Tricare for flood-impacted families and other summer travelers

  • Published
  • By 5th Medical Group public health
  • 5th Medical Group public health
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  To ensure all Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their family's health care needs are met this summer, the 5th Medical Group Tricare Operations and Patient Administration flight would like to remind everyone of some key details when traveling with Tricare Prime.

First and foremost, as a Tricare beneficiary, it is important that all family information contained in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System is current and up to date, especially if traveling outside of the local treatment area.

If not, please visit the Military Personnel Element to ensure the most current information is updated prior to traveling.

If a beneficiary is enrolled in Tricare Prime and is leaving or has already left Minot under the six-month evacuation order, there are different options to consider concerning enrollment.

Whether you remain enrolled at the 5th MDG or change to another medical treatment facility/location, depends to some degree on where the family moves.

If the family has moved to another location within the Tricare West Region, it is recommended that they change their primary care manager to the new local area if planning to be out of the area for more than 30 days.

If moving to a different Tricare region, it is recommended to disenroll from the 5th MDG and re-enroll in the new region. To see which states fall within each Tricare region, visit www.Tricare.mil.
If there is not an MTF in the relocation area, it is recommended the beneficiary remain enrolled at the 5th MDG, or if there is an intention to come back to the Minot area after the evacuation order.

When taking a summer vacation, remember Tricare benefits go wherever the member goes. However, as a Tricare Prime beneficiary, there are still a few things to remember while traveling. Most importantly, if medical attention is required for an emergency (i.e. to save life, limb, eyesight, or prevent undue suffering), call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

For urgent care (e.g. care needed within 24 hours or that which cannot wait for you to return to your local area), first contact your PCM at the 5th MDG for a referral to avoid charges for services rendered.

Please call the appointment line for approval: 723-5633. All other non-emergent/urgent care must take place in another MTF to avoid personal charges. If an MTF is not available, contact the 5th MDG for a referral, or wait to return to the local area. If a pharmaceutical refill is needed while traveling, use any normal Tricare pharmacy option.

For more information on how to best use the pharmacy while traveling, please visit the Tricare website at www.tricare.mil/pharmacy for more information on these options.

If uncertain of benefits while traveling, call 1-888-874-9378, visit the TriWest website at www.triwest.com, or contact the 5th MDG for additional information at 723-5176.