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Overseas Duty Entitlements and Allowances for Commissioned Corps Officers
Frequently Asked Questions

On this page:

1. Authorities
2. Travel Benefits
3. Allowances for Commissioned Officers
4. Health Benefits

Summary: These frequently asked questions (FAQs) contain updated information and responses to questions most often asked about policies applicable to the Public Health Service (PHS), Commissioned Corps officers currently working in overseas locations.

1. Authorities

   1. Do the FAM/FAH travel entitlements apply to PHS commissioned officers?
      No. Commissioned Corps officers are uniformed Public Health Service members covered by regulations issued through the Public Health Service, Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) (CCMIS website) (formerly Division of Commissioned Personnel) and the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR).
   2. Are PHS commissioned officers entitled to benefits under the Standardized Regulations (DSSR) such as education allowance, separate maintenance allowance, and post differential?
      Commissioned Corps personnel are never entitled to DSSR benefits. They are entitled to different allowances paid through DHHS, they must never be paid DSSR allowances at their post. The following FAQs may help answer some benefits questions. Officers should contact the CDC/ATSDR, Commissioned Corps Personnel Office, 404-498-1800, or the Office of Commissioned Corps Force Management (OCCFM) for further clarification or advice addressing entitlements.

2. Travel Benefits

   1. Are PHS commissioned officers eligible for home leave?
      No. Commissioned Corps officers are not eligible for home leave as are U.S. citizen civil service employees under Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Instead PHS officers are entitled to leave between consecutive overseas tour(s) (COT) under JFTR, Chapter 7, Part H.

   2. When can the COT leave be used?
      COT leave should occur between outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) tours, in conjunction with a permanent change of station (PCS) travel, if any. Entitlement begins on the first day of the consecutive tour and is forfeited if not completed prior to the end of the new tour. COT leave must be completed prior to the end of the new tour.

      Example:
      Officer arrives at post on August 1, 2003, and has a 2-year tour of duty. On August 1, 2005, the officer's tour is extended for two additional years. The officer and his family are eligible for COT leave August 1, 2005. If COT leave is not taken prior to the end of the new tour, it is forfeited.

   3. Can the officer's family members accompany the officer on COT leave?
      Yes, dependents may travel with the officer or independently to a different location.

      Note: If both the officer and spouse are employees of the agency, benefits and entitlements are separate and children can only be covered by one parent.

   4. Where can the officer go for COT leave?
      An authorized destination is the officer's home of record (HOR) or an alternate place that is no more expensive than to the HOR. If travel to the selected alternate place is more expensive than travel to the HOR, the officer may be authorized travel to the alternative place on a cost-constructive basis. If travel is more expensive to the alternative place, the officer is financially responsible for the additional cost unless travel to the more expensive alternate place is authorized and approved by the Secretary of HHS.

   5. Where is the officer's HOR located?
      The HOR is documented on the officer's call to duty order. The call to duty order may be viewed in the officer's eOPF. An officer can view his/her eOPF at the CCMIS website, using an assigned user ID and password. If the officer does not remember his/her user ID or password, he/she can call the Commissioned Corps MIS Help Desk at (301) 594-0961 or e-mail: cchelpdesk@psc.gov.

   6. What is the officer's leave status while on COT?
      While in travel status no annual leave is charged. However, annual leave must be used from the time he/she arrives at the authorized location until he/she leaves the authorized location. This leave is reported through Commissioned Officer Leave Tracking System (COLTS).

   7. What does cost-constructive basis mean?
      This means that if the cost of travel to an alternate location is more than the cost of travel to an authorized location, the officer is responsible for paying the difference.

      Example 1:
      Officer's PDS is in Germany and the HOR is Ames, Iowa. The least expensive fare to Ames is $1,200. The officer desires to utilize the COT leave to Boston, MA. The least expensive fare to Boston is $1,600. Since travel to Boston, MA, is more expensive than travel to Ames, Iowa, the officer is financially responsible for the additional cost of $400 ($1,600 - $1,200 = $400).

      Example 2:
      Officer's PDS is in Germany and the HOR is Washington, DC. The least expensive fare is $980. The officer desires to utilize COT leave to St. Louis, MO. The least expensive fare to St. Louis is $840. Since travel to St. Louis is less expensive than travel to the HOR in Washington, DC, the member is authorized travel to St. Louis ($840) not to exceed (NTE) the $980 cost to HOR.

