TRICARE, Your Military Health Plan

Expectant Mothers Covered by TRICARE when Moving

            Pregnancy can be an exciting and stressful time especially when there’s an upcoming move for TRICARE’s moms-to-be. Stay calm! TRICARE coverage goes where mother goes.

            If an expectant mother relocates during her pregnancy, TRICARE guarantees her continuity of care. To stay on track, moms-to-be should discuss their upcoming move with their provider and request copies of their medical records. The sponsor is responsible for making sure the family’s TRICARE enrollment transitions smoothly from one duty station to the next. Once the move is complete, the sponsor must update every family member’s information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

            For expectant mothers who are transferring to a new duty station, TRICARE options depend on where the new location is. There are minimal costs under Extra and Standard.

            If the new duty station is in a Prime Service Area and the expectant mother chooses TRICARE Prime, she will submit a TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and Primary Care Manager (PCM) Change Form to the regional health care contractor. Once this is done, she can make an appointment with her new PCM to coordinate the rest of her prenatal care. If she is transferring Prime enrollment to another region, it’s important to remain enrolled in the old region until the move is complete and then follow the same steps.

            If the active duty sponsor moves to a new duty location covered by TRICARE Prime Remote (TPR), the sponsor and family members may choose to enroll in TPR for Active Duty Family Members or use Standard and Extra. Learn more about TPR enrollment by visiting www.tricare.mil/tpr.

            Beneficiaries using Standard don’t need a referral or authorization when they use a TRICARE-authorized provider for maternity care. Before looking for a new provider, an expectant mother should update her address and phone number with the regional health care contractor and in DEERS.

            For expectant moms who are moving late in a pregnancy, or if the pregnancy is difficult, it’s important for women to work with their current provider and regional health care contractor to find a provider in the area where they are moving.

            TRICARE covers necessary prenatal care from the first obstetric visit through six weeks after childbirth. Any routine prenatal care needed up to that point should be completed before moving.

            To learn more about moving with TRICARE, visit www.tricare.mil/mybenefit and enter your profile information. There are beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators available to help with healthcare questions or to navigate the TRICARE program; find one at www.tricare.mil/bcac.