TRICARE While on TDY: Coverage & Care Guide (2026) | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer When you are on Temporary Duty (TDY) for less than 30 days, your TRICARE coverage remains the same as it is at your permanent duty station. You should continue to seek non-emergency care through your primary care manager (PCM) or home region, though emergency care is covered anywhere.

Details

### Medical Care While TDY If you are on TDY status, you are still considered "assigned" to your home duty station for TRICARE purposes.

* **Emergency Care:** If you have a true medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need prior authorization, but you (or your supervisor) must notify your PCM or regional contractor within 24 hours or the next business day. * **Urgent Care:** If you are TRICARE Prime, you generally need a referral from your PCM to seek urgent care while TDY to avoid "point-of-service" charges. However, Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) should always try to use a military hospital or clinic if one is available at their TDY location. * **Routine Care:** You should postpone routine, elective, or follow-up care until you return to your permanent duty station. TRICARE typically will not authorize routine checks or elective procedures while you are in a temporary travel status.

### Pharmacy and Prescriptions If you forget your medication or run out while TDY, you have three primary options: 1. **Military Pharmacy:** The most cost-effective option. Use the TRICARE MTF locator to find one near your TDY site. 2. **Retail Network Pharmacy:** You can use a local pharmacy in the Express Scripts network. In 2026, most ADSMs have a $0 copay for covered drugs at retail network pharmacies, but ensure your prescription is on file or transferred correctly. 3. **Non-Network Pharmacy:** Avoid this if possible, as you will likely have to pay the full price upfront and file a claim for partial reimbursement.

### Travel Over 30 Days If your "temporary" duty is actually a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or a TDY-to-School lasting more than 30 days, you may be eligible to enroll in TRICARE Prime at your new location. This involves "transferring enrollment" to the new region (East or West) to ensure you have a local PCM.

### Regional Contractors (2026) * **TRICARE East:** Managed by Humana Military. * **TRICARE West:** Managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. * **Overseas:** Managed by International SOS.

If your TDY takes you from the East Region to the West Region, your "home" contractor (Humana) remains responsible for your authorizations, but you may need to coordinate with TriWest if you are seen at a facility in their network.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Primary group affected; must coordinate all non-emergency care. * **National Guard and Reserve:** If on active duty orders for more than 30 days and traveling on TDY. * **TRICARE Prime Remote Enrollees:** Those traveling from remote areas to other locations for temporary assignments.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: Traveling with TRICARE - https://www.tricare.mil/travel * Defense Health Agency (DHA): TRICARE Plans - https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/TRICARE-Health-Plan * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region): https://www.triwest.com * Humana Military (East Region): https://www.humanamilitary.com