The TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) is the DoD health care program for all geographic areas and territorial waters outside the 50 United States. TOP blends many of the features of the stateside TRICARE programs while also allowing for the significant cultural differences unique to foreign countries and their health care practices.
The TOP consists of three overseas regions: TRICARE Europe, TRICARE Pacific, and TRICARE Latin America and Canada, which includes the Caribbean Basin. Unlike the three regions in the United States—TRICARE North, TRICARE South, and TRICARE West—the overseas regions are managed by overseas regional directors.
Although TRICARE beneficiaries residing overseas are entitled to the same benefits as those living stateside, several differences in the availability of options exist because of the geographical differences. The benefit packages listed below are available overseas:
TOP Prime—Offers TRICARE Prime benefits to active duty service members and their eligible family members residing with their sponsor overseas. There are no enrollment fees, cost-shares, or deductibles for TOP Prime enrollees.
TOP Standard—Identical to the stateside program, including cost-shares and deductibles. Active duty family members living overseas may choose between TOP Prime and TOP Standard. Retirees and their families who live overseas cannot enroll in TOP Prime but are covered under TOP Standard.
TOP TRICARE For Life (TFL)—Available to all beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Because Medicare does not provide benefits for medical care received overseas, TFL coverage is similar to TRICARE Standard overseas.
TRICARE Global Remote Overseas— Provides access to the TRICARE Prime benefit to active duty service members and family members who are assigned to designated duty stations in remote overseas locations where MTFs are not available. Active duty service members and their families must enroll to a designated remote overseas location.
Overseas Pharmacy Services—You may have prescriptions filled at MTF pharmacies in all overseas locations, if the medication is available on the MTF formulary. TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) may be used if you have an APO or FPO address or a state department mail pouch for pharmacy. The prescription must be written by a U.S. licensed provider. Drugs purchased by TOP eligible beneficiaries at overseas embassies may not be covered under TRICARE. The TRICARE retail network pharmacy benefit is available overseas only in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is also available overseas. For more information about TRICARE benefits available overseas, call 1-888-777-8343. All overseas regions may be reached via this telephone number.