   8. Can contract (city pair) fares be used for travel to alternate destination?
      Contract (city pair) fares may be used when the cost of travel to the alternate destination is less expensive than travel to the HOR.

   9. What is FEML?
      FEML is Funded Environmental and Morale Leave (FEML) for transportation. It is similar to R&R that is used by CDC civilian employees. An officer and eligible dependents are entitled to one FEML trip if the OCONUS tour is at least 24 months, but less than 36 months and if the permanent duty station is designated as an approved FEML location. If the tour is extended at least 12 months, one additional FEML trip is authorized. If the tour of duty is for 36 months, two FEML trips are authorized. No more than two FEML trips are authorized for any OCONUS tour (including extensions to that tour).

      Officers must take annual leave while on FEML leave.

   10. j. Are more than two FEML trips ever authorized for an officer?
       Yes. PHS commissioned officers who are approved for another 2-year tour overseas while still overseas are considered to be given an in place consecutive overseas tour (IPCOT) assignment and are entitled to additional FEML trips based on the above criteria. FEML travel by the officer and/or dependents should not be performed within 6 months of the beginning or the end of the tour. Major commands (OCCO for the Commissioned Corps) are authorized, on a case-by-case basis, waiving the 6 month rule when deemed appropriate.

   11. What is an authorized destination for FEML?
       Transportation is authorized from the permanent duty station to the approved FEML site as outlined in the JFTR, Chapter 7, Part H, Appendix S. The full appendix is available at the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) website or by contacting the Coordinating Office for Global Health (COGH).

       Travel to an alternate location may be authorized on a cost-constructive basis. As with COT, contract (city pair fares may be used if travel to the alternate destination is less expensive than travel to the authorized destination). The officer is financially responsible for the additional cost if travel to alternate destination is more expensive than travel to the authorized destination.

   12. Is transportation allowed for personal emergencies?
       Yes. Under JFTR, Chapter 7, Part H, U7205, eligible officers on emergency leave and their dependents with personal emergencies are authorized transportation between authorized locations. Emergency leave shall normally be granted for emergency situations related to members of household, immediate family, or sole surviving relative. Reimbursement is authorized only for air transportation and ground transportation between interim airports. Reimbursement for ground transportation from permanent duty station or home (or destination) to airport is not authorized. Airfare is authorized only to the first airport where the officer touches down in the U.S. Any additional travel to the site of the emergency must be paid by the officer.

   13. How is leave taken for personal emergencies?
       Time in travel from the PDS to the first airport in the U.S. is not chargeable as leave. Time in travel from U.S. back to PDS is also not chargeable as leave. However, leave must start as soon as the officer reaches CONUS, even if further travel is required to the site of the emergency. The officer may be advanced up to 30 days of annual leave if the officer will be on active duty the next full year.

   14. How is travel paid for COT, FEML, dependent student's transportation, and emergency travel?
       OCONUS travel entitlements are paid by the officer's CDC program through issuance of travel orders from CDC headquarters.

   15. Can an officer's son or daughter return to the U.S. for formal education?
       Yes. An officer who is permanently stationed OCONUS and is accompanied by his/her dependents at or in the vicinity of the officer's PDS is authorized one annual round-trip, for the dependent student, at any time within a fiscal year (1 Oct–30 Sept) between the member's OCONUS PDS and the dependent student's school in the U.S. Effective as of 9 February 2002 (for a dependent student who is attending a school outside the U.S. for less than one year under a program approved by the school in the U.S. where the dependent is enrolled), the member may be reimbursed for one annual round trip for the dependent student between the school being attended by that student and the member's OCONUS PDS. However, reimbursement can not exceed the transportation allowance for that dependent's annual round trip between the school in the U.S. and the member's OCONUS PDS.

       NOTE: Entitlement to a portion of a round trip not taken during a fiscal year ordinarily does not carry over to a subsequent fiscal year. However, service-designated officials may extend the fiscal-year travel period for not more than 14 days because of unusual or emergency circumstances (e.g., an early or late holiday recess or school closing).

       Travel orders for the dependent's travel should be completed by CDC headquarters.

   16. Are there any special travel provisions for students with disabilities?
       Transportation and per diem is authorized under the JFTR, Section U5243c for students who have a disability, or may be considered as having a disability, when competent medical and/or educational authorities request a diagnosis and/or evaluation and travel is necessary for the diagnosis and/or evaluation. If the medical/educational authority requests that one or both of the student's parents or guardian be present, either to participate in the diagnosis and/or evaluation or to escort the student, transportation and per diem are similarly authorized for the parents or guardian.

