<h2>CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)</h2> <p><img src="https://tricare-overseas.com/cms/delivery/media/MCI4NU4EW3AVEA5FQMM6PWCJP7GU" data-fileid="20Yt0000000k9hk" data-contentkey="MCI4NU4EW3AVEA5FQMM6PWCJP7GU" data-cms-filename="covid19-banner4.jpg"></p> <p>Timely COVID-19 updates for TOP Beneficiaries can be found below. For COVID-19 resources for TOP Beneficiaries, click <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/COVID-19/beneficiary-resources" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>For COVID-19 Provider Information, Click&nbsp;{contentlink=/providers/resources/covid-19-information-for-top-providers:here}</p> <p>{fontweight=500;notice:<i>TRICARE covers the cost of at-home test kits that are FDA approved and ordered by a TRICARE authorized provider for a medically necessary purpose, such as exhibition of symptoms. The Defense Heath Agency is reviewing the latest guidance on at-home testing kits in order to identify whether any changes to the current policy are warranted. As a reminder, the DHA reminds all beneficiaries to follow currently approved TRICARE requirements for COVID-19 testing. Those guidelines can be reviewed on TRICARE’s website at</i>} <a href="https://tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-Testing" target="_blank"><i>https://tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus/Coronavirus-Testing</i></a>{fontweight=500;notice:.}<i> </i></p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><b>COVID-19 Updates for TOP Beneficiaries:</b></h4> <h4>Direction Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations for Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs)</h4> <p>The Department of Defense (DOD) has made a determination that ADSMs overseas (outside the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories) may only receive the COVID-19 vaccine from a U.S. Government source (i.e., at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or U.S. Embassy Health Unit). ADSMs must contact the MTF where they are enrolled or their Service POC for more information. ADSMs may {contentlink=/contact-us:contact} the TOP Regional Call Center if they have questions or need assistance; however, specific instructions on where to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be obtained from the ADSM's enrolled MTF or Service POC directly. For additional COVID-19 vaccination information for overseas beneficiaries, click <a href="https://newsroom.tricare.mil/Articles/Article/2622993/qa-what-are-my-covid-19-vaccination-options-overseas" target="_blank">here.</a></p> <h4>Temporary Coverage of Investigational Drugs for Treatment of COVID-19</h4> <p>In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has temporarily covered treatment use of investigational drugs under expanded access when for the treatment of COVID-19 and its associated sequelae. This change permits coverage of the investigational drug itself (i.e., the drug itself will now be able to be cost-shared), when for the treatment of COVID-19 or its associated sequelae, in settings approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under expanded access (coverage in clinical trial settings continues to be excluded). This coverage will be applied by International SOS in overseas locations for drugs without formal marketing approval when International SOS determines that such usage meets criteria substantially similar to FDA requirements for treatment use of investigational new drugs under this criteria. This change is no longer applicable upon expiration of the President’s declared national emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. For treatment use of investigational drugs provided by any overseas provider, these provisions are effective March 10, 2020, and will expire upon conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, as determined by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.</p> <h4>Temporary Coverage of NIAID-Sponsored Clinical Trials for the Treatment or Prevention of COVID-19</h4> <p>Effective October 30, 2020, TRICARE regulations were temporarily changed to add coverage of clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 or its associated sequelae,&nbsp;{fontweight=500:if the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) is either the trial sponsor or trial collaborator.}&nbsp;Coverage for COVID-19 clinical trials will last through the end of the President’s declared national emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p>TRICARE will cost-share all medical care required as a result of participation in NIAID-sponsored studies, including necessary follow-up care and testing that takes place after the period of active treatment on protocol is completed. This includes purchasing and administering all approved pharmaceutical drugs (except for the NIAID-funded investigational agents) and all inpatient and outpatient care, including diagnostic, laboratory, rehabilitation, and home health services not otherwise reimbursed under an NIAID grant program, if the following conditions are met:</p> <ul> <li>The patient continues to meet entry criteria for said protocol;</li> <li>The institutional and individual providers are TRICARE-authorized providers.</li> <li>In addition to the above requirements, the following conditions must be met for participation in Phase I COVID-19 clinical trials. Attending physician, Primary Care Manager (PCM), or specialist referral to the trial, and the beneficiary’s subsequent acceptance to the trial fulfill these requirements.</li> <li>Standard treatment has been or would be ineffective, does not exist, or there is no superior non-investigational treatment alternative.&nbsp;</li> <li>The available clinical or preclinical data provide a reasonable expectation that the treatment will be at least as effective as the non-investigational alternative.&nbsp;</li> <li>The facility and personnel providing the treatment are capable of doing so by virtue of their experience, training, and volume of patients treated to maintain expertise.</li> <li>The beneficiary’s participation in such a trial would be appropriate based upon the satisfaction of the above criteria.