TRICARE Guide: Returning Stateside from Overseas | TRICARE.com

Moving back to the United States after an overseas assignment is a **Qualifying Life Event (QLE)** for TRICARE. This change triggers a 90-day window where you can change or enroll in new health plans, as your previous overseas coverage (like TRICARE Overseas Program Prime) will no longer be valid once you are stateside.

*Note: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. For the official government portal, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## What changes Returning stateside ends your eligibility for the TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP). Depending on your new location and status, you will likely shift to TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select in either the East or West region. Because your "address of record" is changing, your regional contractor will change, and you may need to select a new Primary Care Manager (PCM) to maintain coverage.

## What to do — checklist 1. **Update DEERS immediately**: As soon as you arrive, update your new residential address in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) via [milConnect](https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/). This officially triggers the QLE. 2. **Contact your new Regional Contractor**: Within **90 days** of your move, enroll in a stateside plan. * **East Region:** Contact Humana Military. * **West Region:** Contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance. 3. **Transfer Enrollments**: If you are Active Duty, you *must* enroll in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote. If you are a family member or retiree, choose between Prime or Select. This should be done within **90 days** of your arrival date. 4. **Select a new PCM**: If enrolling in Prime, use the contractor’s provider directory to find a new Primary Care Manager near your new home. 5. **Transfer Prescriptions**: If you have recurring refills, contact Express Scripts to update your mailing address and ensure your home delivery continues without interruption in the U.S. 6. **Verify Dental Coverage**: Ensure your TRICARE Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) or TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) records reflect your U.S. status, as network providers and claim processes differ stateside.

## Timeline | Timeframe | Action Required | | :--- | :--- | | **30 Days Before Move** | Refill all maintenance medications through your overseas pharmacy or Express Scripts to ensure a 30-60 day supply. | | **Day 0 (Arrival)** | Log into DEERS/milConnect and update your primary address and contact information. | | **Week 1** | Call the new regional contractor (Humana or TriWest) to select a plan and assign a PCM. | | **Within 90 Days** | Deadline to complete enrollment. If you miss this window, you may have to wait until the next Open Season to change plans. |

## Common pitfalls * **Assuming it's automatic**: Many families believe updating their address in DEERS automatically moves their TRICARE plan. It does not. You must actively enroll in a new stateside plan with the regional contractor. * **Using the wrong contractor**: After the T-5 contract change, TriWest Healthcare Alliance manages the entire West Region. Using old contact info for Health Net Federal Services (HNFS) will delay your transition. * **The "Gap" Trap**: If you wait until you get sick to call TRICARE, you may find your "Overseas" coverage has been terminated but your "Stateside" coverage hasn't begun, leading to out-of-pocket costs at Urgent Care. * **Pharmacy Delays**: Forgetting to update Express Scripts can result in medications being shipped to an APO/FPO address you no longer have access to.

## Sources * TRICARE.mil: [Moving when you have TRICARE](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Moving) * Humana Military (East): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West): [triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com/) * Defense Health Agency: [Qualifying Life Events Guide](https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents)