Foreign Force Members and Families

Are you a Foreign Force Member? If so, then you and your family members can get care in the U.S. through the Department of Defense (DoD). Your eligibility for health care depends on the type of agreement between your country and the DoD.

To be considered a foreign force member, you must:

• Be from countries that participate in one or more of the following:
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
  • NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
  • Partnership for Peace Agreement (PfP)
    • PfP SOFA
    • PfP no SOFA
  • Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)
• Be in the U.S. on military orders, conducting business with the DoD
• Be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting Systems (DEERS) 
• Have a valid military ID card 

If your country doesn’t have a health care agreement with the DoD, you should work with your military attaché or embassy for help with getting health care.

Where Do I Get Care?

You and your family members may be eligible for care from:

• Military hospitals and clinics
• TRICARE-authorized network providers

Military hospitals and clinics

Once you and your family members register in DEERS and receive your CAC or USID cards, you’ll need to register at a military hospital or clinic.

After you register, there are a number of ways to make an appointment. You can:

• Call a central appointment line
• Call the clinic directly
• Make an appointment using the Secure Patient Portal

TRICARE-authorized network providers

If you’re covered under SOFA or PfP, you and your family members may be able to get outpatient services from private sector providers. Inpatient services aren’t covered. If you’re eligible to get private sector outpatient services, you must:

• Get a referral from your military hospital or clinic
• Get an authorization from your regional contractor or Military Medical Support Office (MMSO) at DHA Great Lakes
• Go to the provider listed

    If you don’t have a referral or authorization in place, then you’ll be responsible for the full cost of your care.

Family members don’t need a referral or authorization. Family members:

• Should see a TRICARE-authorized providerAn authorized provider is any individual, institution/organization, or supplier that is licensed by a state, accredited by national organization, or meets other standards of the medical community, and is certified to provide benefits under TRICARE. There are two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: Network and Non-Network. DS
• Pay TRICARE Select active duty family member Group BIf you or your sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurs on or after January 1, 2018, are in Group B. DS cost-shares and copayments. >>View TRICARE Select costs

TRICARE doesn’t cover private sector care if you’re from a country without an RHCA. You’re responsible for the full cost of your care.

Will I Have Pharmacy Coverage?

You and your family members have pharmacy coverage with the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. You can:

• Fill your prescriptions for free at a military pharmacy.

NATO and PfP family members may be able to:

• Fill some of your prescriptions at a TRICARE retail network pharmacy.
• Use TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery.

Will I Have Dental Coverage?

Dental coverage is separate from TRICARE’s medical coverage. Foreign force members get dental care from their nearest military dental treatment facility (DTF). Family members can get dental care from a DTF if space is available.

If you seek private sector dental care, you’re responsible for the costs.

You and your family members aren’t eligible to purchase coverage under the TRICARE Dental Program.