FALLS CHURCH, Va. –
Do you have an upcoming trip overseas? Whether you’re traveling for work or for fun, TRICARE covers you worldwide. Understanding how your TRICARE plan works when you go abroad helps you be prepared if any health issues arise.
“Most travelers won’t need medical care during their trip, but if you do, you don’t want to be caught off guard by the process,” said Michelle Donnelly, program analyst, TRICARE Overseas Program, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “Taking time to understand your coverage and prepare before leaving will save you stress and confusion if you need care while traveling.”
Check out these tips for preparing for your trip and getting care during your trip.
Before you travel
- Get all routine care (also known as primary care) and specialty care before you travel.
- Check your prescriptions. Make sure you’ll have enough of your medications for your whole trip. Fill or refill your prescriptions before your trip. If you tell your doctor about your upcoming travel, they can authorize up to a 90-day supply. Keep in mind that some prescription drugs that are legal in the U.S. are banned in some countries. Examples can include stimulants and narcotics, as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Pack important documents and information. Bring your Uniformed Services ID card and your proof of TRICARE coverage. Also bring a list of your medical conditions, medications, and emergency contacts.
- Learn your plan’s rules for getting care overseas. Different TRICARE plans have different rules for getting care, including when you get care when traveling.
Getting care while traveling overseas
Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
- The process for getting care when traveling depends on your TRICARE plan and the type of care you need.
- If you get care overseas, you may need to pay for the full cost of this care up front. Save all receipts so you can file a claim for reimbursement.
Emergency care
If you need emergency care, go to the closest emergency facility. If you don’t know where one is located or aren’t sure what to do, you can call the TRICARE Overseas Program contractor,
International SOS, for 24/7 assistance.
Are you using a TRICARE Prime option? If you get care at an emergency facility, call the International SOS Medical Assistance number before you leave. (The number you call is based on which overseas area you’re in.) If you’re admitted, International SOS will coordinate with the facility for payment and determine if you should be transferred to another facility. International SOS will also coordinate emergency transport, if needed.
Urgent care
- TRICARE Prime Options: Try to get urgent care from a military hospital or clinic, when possible. If this isn’t possible, call International SOS for pre-authorization. Without pre-authorization, you may have to pay the provider up front and file a claim for reimbursement.
- All other TRICARE plans: You can get care from any TRICARE-authorized provider. You’ll pay less out of pocket if you see a network provider. To find a TRICARE overseas network provider, use the International SOS TRICARE Overseas Provider Search Tool. You can also call International SOS.
- For health advice: You can call the Global Nurse Advice Line. Nurses are available 24/7. They can help you decide if you need immediate care or if your condition can wait until you return home.
Filling prescriptions while traveling
If you need prescription medication during your trip, you have options:
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery may work for long trips, but don’t use it for medication you need right away.
After your trip
Follow-up care
If you got care while traveling overseas:
- Contact your primary care manager or provider.
- Keep medical records and give them to your PCM or primary care provider.
Filing claims
Did you pay for medical services up front? You can
file a claim for reimbursement.
Be sure to include all required documentation with your completed claim form (DD Form 2642). Required documentation includes itemized bills, receipts, and proof of payment. And be sure to send your claim to the correct claims address:
- If you got care while traveling in a U.S. territory, send your claim to the claims address for your regional contractor.
- If you got care while traveling somewhere else overseas, use the claims address for the location where you got care. You may also be able to file a claim online.
If you have other health insurance or bought travel health insurance, you must file claims with them before filing with TRICARE.
The amount of time you have to file a claim is based on where you got care. You have:
- One year from the date of service to file a claim for care you get in a U.S. territory
- Three years from the date of service to file a claim for care in all other overseas locations
TRICARE will reimburse you based on the TRICARE-allowable charge for the care you got. As noted in the TRICARE Overseas Program Handbook:
- Outside the U.S. and U.S. territories, nonparticipating non-network providers can charge any amount for care.
- You’re responsible for paying any amount above the TRICARE-allowable charge, in addition to your deductible and cost-shares.
If you get a medical bill and you aren’t what to do, contact your TRICARE regional contractor.
By understanding your plan’s rules and planning ahead, you travel with the confidence that TRICARE has you covered. To learn more, check out Getting Care While Traveling.
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