</li> </ul> <h4>Out of Area Care for TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas Beneficiaries</h4> <p>Due to COVID-19, International SOS will not deny any requests for health care as out of area care for beneficiaries enrolled to any TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas location. Currently, this waiver applies&nbsp;{fontweight=500:until the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, as determined by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)}. International SOS will assist TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas beneficiaries with locating a civilian provider and ensuring cashless/claimless health care (where possible), regardless of the location. International SOS will also assist and educate TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas beneficiaries on how to transfer their enrollment to a new region, if applicable.</p> <ul> <li>{downloaddocs=/beneficiaries/tco-media/documents/top-relocation-fact-sheet-march-2020:Download}&nbsp;the TOP Relocation Fact Sheet or</li> <li>{contentlink=/contact-us:Contact}&nbsp;your TOP Regional Call Center for assistance.</li> </ul> <h4>TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) Beneficiaries Granted Extension of Coverage Due to National State of Emergency</h4> <p>Due to the recently declared State of Emergency, an extension of the reinstatement period for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) beneficiaries who have their accounts terminated for failure to pay premiums has been approved. The request for reinstatement for terminated coverage, retroactive to the last paid-through date, must be received by International SOS or postmarked no later than the first business day of the sixth month (previously fourth month) after the paid-through date.</p> <p>This two-month extension is effective immediately and will last 90 days following the end of the declared State of Emergency, or until directed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Please note that this is not a waiver of the owed premiums themselves. Please {contentlink=/contact-us:contact}&nbsp;your TOP Regional Call Center (listen carefully to the prompts for the best option to serve you) to speak with a member of the TRICARE Select Overseas Customer Service Team if you have any questions or need assistance.</p> <h4>COVID-19 Information Packet for TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas Beneficiaries</h4> <p>TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas beneficiaries can get the latest updates and information about COVID-19 by clicking&nbsp;{downloaddocs=/beneficiaries/tco-media/documents/COVID-19-Info-Packet-TPR-FEB2022:here}. The COVID-19 Information Packet includes valuable resources regarding accessing health care, COVID-19 testing and treatment, FAQs, and other useful information for TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas beneficiaries to keep handy during this global pandemic.</p> <h4>TRICARE Waives Copayments, Cost Shares and Deductibles for Medically Necessary COVID-19 Testing</h4> <p>TRICARE is waiving copayments, cost shares, and deductibles for medically necessary COVID-19 diagnostic testing and associated services and supplies, retroactive to March 18, 2020. If you have already been tested, you can file a claim for reimbursement. Not all testing is considered medically necessary. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tricare.mil/Costs" target="_blank">tricare.mil/costs</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus" target="_blank">TRICARE's COVID-19 Guidance Page</a>. Note: COVID-19 diagnostic testing and associated services and supplies must follow host nation guidelines. Please&nbsp;{contentlink=/contact-us:contact} your TOP Regional Call Center if you have any questions or need assistance.</p> <h4>Temporary Uniform Service ID Card Policy Changes</h4> <p>Due to COVID-19’s impact on travel and access to military installations, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has made temporary modifications to Uniform Service ID card policies. It’s important to keep these changes in mind when visiting TOP Network or Non-Network Providers. Providers will still accept and honor the validity of Uniform Service ID cards that expired between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021 only, through:</p> <ul> <li>August 31, 2021 for all Foreign Affiliates and their dependents;</li> <li>October 31, 2021 for dependents of Active Duty Uniformed Service members, and for Reserve and National Guard Uniformed Service members and their dependents; and&nbsp;</li> <li>January 31, 2022 for Retirees and their dependents, and all other populations.</li> </ul> <p>Uniform Service ID cards that expired before&nbsp;January 1, 2020 or after July 31, 2021 have not been extended and will not be accepted. In addition, the minimum age for initial child ID card issuance has been raised from 10 to 14. Please continue to keep all of your information up-to-date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Please&nbsp;{contentlink=/contact-us:contact} your International SOS TOP Regional Call Center if you have any questions or need assistance.&nbsp;</p> <h4>Provider Operating Hours</h4> <p>Due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there may be changes in the operating hours of certain providers (often with short notice). Please&nbsp;{contentlink=/contact-us:contact} your TOP Regional Call Center if you have any questions or need assistance, based on your {contentlink=/beneficiaries/resources/provider-search:search results}. For assistance with&nbsp;{contentlink=/beneficiaries/philippines/philippine-provider-search:Philippine Certified/Preferred Providers}, please contact&nbsp;{contentlink=/beneficiaries/philippines:Global 24 Network Services}<a href="http://www.tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/philippines" target="_blank">.</a></p> <h4>Attention TRICARE Beneficiaries: Beware COVID-19 Scams</h4> <p>As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold around the world, it is important for TRICARE beneficiaries to be aware of potential COVID-19-related scams by cyber criminals. One such reported scam, reported by the Defense Health Agency (DHA), may involve scam callers directly contacting beneficiaries for their personal information (such as their birthdate, Social Security number, or banking/credit card information) in an attempt to sell or ship counterfeit COVID-19 test kits. To prevent fraud and identity theft, TRICARE beneficiaries should not release any personal information if contacted by unknown sources offering COVID-19 test kits (COVID-19 testing can only be ordered by an attending physician). TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) beneficiaries targeted by this scam (or any COVID-19-related scam) should&nbsp;{contentlink=/report-fraud-and-abuse:report the incident immediately}. You may also&nbsp;{contentlink=/contact-us:contact}&nbsp;your TOP Regional Call Center for assistance.</p>