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If you are in the first stages of, the middle of, or at the end of a PCS the last thing you need to worry about is the stress involved in trying to figure out health care benefit issues and how they translate. Sometimes it’s a piece of cake, and sometimes it’s a disaster. Here are some helpful hints put out by Tricare.

TRICARE Tips Help Alleviate Stress During a Permanent Change of Station

July 09, 2008
No. 08-66

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – ’Tis the season. The moving season, that is.

Many military families plan permanent change of station (PCS) moves during the summer. And with all of the moving-related tasks that Prime and Prime Remote service members and their families must accomplish, TRICARE wants to ensure a smooth transition of their healthcare benefits as well.

For customized information about moving with TRICARE, visit the benefit information portal at http://www.tricare.mil and select status, country, zip code and TRICARE plan. There will also be contact information for dental coverage and regional managed care support contractors (MCSCs) on “your profile” page.

Each TRICARE plan has its own individual requirements and beneficiaries are encouraged to investigate TRICARE options in their new location prior to a PCS. There are a few things TRICARE Prime and Prime Remote active duty and family member enrollees can do to make a move easier before, during and after a PCS.

* Refill prescriptions and obtain routine medical care before the move if possible.
* For valuable information about routine, urgent or emergency care while traveling, download and print the handy “Traveling with TRICARE Prime” flyer found in the publications section (linked).
* Active duty service members need to coordinate their Prime or Prime Remote enrollment with their new duty station.
* Active duty family members generally should not make changes to their Prime enrollment until they reach their new location.
* If moving within the same region, select a Primary Care Manager (PCM) and submit a TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form (DD Form 2876). If moving to a new region, submit the form to the new regional contractor.

If moving overseas, TRICARE reminds service members to ensure their families are command-sponsored for enrollment in Overseas Prime.

TRICARE also offers a convenient Beneficiary Web enrollment (BWE) tool where beneficiaries can manage enrollment and DEERS information online 24/7. Log on to enroll in Prime, update personal information and request enrollment cards. Prime Remote active duty service members and families can also choose primary care managers (PCM) through BWE. Log on is through common access card (CAC), Defense Finance and Accounting Service “myPay” personal identification number (PIN), or family member account PIN which is now called DoD Self-service Logon Pin.