Moving with TRICARE Made Easy

If you will soon be making a stateside permanent change of station (PCS) move, there are several things that you need to consider to ensure that your TRICARE coverage remains intact.

Fill prescriptions and schedule routine physicals, well-child care or immunizations well before you leave. This is particularly important if you or a covered family member is pregnant, has a chronic condition, is undergoing physical therapy or is under the care of a specialist. If you’re taking medication for a long-term illness, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma, use the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy program, local military treatment facility (MTF) pharmacy or a TRICARE retail network pharmacy to fill prescriptions and guarantee you have enough medication to last throughout your move.

Discuss your ongoing health care needs with your current primary care manager (PCM) or specialist to ensure the care you require is available at your next duty station. Your current providers may be able to call your new MTF or civilian PCM to discuss this.

Have your MTF’s or civilian PCM’s telephone number available in case you need a referral while you’re on the road. If you get nonemergency treatment while traveling and you don’t have a referral, you’ll be using the TRICARE point of service option, which has higher out-of-pocket costs.

 

Ask your civilian PCM and dentist for copies of your medical records prior to moving. You may be charged an administrative fee for copies of your records. Your new MTF or PCM may also be able to request these records for you without charge. These records are vital to helping new providers understand your medical history.

Call Humana Military or visit your local MTF or TRICARE Service Center to ensure that your family’s information is current in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). This will prevent problems if you or your family members need care while en route to your new destination.

Determine whether TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote (TPR) or TRICARE Standard will work best once you move. If you have a family member with special needs, coordinate care with the appropriate Exceptional Family Member Program office so his or her needs will continue to be met.

Disenrolling from a TRICARE Prime option before you get to your new duty station will change your coverage to TRICARE Standard, resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs. Your family will be subject to the 20th-of-the-month rule when you reenroll and you may experience a lapse in TRICARE Prime coverage. For more information on the 20th-of-the-month rule, refer to your TRICARE Prime Handbook or contact Humana Military.

You’ll continue to be covered by your current MTF and regional contractor until new enrollment applications are submitted. Your current MTF/civilian PCM, or civilian primary provider if enrolled in TPR, will coordinate your care.