Health Matters (East) Newsletter

East Region Health Matters Newsletter Header image

This quarterly newsletter provides information about your TRICARE benefit. This stateside edition contains information specific to beneficiaries living in the East Region. Check the map to find your region.

Get future issues of this newsletter, plus more news and benefit updates, delivered to your email. Sign up for TRICARE email updates.

Issue 2 | 2025

   

  • Unlock Your Health: How To Get Mental Health Care With TRICARE
    Mental health is a vital part of your overall well-being. Whether you’re having difficulty managing day-to-day stress or navigating more complex challenges, TRICARE offers mental health support when—and where—you need it.

  • Q&A: Your TRICARE Catastrophic Cap
    How many times will you see a medical provider this year? Will your family member need to get urgent care or see a specialist? You can’t always predict your family’s healthcare needs. But you can know the most you could have to pay for TRICARE covered services. TRICARE calls this your catastrophic cap.

  • Getting Prior Authorizations for TRICARE Prescriptions: Your Questions Answered
    When you’re covered by a TRICARE health plan, you also have pharmacy coverage through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. And as with any TRICARE plan, it’s important to know how this program works. You should be familiar with certain terms that can help you make the most of your pharmacy benefit.

    One of those terms is prior authorization.

  • Learn About TRICARE Health Plan Options for Young Adults
    As graduation season arrives, TRICARE-eligible young adults and their family members should understand how this milestone affects their TRICARE health coverage. Here’s what you need to know about TRICARE health plan options for young adults.

  • New TRICARE Drive Time Waiver Policy Makes it Easier To Keep Your Primary Care Manager if You Move
    Are you moving to a new home? Is it more than a 30-minute drive from your primary care manager? If so, TRICARE is making it simpler to keep your TRICARE Prime coverage. Now, most families who live more than 30 minutes but less than 100 miles from their PCM can continue seeing them without taking action.

  • Are You Ready to Quit Smoking, Vaping, or Chewing Tobacco? We're Here To Help
    Ready to quit vaping, smoking cigarettes, or using smokeless tobacco? You aren’t alone; we can help. While many people find quitting nicotine stressful and overwhelming, our nicotine specialists are ready to help you get started with the Commit to Quit program.

  • Claims, Referrals, and Authorizations at Your Fingertips
    Looking to find the status of a referral or authorization? Searching for details on a claim? Here are two easy ways to find what you’re looking for 24/7, or when you’re on the go: the TRICARE East app and the beneficiary self-service tool.

FAQ image

Does TRICARE cover my care when I travel?

Yes. How you get care depends on your plan and where you’re traveling (U.S., U.S. territories, or overseas). To learn more, choose your plan from the list below:

If it’s an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency facility.

If it’s after hours or you’re not sure if you need to see a doctor, check with the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line. It’s available 24/7 by phone, web chat, and video chat.

Note: TRICARE doesn't cover vaccines you need for travel or COVID-19 testing for travel. 

I'm PCSing. What do I need to do?

As the sponsor, whether you PCS by yourself or with your family, before you move make sure to:

  • If you see any civilian medical or dental providers, be sure to ask for copies of your records to take with you.
    • If you have a family, you may request to transfer copies of your family members’ medical records to the military hospital or clinic nearest to your new duty station.
  • Discuss any health care issues with your primary care manager and schedule any routine care and immunizations.
  • Fill your prescriptions to make sure you have enough medication to last throughout your move and immediately after.
  • Check health plans that you may be eligible for. You may have different health plan options when you move. Go to the TRICARE Plan Finder or review the TRICARE Plans Overview.
    • Don’t disenroll from your current plan before moving.

Once you arrive at your next duty station, make sure to:

  • Update your address and contact information in the DEERS.
    • Once you update DEERS, you have 90 days from the date of the move to make changes to your enrollment. PCSing is a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event. A QLE allows you and your eligible family members to enroll in or change your TRICARE health plan outside of TRICARE Open Season.
  • Call the TRICARE contractor to change your region, plan, PCM, or all three.
  • Transfer your eligible prescriptions via home delivery or get your prescription filled at your closest military pharmacy or TRICARE retail network pharmacy.
  • Turn in your medical and dental records to records management. 

Electronic Payment Options

Do you want an easy way to make monthly premium payments? Sign up for electric funds transfer or recurring credit card payments and never miss a due date.

Enroll in EFT, or allotment, payments. It’s the safest way to pay your monthly premiums as we automatically withdraw payments directly from your bank account.

You can also set up recurring credit card payments to pay for your monthly premium, using a credit or debit card.

Learn more and find forms to start making electronic payments. 

Note: Don’t submit payment information via secure mail or chat functions in beneficiary self-service. Only submit payment information online, via mail, or fax.

Last Updated 6/13/2025