Getting Telemedicine Care Overseas With TRICARE

Do You Live Overseas and Need Health Care?

Imagine being able to receive medical care from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you are in the world. This is now a reality for many TRICARE beneficiaries living overseas, thanks to the recent updates in telemedicine coverage by TRICARE.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the practice of using technology to provide health care services remotely. This can include video consultations, phone calls, or text-based interactions with healthcare providers. The benefits are numerous: reduced travel, minimized disruption to daily routines, and increased access to medical care.

TRICARE's Telemedicine Coverage

TRICARE has expanded its telemedicine coverage to include a wide range of services. These include office visits, preventive health screenings, telemental health services, and services for End Stage Renal Disease. This means that beneficiaries can now receive medical care from the convenience of their own homes.

Requirements for Overseas Telemedicine

For those living overseas, there are some specific requirements to ensure that telemedicine care is covered by TRICARE. These include:

• Local Licensing: Providers must be licensed to practice medicine in the country or territory where the TRICARE beneficiary receives the care.
• Country Restrictions: The country where the beneficiary lives must allow telemedicine. This ensures that the healthcare services are legal and accessible in the region.

Providers for Telemedicine

TRICARE has partnered with several providers to offer telemedicine services. These include Doctor On Demand, Telemynd, and SimpliFed. These providers are authorized to offer telemedicine care to TRICARE beneficiaries.

How to Use Telemedicine Services

Using telemedicine services is straightforward:

1. Contact Your Regional Contractor: Reach out to your regional contractor to determine if you need a referral or pre-authorization for the telemedicine service.
2. Secure Connection: Connect securely with your provider using a computer or smartphone. TRICARE ensures that these connections are secure to protect sensitive medical information.
3. Payment and Cost-Shares: Beneficiaries will pay required cost-shares and copayments for telemedicine visits. TRICARE will cover the remaining cost.

Special Rules and Coverage

• Referrals for Active Duty Members: Active duty service members must have a referral for telemental health care.
• TRICARE For Life: For TRICARE For Life beneficiaries, Medicare covers telemedicine visits when the service and provider are payable by Medicare. If not payable by Medicare, TRICARE For Life is the first payer.
• Autism Care Demonstration: As of March 31, 2020, TRICARE covers telehealth care for applied behavior analysis parent or caregiver guidance services under the Autism Care Demonstration.

Benefits of Telemedicine

• Convenience: Telemedicine allows beneficiaries to receive medical care from the comfort of their own homes.
• Accessibility: It reduces the need for travel to healthcare facilities, making it easier for beneficiaries to access care.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Telemedicine can be less expensive than in-person visits, as it eliminates travel costs and reduces the need for hospital stays.
• Increased Access: Telemedicine expands the reach of healthcare services to remote areas where healthcare facilities may be limited.

Getting Started with Telemedicine

If you are living overseas and need to access telemedicine services, follow these steps:

1. Check Your Eligibility: Contact your regional contractor to determine if you are eligible for telemedicine services.
2. Find Authorized Providers: Look for providers authorized by TRICARE to offer telemedicine services in your area.
3. Schedule an Appointment: Schedule an appointment with your chosen provider using secure video conferencing or audio-only services.

Conclusion

Telemedicine has revolutionized the way healthcare is delivered, and TRICARE's expansion of this service to overseas beneficiaries is a significant step forward. By offering a convenient, accessible, and cost-effective way to receive medical care, TRICARE is ensuring that beneficiaries receive the care they need, regardless of their location. For those living overseas, this means that quality healthcare is now just a click away.: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/News/Getting-Telemedicine-Care-Overseas-With-TRICARE: https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3855168/getting-telemedicine-care-overseas-with-tricare: https://www.tricare-overseas.com/providers/resources/telemedicine: https://tricare.mil/telemedicine: https://www.health.mil/News/Dvids-Articles/2023/04/18/news443194