No matter where you’re traveling this summer, make sure your TRICARE plan has you covered. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, it’s important to know what guidelines to follow in case of an emergency, prescription refills, etc. In this blog, we discuss TRICARE’s coverage when traveling, rules for various plans, and more.
TRICARE Has Got Your Back
The good news is, TRICARE does cover beneficiaries while traveling, however, the rules for getting care depend on your plan and where you’re traveling. Let’s look at the guidelines for the TRICARE Prime plan.
TRICARE Prime, Prime Remote, or Young Adult-Prime
If you’re traveling to somewhere in the U.S., make sure you get all your routine care before traveling as it may not be covered while you’re away. Secondly, if you require emergency care, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Be sure to call your primary care manager (PCM) or regional contractor within 24 hours. And lastly, if you need urgent care (care needed for non-emergency illness or injury), you can visit a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center without needing a referral.
If your travels take you overseas, like domestic travel, ensure all your routine care is planned before traveling. For emergencies, find the nearest emergency facility by searching online or calling International SOS. If you’re admitted, International SOS will coordinate with the facility on payment, transfers, etc. Lastly, if you need urgent care, call the overseas contractor for a pre-authorization to use urgent care. If you skip this step, you may be responsible for paying the provider and having to file a reimbursement claim.
If you need prescriptions while traveling, it’s recommended to get any prescriptions filled before you travel, however, we understand that sometimes you need a prescription filled while you’re away. If that’s the case, then you can fill your prescription at a nearby military pharmacy or find the closest network pharmacy.
TRICARE Select
With TRICARE Select, you have more flexibility, specifically the same flexibility when traveling as you do at home. If you’re traveling domestically, you can visit any TRICARE-authorized provider (you’ll save money if you find one in-network). However, you may need to pay up front for the care and file a claim for reimbursement.
If you’re traveling overseas, you can visit any overseas provider. Just make sure you keep a copy of any receipts for proof of payment for claims and reimbursement.
To learn more about all TRICARE’s plans’ guidelines for traveling, visit TRICARE’s website and select your plan.
TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit
TRICARE also offers Prime Travel Benefit (PTB), which reimburses reasonable travel expenses for a qualified trip with a TRICARE Prime plan. This benefit applies when a beneficiary needs medical care at a location more than 100 miles away (one way) from their PCM’s office. Reimbursement expenses include meals, parking, tolls, gas, lodging, public transportation tickets, and mileage.
Don’t Leave for Your Next Trip Unprepared
No one wants to think of catching any illnesses or getting injured while on vacation, but it can happen, and you don’t want to be unprepared if it does. Be sure to research what your TRICARE plan’s guidelines for travel are and research the nearest ERs, urgent care centers, and military/network pharmacies. If you’re traveling overseas, ensure you have the correct International SOS number for your corresponding country on hand.
GEA Travels with You
GEA’s TRICARE Supplemental Insurance comes with you on your travels. Our comprehensive coverage wraps around your current TRICARE plan to help ease the burden of medical bills TRICARE doesn’t cover – even if you’re traveling. Now you can enjoy your next trip worry-free. Learn more about becoming a GEA member and all the benefits by visiting our website.
