Should You Keep TRICARE Benefits when You Move Abroad?

TRICARE offers health care coverage for active duty personnel, retirees, dependents and survivors. But if you are a retiree planning on moving abroad, should you keep your TRICARE benefits?

How Will Coverage Change?

Beneficiaries who are planning on moving abroad will usually see a change to their TRICARE benefits, even if they move close to a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). TRICARE Prime beneficiaries usually have to change coverage options.

For example, if you are moving to the UK, you will no longer be eligible for TRICARE Prime. According to TRICARE, the only available options are TRICARE for Life, TRICARE Standard Overseas, and TRICARE Young Adult (for those who also need coverage for adult children living with them). Retirees moving to the UK will be seen on a space-available basis at the MTF, but they can be seen by a host nation health care provider at any time. If you are seen by a host nation provider, find out whether payment will be required upfront. Then file a claim with TRICARE for reimbursement if that is the case.

Research Health Care Alternatives

Before you move abroad, it pays to research health care alternatives in the country you are moving to. Look at exactly what is available, what is covered and then make a list of questions you need answered. Do you need to pay upfront for treatment? How will your needs be cared for? Will you require a referral for specialist treatment? Is treatment free?

Many military retirees move to areas where health care is offered free of charge to local residents and citizens. If you move to such an area, you may choose not to make use of your TRICARE benefits at all, or just use them as a backup. Research all your options before reaching a final decision, as you may be in need of extra coverage in future.

Military retirees who are planning to move abroad should not forget to consider their health care options before they leave, even if they are currently in good health. Coverage options will likely change in their new location, with either fewer or greater options than they were used to before. It is important to also research health care alternatives to find out whether you would be better off making exclusive use of the host nation health care services, or if a combination of different services would work best for you and your family.

Source:

TRICARE, Homepage.