TRICARE Telehealth Overseas: Coverage, Apps & Costs | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer TRICARE beneficiaries living overseas can access telehealth services, but availability depends on your location, your specific plan, and local country laws. While Active Duty Service Members generally need a referral from their primary care manager, other beneficiaries can often use the TRICARE Overseas contractor's (International SOS) telehealth portal for primary care and mental health without a referral.

Details

Telehealth coverage overseas is managed by the TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) contractor, **International SOS**. Accessing care digitally outside the U.S. is more complex than domestic care due to international licensing laws and data privacy regulations.

### The TOP Telehealth Portal Beneficiaries in the TOP Prime, TOP Prime Remote, and TOP Select plans have access to a dedicated Telehealth Portal. * **Primary Care:** You can consult with a licensed clinician for non-emergency issues like cold/flu, allergies, or skin rashes. * **Mental Health:** This is the most common use of overseas telehealth. It typically includes talk therapy for conditions like anxiety, depression, or stress.

### Referrals and Authorizations (2026 Rules) * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** You **must** have a referral from your Primary Care Manager (PCM) and an authorization from International SOS before using telehealth, even for mental health. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** If enrolled in TOP Prime or TOP Prime Remote, you generally do not need a referral for the first eight outpatient mental health visits per fiscal year, though contacting International SOS first is highly recommended to ensure the provider is "in-network." * **TOP Select:** Beneficiaries can self-refer to any authorized provider, but using the TOP Telehealth Portal usually results in lower or zero out-of-pocket costs.

### Cost Shares and Copays (2026 Rates) Costs are determined by your beneficiary category and plan: * **Group A Active Duty Families:** Typically $0 copay for telehealth through the TOP network. * **Retirees/others (TOP Select):** You may be subject to a deductible and a cost-share (e.g., 20% or 25% of the allowable charge) if you see a provider outside the International SOS portal. * **2026 Plan Year Note:** Always check the current TOP benefit summary, as overseas cost-shares can fluctuate based on currency exchange rates and local provider agreements.

### Important Limitations 1. **Host Nation Laws:** Some countries prohibit the practice of "telemedicine" by providers located outside their borders. International SOS will only connect you with providers who are legally allowed to treat you in your specific country. 2. **Prescriptions:** Not all telehealth providers can write prescriptions that are fillable at overseas military treatment facilities (MTFs) or through the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Express Scripts). 3. **Emergency Care:** Telehealth is never for emergencies. If you have a life-threatening situation overseas, go to the nearest host-nation emergency room.

## Who this affects * Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) stationed OCONUS. * Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs) living overseas. * Retirees and their families living abroad (TOP Select). * TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) members living OCONUS. * Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) beneficiaries overseas.

## Sources * **TRICARE Overseas (International SOS):** [https://www.tricare-overseas.com/](https://www.tricare-overseas.com/) * **TRICARE.mil Telehealth Page:** [https://www.tricare.mil/telehealth](https://www.tricare.mil/telehealth) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [https://health.mil/](https://health.mil/) * **Express Scripts (Pharmacy):** [https://www.express-scripts.com/tricare](https://www.express-scripts.com/tricare)