3. Allowances for Commissioned Officers

   1. What is dislocation allowance?
      Dislocation allowance (DLA) is an allowance authorized due to a household relocation because of a permanent change in station (PCS). The amount authorized for this allowance can be found under JFTR Table USG-1 at the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) website.

   2. How and when can an officer claim DLA? An officer may claim DLA as soon as he/she arrives at post, completes the travel voucher, and returns it to the travel contact for processing. The DLA is claimed on the travel voucher. There is no separate form.

   3. Are commissioned officers eligible for a cost–of-living allowance (COLA)? What is a COLA? How does the officer apply for a COLA?
      Yes. Officers are eligible for a COLA at the rate established by the JFTR. The COLA is an allowance paid to service members stationed in high-cost areas overseas (including Alaska and Hawaii). COLAs help maintain purchasing power so you can purchase about the same goods and services overseas as in the U.S. It is nontaxable. Officers are eligible for a COLA upon reporting to duty at designated overseas stations unless they are eligible for temporary lodging at the full rate. COLA rates may be queried at the Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) website.

      Officers will receive a COLA after submitting their form PHS-2874 (Notice of Arrival). The form should be completed and mailed within 5 days of their post arrival to:

      Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services
      Compensation Branch
      5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 4-50
      Rockville, MD 20857-0001

      Form PHS-2874 (Notice of Arrival) is available at the Commissioned Personnel Official Forms page or by contacting CCPO.

      COLAs may not be paid by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

   4. Will the COLA stop if the officer is on leave status?
      COLA continues during any period not in excess of 30 consecutive days while the officer is on leave inside the U.S. During the entire period the member is on leave OCONUS, the COLA will continue. COLA payments may be made for leave periods only if the member was paid COLA immediately before

      1. Entering a leave status, or
      2. Hospitalization if the member was hospitalized immediately before beginning leave.

   5. What is Overseas Housing Allowance?
      Overseas housing allowance (OHA) is authorized for officers who live on the local economy OCONUS. It covers the usual cost of rental property in the area of the duty station up to the JFTR maximum. The OHA can apply to purchased properties and includes utility allowances.

      The form PHS 6059 (Request for Overseas Housing Allowance) along with an English language copy of the lease or purchase agreement, is used to apply for this allowance. This form and attachment should be submitted as soon as possible following the officer's arrival at post. Submit the information to:

      Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services
      Compensation Branch
      5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 4-50
      Rockville, MD 20857-0001

      The form PHS 6059 can be found at the following website: Commissioned Personnel Official Forms. Housing allowance may not be paid to commissioned officers by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

   6. What is TLA?
      TLA is a temporary lodging allowance and it partially reimburses lodging expenses before permanent housing is available. It is based on the per diem at the assigned duty station up to the maximum housing allowance authorized under the JFTR. It may be paid at the full rate (without kitchen access) or partial rate (with kitchen access, even if not used). TLA may be paid for a maximum of 60 days, unless an extension is approved by the agency.

      TLA is paid in increments up to 10 days and can be claimed by completing form PHS 488 (Claim for Temporary Lodging Allowance) and attaching lodging receipts. This form should be completed and submitted (with receipts) to the officer's employing CDC CIO for approval and then forwarded to:

      Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services
      Compensation Branch
      5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 4-50
      Rockville, MD 20857-0001

      The form PHS 488 can be found at the following website: Commissioned Personnel Official Forms. TLA may not be paid to commissioned officers by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

   7. What is a move-in housing allowance?
      The move-in housing allowance (MIHA) is a three-part allowance that is paid to the officer in those situations where CDC does not directly pay these costs to the embassy. The officer may be eligible for all or parts of this allowance. The allowance consists of

      • Miscellaneous — This covers items to make dwellings habitable (toilets, sinks, appliances);
      • Rent — This covers one time, nonrefundable expense (lease taxes, agent fees); and
      • Security — This covers security related items in qualifying areas as established by the JFTR.?

      Officers can apply for this allowance using form DD 2556 (Move-In Housing Allowance Claim form) and reimbursement receipts. The form and receipts should be submitted as soon as possible after the officer's arrival to the duty station. Submit the information to:

      Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services
      Compensation Branch
      5600 Fishers Lane, Rm. 4-50
      Rockville, MD 20857-0001

      Form DD 2556 can be obtained from the CDC Commissioned Corps Personnel Office (CCPO) or from the Department of Defense website for DOD Issuances.

