When you move, keeping organized is key. Between the boxes and bubble wrap, take time to make sure your TRICARE benefits are ready to come along. “TRICARE is available worldwide, but you’ll probably have new medical providers, and depending on where you’re going, your plan options may change,” said Kathryn McGuire, Managed Care Support Program Branch, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. “You’ll need to do a few things to make sure your care needs are met in your new location.” When it comes to moving, no matter which TRICARE plan you have:
Here are a few steps you can follow on your journey from getting ready, to arriving at your new location. Getting ready to move 1. Check out TRICARE’s Moving page Moving has a wealth of information to help you during your move. The page has unique guides for each TRICARE health plan covering action steps and possible eligibility changes. Depending on where you’re going, the moving page has steps to take if you’re moving:
2. Explore your health plan options Unless you have a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, you’re only allowed to change health plans during TRICARE Open Season. Moving is a QLE if you’re going to a new country, city, region, or ZIP+4 code. If your move is a QLE, the TRICARE health plans available to you may be different. For example, your eligibility for TRICARE Prime can change based on your status and where you are moving. If you need help, the Plan Finder will show you which plans may be available in your new location. If you don’t know which plan is right for you, use the Compare Plans Tool to compare the features of different plans side by side. 3. Get care Before you move, catch up on any routine care and specialty care you need. As always, discuss any ongoing health issues and prescriptions with your current primary care manager, primary care provider, or specialist, and let them know where you’re going so they can help. 4. Check your referrals Active referrals are still valid after you move, but you’ll need to call your current location’s regional contractor to request a transfer of your referrals to the regional contractor for your new location. Referrals won’t transfer unless you or your provider make the request. 5. Ask for your health records and out-process if you’re a service member If you see any civilian medical or dental providers, ask for copies of your records to take with you, or request a records transfer to a new provider, if known. Talk to your provider for more information on requesting and transferring records. If you’re a service member under permanent change of station orders, make sure that you out-process at your military hospital or clinic. You can also request to transfer your family members’ health records to the military hospital or clinic at your new duty station. 6. Fill prescriptions before you go Make sure you have enough of your medication to last during and immediately after your move. Learn more about filling prescriptions. After you move 1. Update your contact information Update your address and contact information in DEERS right after you move. Up-to-date DEERS records are vital to accessing your TRICARE benefits. An old address can cause issues with eligibility, claims, billing, authorization letters for referrals, and filling prescriptions. Learn how to update your DEERS record. For many TRICARE plans, you’ll also need to update your contact information with the regional contractor for your new location if the contractor is different there. Regardless of whether you’re changing TRICARE regions, if you pay enrollment fees or premiums, check with your regional contractor if you need to update your payment method. Go to Moving and click on the TRICARE plan you had in your old location to learn what to do. Note: You don’t need to do this if you have TRICARE For Life, as described in the TRICARE For Life Handbook. Are you enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program? You should contact the TDP contractor, United Concordia, to update your contact information. Retired service members and their families should contact https://www.benefeds.com/, who administers their dental benefit. 2. Change your health plan within 90 days Are you no longer eligible for the same TRICARE health plan you had before you moved? If so, you must enroll in a new health plan within 90 days of updating your address in DEERS. After 90 days, you can only enroll in a plan after another TRICARE QLE or during TRICARE Open Season. If you miss this deadline, your options are limited until next open season. You’ll only be eligible for care at a military hospital or clinic, if space is available. 3. Choose a new primary care manager or find a provider If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, you may need to choose a new primary care manager. Once you set up your enrollment with your new regional contractor, you can ask the contractor to help you find a provider. The contractor may also be able to help make your first appointment with a new specialist. If you have a different TRICARE plan, you can also use the Find a Doctor Tool to search for a new provider. If you’re looking for providers in the U.S., be sure to enter the ZIP code for your new location to access the right provider directory. 4. Update your TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery mailing address Do you get prescriptions through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery? Be sure to update your mailing address with the TRICARE Pharmacy Program contractor, Express Scripts. Keep in mind that there are different rules for using home delivery outside the U.S. and U.S. territories. Are you displaced back to the U.S.? If you were recently displaced from an overseas duty station or your home abroad, you’re still covered by TRICARE. Learn more about getting care if you’ve been displaced back to the U.S. If you’re permanently relocating, be sure to update your address and other personal information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System after you move. Moving is a big job. Updating your TRICARE coverage information after the move will help you and your family have a smooth transition to your new home.