Tricare for Life information
I spent some time tracking down accurate information about Tricare for Life and if it applies globally. The short answer is yes, it does. For medical emergencies In countries like Africa, it is better to go to a military base like Mandasa, Manda Bay or possibly Wajir. But, you can use whatever medical assistance that is available. You pay and submit for reimbursement when you get home. I got all that information by speaking to Tricare for Life on the telephone- 866-773-0404.
Even better than that information, I found a website with a contact link (https://tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs/OverseasResources). They responded to my questions quickly. Page 9 of the attachment is the most applicable document. This is the email they sent me:
USARMY Sembach MEDCOM RHC-E Mailbox TEOWeb TAO-EA usarmy.sembach.medcom-rhc-e.mbx.teoweb-tao-ea@mail.mil
Attachments7:13 AM (2 hours ago)
to me
Good Morning/Afternoon.
Thank You for contacting the TRICARE Overseas Area Office Eurasia-Africa.
When beneficiaries are traveling they usually request a signed TRICARE Coverage Letter from our office for their record or meet the countries requirement to prove they have medical insurance.
If you would like the coverage letter please provide your DODID and country you are visiting so we can generate a letter to send to your email.
This is correct you will have to pay upfront and then request reimbursement. Save invoice and payment receipt.
Please know Medicare will not cover you while overseas for TRICARE for Life receiving a care overseas $150 per person or $300 for the family deducible plus 25% of remaining charges. The CAP is $3000 per calendar year.
In Africa quality medical care may be limited, you would reach out to International SOS the overseas to assist with Healthcare finder 877-562-9228 is not a toll-free number that can be dialed from the U.S.
Also, please see attached TRICARE information to help with additional questions.
The TRICARE Overseas Program handbook, TRICARE Covered Service Fact Sheet, and TFL Cost-sheet which provide further information regarding coverage under the TRICARE benefit that many of our beneficiaries use in conjunction with the signed Coverage letter when applying for visa and resident permits.
Note if these items do not meet the country's requirement you may need to purchase additional healthcare coverage to meet their requirement.
v/r
HEIDI L. TORRES(TC)CURRY, MSgt, USAF
TRICARE Overseas Program Specialist (TOPS)/Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA)
Sembach, Germany
Please note the TRICARE Area Office Eurasia-Africa is located in Germany and not a 24/7 operation
Comments
Sounds difficult for a sudden emergency health situation, not even available 24/7. $3000 wont cover much. Are you think of this instead of Tauck insurance?
I think the $3000 is an out of pocket maximum.
I believe the $3000 "cap" is the max you'd have to pay per year in deductables, etc not the maximum of medical care paid for.
I found this useful since we're TFL beneficiaries along with our Medicare advantage plan which covers nothing overseas. For the 4 flaggers, this is important travel information for some of us. Please remove your flag.
Thanx Carabeth
@British We do have the Tauck insurance. I am just a worrier. There is a Pavlus Tauck Facebook group. In that group many travelers are voicing their discontent with Tauck. It was not specifically about the Africa trip. I was just alarmed when one lady was telling about having Tauck insurance, becoming quite ill on a recent trip and that the insurance is only paying a small amount compared to what it actually cost them. I could see how that might happen. Anyway, I decided that I am not going to worry about that. Everyone in this discussion group who has gone this summer has had a wonderful trip. I can't wait for ours! One month from today!
You will have the trip of your lifetime and then you will ask yourself why you worried so much. I know it's easier said than done; but don't worry about things you cannot control. I learned that after having cancer and I'm young.
We, too, are TFL and while I knew the general details, this information is much more detailed and reassuring. The idea of getting a coverage letter is also something we'll pursue before our October Jordan & Egypt trip.
We also always have some form of travel insurance as well.
Thanks, CaraBethP.
CaraBeth I have heard of that travel forum.
I have heard good things about about getting reimbursement from the Tauck insurance.
I wonder if this woman had other insurance. For instance, if she was under the age of 65, then her regular Health insurance would have come into play and the Tauck insurance would only kick in if other insurance didn’t fully cover the costs. I’d want to know the full story before making a judgement. When I was working and was asked a few to,es to look into ‘events’ it so often was not as described or a can of worms was opened.
Anyway, as long as you have insurance, it is the safest bet
For those who are in TRICARE (any version), I discovered that you could get the coverage letter immediately generated on-line:
Get Proof of TRICARE Coverage
The "Proof of Insurance" feature on milConnect lets you generate, save, and print an Eligibility Letter that provides proof of current health care coverage under TRICARE.
Sponsors can access Eligibility Letters for themselves and for their eligible family members
Family members can access only their own Eligibility Letters.
Online Request
Log in to milConnect.
Click on the “Obtain proof of health coverage” button.
Or click on Correspondence/Documentation and choose "Proof of Coverage."
Your coverage letter will be generated and available for download.
The letter will only reflect current TRICARE eligibility for all family members selected.