TRICARE Travel Insurance: Coverage While Traveling | TRICARE.com

TRICARE is not travel insurance in the traditional sense, but it does provide worldwide coverage for emergency and urgent care. While you do not need to buy a separate policy for medical emergencies, TRICARE does not cover travel-related costs like trip cancellation, lost luggage, or non-medical emergency evacuation.

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. Visit TRICARE.mil for official policy and real-time updates.*

Details

When traveling, your TRICARE coverage travels with you, but the rules for how you access care depend on your plan and your destination.

### Emergency and Urgent Care If you have a medical emergency (threat to life, limb, or eyesight), go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need prior authorization. For urgent care (non-emergencies that require attention within 24 hours), the rules depend on your status: * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** You must always attempt to contact your Primary Care Manager (PCM) or the Nurse Advice Line first. If you receive care without a referral, even while traveling, you may face out-of-pocket costs. * **Active Duty Family Members & Retirees:** If you are enrolled in a Prime plan, you usually have two "point-of-service" urgent care visits per year, but TRICARE policy often allows unlimited urgent care visits at network providers without a referral. If traveling overseas, contact **International SOS** for coordination.

### Traveling Overseas (Outside the U.S.) TRICARE Select provides the most flexibility for international travel, as you can see any authorized provider. However, you will likely have to pay the full cost upfront and file a claim for reimbursement later. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL):** TFL acts as the secondary payer to Medicare in the U.S. However, Medicare does not provide coverage outside the U.S. and its territories. When traveling abroad, TRICARE becomes the primary payer. You will be responsible for the TRICARE deductible and a 25% cost-share for 2026.

### What TRICARE Does NOT Cover TRICARE is health insurance, not comprehensive travel insurance. It will not reimburse you for: * **Trip Cancellation:** If you get sick and can't fly, TRICARE won't refund your plane tickets. * **Baggage:** Lost or stolen items are not covered. * **Medical Evacuation (Non-Emergency):** TRICARE covers air ambulance only if it is medically necessary to move you to the nearest capable facility. It does not cover "repatriation" (flying you home) just for convenience.

### Regional Contractors (2026) If you need assistance locating a provider while traveling within the U.S.: * **East Region:** Contact **Humana Military**. * **West Region:** Contact **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** Highest restrictions; must coordinate care to avoid bills. * **Active Duty Family Members:** Covered worldwide; Prime members should notify their PCM if care is received away from home. * **Retirees & Families:** Covered; higher cost-shares (copays) apply based on 2026 plan rates. * **Guard/Reserve:** Covered if on active duty orders or enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select. * **TRICARE For Life Beneficiaries:** Critical coverage for international travel where Medicare fails to pay.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** Traveling with TRICARE (https://www.tricare.mil/travel) * **International SOS:** TRICARE Overseas (https://www.tricare-overseas.com) * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** West Region Portal (https://www.triwest.com) * **Humana Military:** East Region Portal (https://www.humanamilitary.com)