TRICARE, Your Military Health Plan

Foreign Force Members and Their Families

The Foreign Force Member Department of Defense Health Care Option offers medical care for foreign force members and their dependents who are on orders in the United States and doing business with the Department of Defense. This includes all countries that participate in a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a Status of Forces Agreement or a Partnership for Peace agreement.  

Foreign force members and their dependents seeking routine care should contact a Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) or their home country embassy for assistance with general health care coverage questions, costs and referrals for civilian care. Or, visit the Force Health Protection Web site to learn more about your care.

Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
DEERS is a computerized database of military sponsors, families and others worldwide who are entitled under the law to TRICARE benefits. Foreign force members and their dependents who are on orders and stationed in the United States should register in DEERS upon their arrival to the U.S. at their local ID card office and obtain a valid military ID card.  

It is also important that the foreign force member ensures that their dependent's status is current in DEERS.  Once registered in DEERS it is important to keep your DEERS records updated when eligibility information changes. This includes changes in military status, family status (marriage, divorce, birth and adoption) and addresses. Failure to update your records can cause problems with obtaining medical services and claims.