Courtesy Photo | Through the expanded Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian Employees in...... read more read more
The Department of War has extended and expanded the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian Employees in Japan, reaffirming its commitment to securing high-quality healthcare navigation and mitigating upfront medical costs for its overseas civilian workforce and their families.
The contract extension, awarded to International SOS Government Services, Inc., begins Sept. 30, 2026, and runs through Sept. 29, 2027. In direct response to feedback from the DOW civilians, eligibility is now expanded to include authorized dependents of DOW civilian employees, provided they are enrolled in a participating Federal Employee Health Benefit plan.
"Our civilian workforce is a cornerstone of our operational readiness and mission success in Japan," said Anthony J. Tata, undersecretary of war for personnel and readiness. "This pilot program has proven to be an invaluable resource, providing crucial healthcare navigation and eliminating upfront costs for our personnel. By extending this contract and expanding coverage to include dependents, we are ensuring our families in Japan receive the support and peace of mind they need to focus on their vital mission."
The pilot program, which originally launched on Jan. 1, 2025, was designed to provide no-cost supplemental health support services to DOW civilian employees. The program addresses longstanding challenges in navigating Japan’s healthcare system and managing upfront medical costs. In response to DOW civilian employee feedback, the program previously added interpreter services to address language barriers and improve access to care.
Alongside the expansion of eligibility to dependents and as part of the contract extension, the program is updating call center hours. Beginning Sept. 30, 2026, the bilingual call center will operate Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Japan Standard Time.
To participate in the pilot, DOW civilian employees and their dependents must be enrolled in one of the following participating FEHB plans:
Nonappropriated Fund employees and their dependents in Japan are also eligible if enrolled in Aetna International and should coordinate support through their insurance carrier first.
Officials issued a critical reminder that participants must remain current on any outstanding copayments, deductibles, or cost-share balances. Failure to maintain current payments may result in the restriction or suspension of services under the pilot program until the outstanding balances are resolved.
Eligible employees and families are encouraged to contact International SOS prior to scheduling nonemergency appointments to coordinate the following services with Japanese providers:
For more information, participants can visit their local military hospital or clinic website or contact the International SOS call center directly:
Further details, including updated enrollment information and program enhancements, will be released ahead of the upcoming Federal Benefits Open Season, which starts Nov. 11, 2026.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2026 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 574418 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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