Tricare may change for some families

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
With Operation Iraqi Freedom in full swing, deployments have become common for military members stationed at overseas locaitions. This can affect health care for family members.

Health care is available for eligible family members whether they choose to stay overseas or decide to temporarily return home, said Capt. Timothy Hoiden, Tricare Europe deputy director of remote sites health care. However the type of benefit available may change for those who return home.

Normally, family members who accompany military members overseas are enrolled in Tricare Overseas Prime.

"When the military member deploys, the spouses can remain in TOP if they stay in the overseas area or return to the states for 60 days or less," said Hoiden. "While family members are in the states, they'll be able to get all of the same benefits provided by TOP.

"If dependents plan on staying longer than 60 days, however, they would change over to Tricare Standard," he added.

If the family members are moving to an area away from a military installation, the Tricare Europe office recommends disenrolling from TOP and using Tricare Standard or Extra.

"The Tricare office is going to continue helping families the best way we can," said Hoiden. "That's what we're here for."

Family members can inform Tricare of their decision by calling (888) 777-8343 and selecting the appropriate overseas region, or by informing their overseas Tricare service center before their departure.

"It is very important that family members who are going back to the (United States) update their address in the DEERS system," said Hoiden.

For more information on Tricare Overseas Prime, visit www.europe.Tricare.osd.mil. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)