Moving to Japan

Before You Arrive

• Complete an overseas screening for yourself and any family members on your orders. Contact the Suitability/Overseas Screening Coordinator or the nearest military hospital or clinic as soon as you have orders.
  • The overseas screening helps ensure local resources can meet your medical and dental needs. If your child has special needs, the screening will also determine if appropriate resources will be available. It’s required for command sponsorship.
  • This screening guides you through recommended vaccines for Japan. You may choose to start the Japanese encephalitis vaccine before you leave the U.S.
• Don’t disenroll from your current TRICARE health plan before moving. Update your plan when you arrive.
• Fill your prescriptions to ensure you have enough medication to last throughout your move and immediately after you arrive at your new location.
• Get routine health services before you move. It’s one less thing to do once you arrive in Japan.
• If you see civilian medical or dental providers, be sure to ask for copies of your records to take with you. 

Military Hospitals and Clinics in Japan

• Military hospitals and clinics offer the kind of high-quality care you’re used to stateside. They’re staffed by healthcare professionals who understand your unique needs.
• Active duty service members and command-sponsored family members have first priority when booking appointments.
• Appointments may be offered to non-TRICARE beneficiaries if space is available. But these slots can be limited and offered on short notice.
• You can see which specialtiesA branch of medicine or surgery that a doctor specializes in. a military hospital or clinic offers by checking out its website:

• The 18^th Medical Group in Kadena
• The 35^th Medical Group in Misawa
• The 374^th Medical Group in Yokota
• U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka
• U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa
• Army Health Clinic BG Crawford F. Sams on Camp Zama in Kanagawa

Pharmacy Benefits in Japan

• All DOD personnel and their family members can fill prescriptions at military pharmacies if they have a prescription in English from a provider licensed in the U.S.
• You can only use TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery if you have an APO/FPO/DPO address.
• If you use a Japanese pharmacy, you’ll need to pay the costs up front. To get reimbursed, you’ll need to file claims with the contractor.

Dental Benefits in Japan

• Are you enrolled in the TRICARE Dental Program? Your dental coverage moves with you. After you’ve moved, use the Find a Dentist tool to find a network dentist near you. You can also call the TDP contractor, United Concordia, for help and to share your new address and contact information.
• Active duty service members generally get dental care at military dental clinics. Family members can only use military dental facilities if space is available.
• If you have dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, reach out to your dental plan administrator for guidance.

Choosing a TRICARE Plan When You Arrive in Japan

• Update your address in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Any changes you make to your health plan will take effect after your address change shows in DEERS.
• Your PCS is a Qualifying Life Event. This means you have 90 days to change your TRICARE plan. Here are your options if you’re:
  • A command-sponsored active duty family member: TRICARE Prime Overseas, TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas, or TRICARE Select Overseas.
  • Not command-sponsored: TRICARE Select Overseas.
  • A retiree: TRICARE Select Overseas or TRICARE For Life.

TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Retired Reserve, and TRICARE Young Adult are available overseas as well. It may be helpful to compare plans once you arrive.

Setting Up Care When You Arrive

• If you need to use Japanese health care, the TRICARE Overseas Program Regional Call Center can help you set up care. You can also use the TOP Provider Search.
• Each overseas area also has a TRICARE Area Office that can work with you and the regional contractor to address questions regarding your health care.
• You can visit the TRICARE Service Center at your military hospital or clinic. They’ll help make sure you’re ready to begin getting healthcare services in your new home. Military hospitals and clinics also have customer service staff that can help you navigate your care.
• TRICARE’s overseas regional contractor, International SOS, offers a web-based portal to help you access a range of services. You can also use the MyCare Overseas app to:

• Verify coverage.
• Schedule appointments.
• Access health authorizations.
• Learn how to receive important follow-up care.
• Find local providers.
• Translate medical information.
• TRICARE Overseas Prime and TRICARE Overseas Prime Remote beneficiaries can also use the Near Patient Program.

Health Records

• If you received civilian care stateside, bring your records to a military hospital or clinic.
• Check out “Maintaining Your Military Health Records Overseas” in the TRICARE Newsroom for more tips about your health records.

The Japanese Health System

Will you be getting care in the Japanese health system? Keep these things in mind:

• Arrive for your appointment on time.
• Demonstrate respect for your healthcare team. Be calm and quiet in your interactions.
• Always bring your official passport with the current Status of Forces Agreement stamp to your appointments.

Full payment may be required up front. You can submit a claim to your health insurance provider for reimbursement. If you don’t have a TRICARE plan, check if your plan offers cashless, claimless benefits to simplify the process.

Emergency Care

• Anyone with base access can go to a military emergency roomThe hospital department that provides emergency services to patients who need immediate medical attention..
• To access emergency care, dial 1-1-9 off the installation and 911 on the installation.
• In Japan, you can’t walk directly into an emergency room. Calling 1-1-9 will ensure you’re routed to the correct facility.

Virtual Care

• The Defense Health Agency is committed to expanding access to telemedicine appointments. But there are some specific rules when getting telemedicine care overseas. Check out “Getting Telemedicine Care Overseas With TRICARE” in the TRICARE Newsroom to learn more.
• BRAVE is DHA’s telemental health program. It provides virtual mental health services to ADSMs and their family members at certain military hospitals and clinics, both stateside and overseas.
• Need health advice? The Military Health System Nurse Advice Line is available to beneficiaries in Japan 24/7.