Tricare Help: Does Tricare for Life travel abroad? - Getting out, military health issues - Navy Times

Tricare Help: Does Tricare for Life travel abroad?

Answering your questions on Tricare.

Q. A number of years ago, we moved just across the border into Mexico for the cost-of-living advantages and for the work we do with children. Now, I am about to qualify for Medicare and Tricare for Life. If I go to the U.S. side of the border for my medical care, will Medicare pay for it, and can I use Tricare for Life?

My understanding of the law governing Medicare is that it cannot pay for foreign medical care. That is, Medicare cannot help pay for medical care received outside the U.S. and its possessions.

I don’t believe the beneficiary’s place of residence is a consideration. I believe medical care received from an authorized Medicare provider on the U.S. side of the border will be covered by Medicare and Tricare for Life.

Tricare Help is not a reliable source for information regarding the rules that govern Medicare. I strongly suggest that you contact Medicare to inquire about this matter.

Q. I heard that Tricare for Life beneficiaries must pay first for care received outside the U.S. and file claims with Tricare later. How does this work? What documentation is required for the claim? If the documentation is in a foreign language, who is trusted to translate it? Me?

I’ve never heard of a foreign health care provider who will recognize coverage by a U.S. health insurance plan. You can expect to be asked to pay up front at the time of service for any medical care you receive outside the U.S.

Be careful to save bills, receipts, medical notes of any kind, copies of prescriptions and receipts for payment, and the like. Those documents will be needed to file Tricare claims when you return home.

You will file using the official Tricare Claim Form DD 2642, just as you would for care received in the U.S. However, you do not need to file first with Medicare.

Tricare will deal with any translations that need to be done, and Tricare’s payments will be made at the currency exchange rate that was in effect on the date you received the foreign medical care.

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Write to Tricare Help, Times News Service, 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159; or tricarehelp@militarytimes.com. In e-mail, include the word “Tricare” in the subject line and do not attach files. Get Tricare advice any time at our blog.