TRICARE Travel Coverage: ER, Urgent Care & Tips

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## Quick answer When traveling, your TRICARE coverage goes with you, but how you access care depends on your plan and the severity of the issue. Emergency care is covered anywhere in the world, while urgent care usually requires an authorization for Prime members but not for Select members. Always keep your prescriptions filled before you leave and contact your regional contractor (Humana Military or TriWest) if you are hospitalized during your trip.

In detail

### Emergency Care In a true medical emergency—defined as a threat to life, limb, or sight—go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need prior authorization. However, if you are admitted to a hospital, you or a family member must notify your regional contractor (Humana Military in the East, TriWest in the West, or International SOS overseas) within 24 hours or the next business day.

### Urgent Care (Non-Emergency) Rules for urgent care (illnesses or injuries that aren't life-threatening but need attention within 24 hours) vary by plan:

* **TRICARE Prime (and Prime Remote):** Active duty service members (ADSMs) always need a referral for urgent care. Other Prime enrollees can typically seek urgent care at a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center without a referral, though it is recommended to call the Nurse Advice Line (NAL) first. * **TRICARE Select:** You can visit any TRICARE-authorized urgent care center or provider without a referral. * **Point-of-Service (POS) Option:** If you are on Prime and seek non-emergency care from a non-network provider without a referral, you will likely trigger POS charges. For 2026, these include a $300 deductible for individuals and significantly higher cost-shares (usually 50% of the TRICARE allowable charge).

### Managing Prescriptions Before traveling, ensure you have enough medication. * **Domestic Travel:** Use a TRICARE retail network pharmacy or Express Scripts. * **International Travel:** You may need to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions at overseas pharmacies and file a claim for reimbursement. Note that the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy is generally not available for delivery to foreign addresses (except APO/FPO).

### Regional Contractor Contact Info Effective Jan 1, 2025, the T-5 contract changed the landscape for West Region beneficiaries. * **East Region (Humana Military):** Covers the eastern U.S. * **West Region (TriWest Healthcare Alliance):** Covers the western U.S. * **Overseas (International SOS):** Provides support for those traveling outside the 50 United States.

## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members:** Must have all care (except emergencies) coordinated by their PCM and need travel orders if seeking care while away from their duty station. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Generally have the most flexibility; Prime members can use the Nurse Advice Line for urgent care guidance. * **Retirees & Families:** Must be aware of Point-of-Service fees if enrolled in Prime and seeing unauthorized providers while traveling. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** When traveling domestically, Medicare is primary. When traveling overseas, TRICARE becomes primary as Medicare does not provide coverage outside the U.S.

Common scenarios

**Scenario 1: The Prime Family on Road Trip** The Miller family (TRICARE Prime, Group A) is traveling from Texas to Florida. Their child develops a severe ear infection. They call the Nurse Advice Line, which directs them to a network urgent care center in Orlando. Because they are Prime family members, their copay is $0 (2026 rates) at the network facility.

**Scenario 2: The Select Retiree International Trip** A retired Navy veteran on TRICARE Select travels to Italy. He suffers a minor fall and visits a local Italian clinic. He pays $250 USD out-of-pocket. Upon returning home, he files a claim with International SOS. TRICARE reimburses the allowable amount minus his Select deductible and cost-share.

**Scenario 3: Active Duty Emergency** An active duty soldier in the West Region (TriWest) is visiting family in New York (East Region) and is involved in a car accident. He is taken to a local ER. His care is fully covered as an emergency, but he must notify his CO and his home PCM as soon as he is stabilized to ensure his medical records and follow-up care are managed.

## Related terms * **Nurse Advice Line (NAL):** A 24/7 toll-free service where registered nurses provide medical guidance and can help Prime members book urgent care appointments. * **Point-of-Service (POS):** An option for Prime enrollees to see any provider without a referral, resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs. * **Authorized Provider:** A doctor or facility that is licensed by the state and meets TRICARE's requirements for care delivery. * **International SOS:** The contractor responsible for administering TRICARE benefits to those living or traveling outside the United States. * **Allowable Charge:** The maximum amount TRICARE will pay for a covered health care service.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil Travel Guide: https://www.tricare.mil/travel * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): https://www.triwest.com * Humana Military (East Region): https://www.humanamilitary.com * TRICARE Pharmacy (Express Scripts): https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/