      MIHA may not be paid to commissioned officers by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

   8. Are commissioned officers entitled to an education allowance?
      Yes. Commissioned Corps officers may be authorized to receive an education allowance for areas where local schools (grades K-12) are not adequate and tuition free. A determination that the schools at the duty station are inadequate must be made by the HHS Secretary or his/her designee. The education related expenses cannot exceed those of the Department of Defense for the same duty station. The education allowance is a reimbursement of the tuition paid by the officer. The child must be 5 years of age by December 31 of current school year before the officer can apply for this entitlement.

   9. How can an officer apply for reimbursement of the education allowance?
      The officer can apply by sending a memorandum requesting reimbursement and attaching the tuition receipt and a copy of the exchange rate used at the time payment was made. The memorandum and attachments should be mailed to:

      Commissioned Corps Personnel Office, CDC
      1600 Clifton Road, MS E50
      Atlanta, GA 30333

      Education allowances may not be paid to commissioned officers by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

   10. Can the education allowance be paid to an officer or to the school in advance?
       Yes. In addition to the documentation requested above (question i), officers shall submit a notarized memorandum declaring the following:

       1. I will use the educational allowance certified by my Commissioned Corps liaison only for the purpose for which the allowance was provided and subject to any limitations established for its use.
       2. I will not use the advance payment to cover any expenses related to home schooling and/or transportation.
       3. I will repay any funds in excess of those expenses covered by my certified allowance to the U.S. Government.
       4. After reasonable inquiry, I am not aware of any tuition-free U.S. Government operated or sponsored school at my duty station.
       5. I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

       Executed on (date). (Signature).

       The documentation and notarized statement should be mailed to:

       Commissioned Corps Personnel Office, CDC
       1600 Clifton Road, MS E-50
       Atlanta, GA 30333

       Advanced payment for expenses related to transportation and/or home schooling is not authorized. Education allowances may not be paid to commissioned officers by post or through the U.S. State Department payroll system.

4. Health Benefits

   1. What is a Commissioned Corps officer's medical coverage while overseas?
      While outside the U.S. on TDY or permanent duty status, Commissioned Corps officers are covered by TRICARE.

   2. What are my entitlements when I travel overseas on a TDY?
      When you are TDY overseas, you travel with your CONUS TRICARE entitlements. Any routine care should be taken care of prior or after your TDY assignment. Your cascade for care while traveling overseas TDY (or personal) is as follows:

      • Military Treatment Facility (MTF); if available,
      • U. S. Embassy; if it has a health care unit — and if they agree to see you, or
      • A local emergency department.

      If you use a local emergency department, you or someone on your behalf should notify CCPO and TRICARE or International SOS (ISOS) as soon as possible. (See contact numbers below.) In the event that you are advised to pay any cost for services, please contact ISOS before paying. ISOS will handle any claim issues that may arise at that time. ISOS is also the call to make if air evacuation may be needed.

      Europe: Europe, Africa and the Middle East
      ISOS (remote areas): 44-20-8762-8133

      Pacific: Western Pacific and the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, and India
      ISOS (remote areas): Singapore (collect) 65-6338-9277; Sydney (collect) 61-2-9273-2760

      TLAC (TRICARE Latin America and Canada): Central and South America, Caribbean Basin and Canada
      ISOS (remote areas): 1-800-834-5514 or collect at 1-215-701-2800

   3. What are my entitlements when I travel overseas on a PCS?
      

      When you travel PCS overseas, you can make a selection to enroll into TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Prime or TRICARE Global Remote Overseas (TGRO). Based on your location, that region's TRICARE area office will be able to assist you with your selection and enrollment. Once enrolled, an International SOS (ISOS) call center can assist you with finding a provider in your area.

      Europe: Europe, Africa and the Middle East
      TRICARE Area Office: 1-888-777-8343, option #1 or 49-6302-67-6347
      ISOS (remote areas): 44-20-8762-8133

      Pacific: Western Pacific and the Far East, Australia, New Zealand and India
      TRICARE Area Office: 1-888-777-8343, option #4 or 808-433-1390/1948
      ISOS (remote areas): Singapore (collect) 65-6338-9277 or Sydney (collect) 61-2-9273-2760

      TLAC (TRICARE Latin America and Canada): Central and South America, Caribbean Basin and Canada
      TRICARE Area Office: 1-888-777-8343, option #3 or 1-706-787-2424
      ISOS (remote areas): 1-800-834-5514 or collect at 1-215-701-2800

   4. Do I need to cancel my TRICARE insurance in the states before I go overseas?
      No. Once you arrive to your duty station, contact the TRICARE area office for that region to enroll into TRICARE Overseas to continue your medical benefits.

