When you move, it’s important to make sure your TRICARE coverage is ready to move with you. Updating your information in DEERS and with your regional contractor are important parts of the moving process. By being proactive, you can ensure that you and your family have access to the care you need in your new location. (U.S. Army photo by Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office)
5/24/2024By:TRICARE Communications
Recommended Content:
Information for Patients: About TRICARE | Qualifying Life Events | Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
FALLS CHURCH, Va. – As summer approaches and permanent change of station (PCS) season kicks into high gear, many military families find themselves preparing to move to a new duty location. Amid all the packing and planning, it’s important to make sure your TRICARE coverage is ready to move with you.
“Moving is a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event,” said Shane Pham, an analyst with TRICARE Policy and Programs at the Defense Health Agency. “This means that your family members may be able to enroll in or change their TRICARE plans.”
A QLE opens a 90-day period for you and your family to make eligible enrollment changes, as described in the TRICARE Qualifying Life Events Fact Sheet. This means you have 90 days from the date of your move to change your plan. You must change your address in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
Here are answers to common questions about TRICARE and moving.
Q: I’m planning to move soon. What do I need to do to maintain my TRICARE coverage?
A: After you move, the first step is to update your information in DEERS. You’ll need to provide your new address. Your address determines whether or not you live in a Prime Service Area. You should also make sure your phone number and email address are up to date, too. This ensures you receive important notifications from TRICARE about your coverage.
If you don’t update DEERS after you move, you may have problems getting care. In some cases, you may be disenrolled from your TRICARE plan if your address isn’t up to date in DEERS.
Tip: Don’t disenroll from your current TRICARE plan before you move. Your current plan will cover you on your way to your new location.
Q: How do I update my information in DEERS?
A: You can update your contact information in DEERS online via milConnect, by phone, or by visiting a local ID card office.
Q: Do I need to do anything else after I move?
A: Yes. You should call your regional contractor to update your address.
Your next steps are based on your beneficiary status and TRICARE plan.
If you have TRICARE Prime and your new location is in a Prime Service Area, you’ll need to choose a new primary care manager (PCM) after you move. Your PCM is the doctor or other health care professional who provides your routine care and referrals. You can choose a new PCM by calling your regional contractor or using the online portal on their website. TRICARE Prime isn’t available everywhere. You may have different health plan options when you move. Check the Plan Finder to learn more.
If you have TRICARE Select, you don’t need to choose a PCM. You can use the Find a Doctor tool to search for TRICARE-authorized providers near you. Remember, you’ll pay less out of pocket if you get care from TRICARE network provider.
Check out Moving to learn more about what you need to do when you move based on your TRICARE plan.
Q: I have prescriptions. What should I do about my prescriptions when I move?
A: It’s a good idea to fill any prescriptions you need before you move. This can help you avoid running out of medication during the transition. Once you’re settled in your new home, you can transfer your prescriptions to a new pharmacy. You can do this by contacting your new pharmacy and providing them with your prescription information, or by asking your current pharmacy to transfer your prescriptions to the new location.
You can also transfer your prescriptions from a retail pharmacy to TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. If you already use TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery, be sure to update your shipping address with the TRICARE Pharmacy Program contractor, Express Scripts.
For more information on managing your prescriptions, visit TRICARE Pharmacy Program.
Remember that updating your information in DEERS and taking steps to maintain your TRICARE coverage are important parts of the moving process. By being proactive, you can ensure that you and your family have access to the care you need in your new location. If you have any questions or need help, you can contact your regional contractor or visit the TRICARE website for more information.
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
You also may be interested in...
Page 1 of 2, showing items 1 - 15
Publication
Mar 9, 2022Poster: The Game of Life
.PDF | 944.13 KB
Display this poster in your facility to educate beneficiaries about TRICARE's qualifying life events which could trigger a change in your TRICARE coverage.
Publication
Jun 3, 2020Communication to ABA Providers Regarding Continued Temporary Authorization to Utilize Telehealth for CPT Code 97156 During the COVID-19 National Emergency
.PDF | 122.59 KB
TRICARE is announcing the continuation of the temporary exception to policy regarding the use of synchronous telehealth (TH) capabilities (both audio and video) for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Adaptive Behavior Treatment Guidance services specifically during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Publication
Apr 14, 2020Benefits Eligibility for 32 USC 502(f) Missions
.PDF | 157.91 KB
A chart outlining the various Benefits Eligibility for 32 USC 502(f) Missions
Publication
Apr 7, 2020Decision Memorandum on TRICARE Implementation of the "Families First Coronavirus Response Act"
.PDF | 1.06 MB
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Public Law 116-127, Division F, Section 6006(a), limits TRICARE authority to impose copayment or other cost-sharing for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and related provider visits that result in orders for or administration of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, cleared, or authorized ...
Publication
Mar 31, 2020Pharmacy Guidance for Market MTFs
.PDF | 1.32 MB
Message to Pharmacy Beneficiaries regarding military pharmacy services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publication
Mar 31, 2020Tiered Telehealth Health Care Support for COVID-19
.PDF | 242.86 KB
This memorandum establishes guidance for the use of Telehealth (TH) Information Technology (IT) tools in support of the clinical care required for patients across the spectrum of COVID-19 illness
Publication
Mar 30, 2020 .PDF | 14.89 KB
Question and Answer: TRICARE Autism Care Demonstration (ACD): Regarding Temporary Authorization to Utilize Telehealth for CPT Code 97156 during the COVID-19 National Emergency
Publication
Mar 30, 2020Policy Exception for Telehealth Use for ABA during COVID-19 Pandemic
.PDF | 16.21 KB
Communication to ABA Providers Regarding Temporary Authorization to Utilize Telehealth for CPT Code 97156 During the COVID-19 National Emergency
Publication
Dec 19, 20193D Mammography Toolkit
.PDF | 984.19 KB
3D Mammography Toolkit
Publication
Dec 16, 2019Talking_Points_3D_Mammography
.PDF | 93.53 KB
These talking points share information about 3-D mammography
Publication
Dec 16, 20193D Mammography Infographic 2
.PDF | 689.21 KB
Share this infographic to spread the word about 3-D Mammography coverage
Publication
Dec 16, 20193D Mammography Infographic 1
.PDF | 779.42 KB
Share this infographic to spread the word about 3-D Mammography coverage
Publication
Nov 23, 2019Open Season and BWE Issue Annex
.PDF | 4.14 MB
This Open Season and BWE Issue Annex contains products with additional information about how to enroll during Open Season
Publication
Aug 27, 2019Guide to Update DEERS
.PDF | 464.82 KB
This is a beneficiary guide to updating DEERS. It is critical for sponsors to keep their DEERS eligibility information up to date so there is no break in healthcare coverage eligibility.
Publication
Aug 9, 2019FEDVIP Vision 2019 Toolkit
.PDF | 7.93 MB
This toolkit is full of materials to disseminate information about FEDVIP Vision including: infographics, logos, screensavers, articles, and sample social media posts. FEDVIP Vision is a beneficiary-centric campaign with eye-catching products and succinct messages to raise awareness about the FEDVIP Vision plans and coverage.
Page 1 of 2, showing items 1 - 15
