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Overseas members get more health care options

Active-duty members overseas who have urgent medical needs can now use Tricare’s overseas contractor facilities, even if they are near a military treatment facility.

Previously, active-duty members within 40 miles or an hour’s drive of a military treatment facility had to go to that facility for urgent care, defined as medical attention for a condition that does not threaten life or limb but could become more serious if not treated.

“The expanded coverage closes the gap for service members who need immediate medical assistance, particularly during late evening and early morning hours when overseas MTFs may be less than fully staffed,” said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of the Tricare Management Activity.

In an emergency, service members should go to the closest emergency care facility or call the Tricare Global Remote Overseas contractor, International SOS. The contractor’s urgent care centers, called Alarm Centers, are available in all three Tricare areas overseas.

If an MTF is nearby, it still will have first right of acceptance in urgent care cases. The Tricare overseas contractor will contact the MTF before treatment to see if the service member can be accommodated at the MTF.

Only family members who are enrolled in Tricare Global Remote Overseas are eligible to use the Alarm Centers in an emergency overseas, said Tricare spokesman Chris Hober. Active-duty family members who are visiting overseas, or those who live overseas but are not command-sponsored, are not eligible for any Tricare Prime options overseas. They can’t use the Alarm Center. Their option is Tricare Standard.

Also, family members enrolled in Tricare Overseas Prime at an MTF, or any Tricare Prime option in the states are not allowed to use the Alarm Center overseas. If they travel overseas on vacation, they must pay up front for care, in most cases, and file a claim for reimbursement. The claim is filed with the Tricare Overseas claims processor if enrolled at an MTF overseas. It is filed with their managed care support contractor if they are stateside.