   5. If I live or work near an embassy, can I seek care there?
      Yes. However, if you are referred to a medical facility or provider outside of the embassy, you must contact ISOS first.

   6. What do I do if I need specialist care?
      You will need to call ISOS call center for a referral to a network specialist, where doctors will evaluate your needs and provide assistance in scheduling appointments with network specialists.

   7. What should I do if I am hospitalized?
      In non-emergency situations, you should call your primary care provider. Also, call the ISOS call center who will refer you a participating hospital or clinic, and coordinate your admission. In emergency situations, contact the ISOS Call Center for a referral (if possible) before you are admitted. If you are unable to call prior to admission, you or someone on your behalf should call within 24 hours so your case can be monitored for appropriate care and payment guarantees can established with the hospital.

   8. What do I do if a participating provider asks me to pay for the care I received?
      You or the provider should call the ISOS call center (available 24-hours) to resolve the situation. Call toll-free or collect.

   9. What are my family's healthcare entitlements overseas?
      Several TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) options are available for TRICARE's unique beneficiary population living overseas: TOP Prime, TRICARE Global Remote Overseas (TGRO) or TOP standard. Cost-share and co-pays are the same as CONUS.

      Note: Active duty family members must be command-sponsored to enroll in TOP Prime or TGRO.

   10. What if I need to receive emergency care while visiting in the states (CONUS)?
       If you have a medical emergency while traveling in the U.S., you may receive care immediately by going to the nearest emergency room or calling 9-1-1. You do not need prior authorization before seeking emergency care. Contact your TRICARE service center as soon as possible after care.

   11. What if my family or I need non-emergency care while in the states (CONUS)?
       Active duty members traveling in the U.S. who need non-emergency care should go the nearest military treatment facility or contact their ISOS call center prior to seeking care.

       Active duty family members do not need prior authorization for emergency or non-emergency care while traveling in the U.S. To avoid claim problems, use a TRICARE network provider if possible. Be sure they know you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime Overseas. If you seek care from a non-network provider, you may need to file your own claim. Contact the TRICARE regional office where you are traveling for network provider information.

   12. What are my dental entitlements when I am overseas?
       TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) enrolled members who reside in the CONUS service area are also covered in the OCONUS service area. As an active duty member, you can seek dental care via a fixed overseas dental treatment facility (ODTF-military base), by contacting an ISOS call center for your region, or visiting United Concordia's TRICARE Dental Program website and choosing a TRICARE Dental Program Host Nation Provider (TDP HNP).

   13. What are my family dental entitlements if they are overseas with me?
       As of December 3, 2007, TDP enrollees who reside in OCONUS areas must be a command-sponsored ependent in order to receive OCONUS TDP cost-share benefits. If a TDP enrollee is not command sponsored, his/her claims will be paid under the CONUS cost-share structure. Please visit United Concordia's TRICARE Dental Program website for more information.

       Eligible family members (enrolled into the program) can seek dental care from a TDP, a host nation provider (HNP), or a fixed overseas dental treatment facility (ODTF-military base).

   14. What are the TRICARE pharmacy benefits for overseas?
       

       You have several options for getting prescription medications while serving overseas.

       • MTF pharmacy: You can fill your prescriptions at many military treatment facility pharmacy locations.
       • TRICARE mail order pharmacy (TMOP): The TMOP offers a convenient, cost-efficient way to fill your maintenance prescriptions. However, in order to use this service you must have an APO or FPO address — and the prescription must be written by a U.S. military provider or by a U.S. licensed physician.
       • TRICARE retail pharmacy (TRRx): The TRRx is available in the continental U.S. (CONUS) and overseas in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. You can use the host nation pharmacy to fill your prescription. In this case, you must be prepared to pay 100 percent of the cost (up front) and then file a manual claim with TRICARE for reimbursement.

       Note: TOP Prime enrollees will be reimbursed 100 percent of the out-of-pocket cost for covered drugs when using a host nation pharmacy. All others using TOP standard are reimbursed at the applicable TOP standard rates.

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