Using TRICARE Prime

If you’re enrolled in TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, or TRICARE Young Adult-Prime in the U.S., follow these guidelines when traveling:

If Traveling in the U.S.

  • Get all your routine care before traveling.
  • If you need emergency care, go to an emergency roomThe hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention. or call 911. Note: Call your primary care manager or regional contractor within 24 hours.
  • If you need urgent care, you may visit a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center without a referral, unless you’re an active duty service member in a Prime Service Area.

If Traveling Overseas

  • Get all routine care before traveling.
  • If you need emergency care, go the nearest emergency facility.  
    • Search online or call International SOS to find a provider.
    • Before you leave the facility, contact International SOS Medical Assistance:
      • Eurasia-Africa: +44-20-8762-8133 
      • Latin America and Canada: +1-215-942-8320 
      • Pacific: +61-2-9273-2760
    • If you’re admitted, International SOS will coordinate with the facility for payment and determine if you should be transferred to another facility> International SOS will also coordinate emergency transport, if needed.
  • If you need urgent care, contact the International SOS for a pre-authorization to use urgent care. If you don’t contact the contractor for authorization, you may have to pay the provider up front and file a claim for reimbursement.
    • To find a provider overseas:
      • Search online or call International SOS.
      • Keep a copy of all your receipts—overseas claims require proof of payment.

Filling Prescriptions When Traveling

We recommend that you fill your prescriptions before you travel. But if you need to fill a prescription while traveling, you can:

  • Fill the prescription at the military pharmacy if one is nearby. Call the pharmacy first to see if they have your prescription.
  • Find the closest network pharmacy.
    • Available in the U.S. and most U.S. territories
    • If a network pharmacy isn’t available, you can visit a non-network pharmacy.

Note: TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery isn’t recommended for prescriptions you need right away. If you’re taking a long vacation, you can arrange for any regular prescriptions to be filled via home delivery.

Learn more about your options for filling prescriptions.

Looking for information about the Prime Travel Benefit?

If you're referred for specialty careSpecialized medical/surgical diagnosis, treatment, or services a primary care provider isn’t qualified to provide. more than 100 miles from your primary care manager, you may qualify to have your travel expensesAmounts you pay when traveling to and from your appointment.  This includes mileage, meals, tolls, parking, lodging, local transportation, and tickets for public transportation. reimbursed. >>Learn More

Last Updated 11/20/2024