Humana Military Healthcare Services TRICARE Health Matters Issue 3:2006 Article 10

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Don’t Let a Permanent Change of Station Interrupt Your Coverage (Article 10)

For many uniformed services members and their families, packing up for yet another relocation is a routine exercise. But how easy is it to move one’s medical coverage? And how do you make sure that your benefits are valid during the 30-day travel leave period while making a permanent change of station (PCS) move?

“Military families are constantly on the go, and when we move, we want to be confident that our health care benefit goes with us,” says Director of TRICARE Prime Operations Lt. Col. Guy Strawder, U.S. Army. “TRICARE Prime is portable, which means you can easily transfer your enrollment when you are reassigned.”

Lt. Col. Strawder suggests following the steps outlined below to ensure continued health care coverage during a travel leave period and subsequent PCS, whether you are moving to a nearby state or overseas.

Before you leave, ensure the sponsor’s and each family member’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) records are updated. Also, familiarize yourself with the new regional contractor if you are relocating to a new region.

Stay enrolled. Do not disenroll before you arrive at your next duty station. Your former primary care manager (PCM) remains responsible for your care until you enroll at your next duty station.

Enroll yourself and each family member at a new military treatment facility (MTF) or TRICARE network PCM shortly after you arrive at your new duty station. “This priority is right up there with securing housing and checking on arrival of your household goods,” emphasizes Lt. Col. Strawder. If you are moving to a new region, contact the new regional contractor and fill out the necessary forms (including the TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form to select a new PCM) to avoid a lapse in coverage. If you are moving overseas, family members must be listed on orders as command-sponsored in order to be eligible for TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Prime, TRICARE Global Remote Overseas or TRICARE Prime Puerto Rico.

If you are staying in the same region and will need to change your PCM as a result of relocation, you must complete the TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form. This form is available on each regional contractor’s Web site.

North Region—Health Net Federal Services
West Region—TriWest
Overseas—TRICARE Overseas

Plan ahead for routine care and prescriptions.

For care that cannot wait until you transfer, contact your PCM to coordinate a referral. Without this referral, you may pay significantly higher out-of-pocket costs under the TRICARE Prime point-of-service (POS) option or, even worse, your claim may be denied (for more about POS charges, access the TRICARE fact sheet.

For emergency care, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call “911.” Emergency care does not require a referral before treatment. You should notify your PCM within 24 hours after receiving emergency care or being admitted to the hospital so that your PCM can help manage and coordinate your care. You should also notify your regional contractor within 24 hours or by the next business day of an emergency inpatient admission.

For additional information regarding TRICARE coverage during a PCS, visit the TRICARE Web site.

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Last Reviewed: December 4, 2007