<h2>CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)</h2> <p>{notice;fontweight=500:<strong><em>For information and helpful resources on Monkeypox, click </em></strong><a href="https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/Immunization-Healthcare/Vaccine-Preventable-Diseases/Monkeypox" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><strong><em>. To view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Monkeypox prevention, symptoms, treatment, and more, click </em></strong><a href="https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Monkeypox-FAQ" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><strong><em>. }</em></strong></p> <p>Timely COVID-19 updates for TOP beneficiaries can be found below. For COVID-19 resources for TOP beneficiaries, click&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/COVID-19/beneficiary-resources" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>For COVID-19 information for TOP Providers, click&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/providers/resources/covid-19-information-for-top-providers" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>COVID-19 Updates for TOP Beneficiaries:</strong></h4> <h4>Recent TRICARE Telehealth Policy Changes</h4> <p>Audio-only telehealth appointments are now a permanent TRICARE benefit. TRICARE placed a temporary waiver on costs at the start of the pandemic. This encouraged the use of telehealth services. That waiver recently expired. Click <a href="https://newsroom.tricare.mil/Articles/Article/3143682/make-sure-you-understand-recent-tricare-telehealth-policy-changes" target="_blank">here</a> to read the latest article.</p> <h4>COVID-19 Vaccination Information</h4> <p>For the latest COVID-19 vaccination information, click <a href="https://tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus/COVID-Vaccine" 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;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. Click <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/COVID-19/NIAID-Sponsored-Clinical-Trials" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more.</p> <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;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><a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/tco-media/documents/top-relocation-fact-sheet-march-2020" target="_blank">Download</a>&nbsp;the TOP Relocation Fact Sheet or</li> <li><a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">Contact</a>&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. 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&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">contact</a>&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;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/tco-media/documents/COVID-19-Info-Packet-TPR-FEB2022" target="_blank">here</a>. 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>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;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">contact</a>&nbsp;your TOP Regional Call Center if you have any questions or need assistance, based on your&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/provider-search" target="_blank">search results</a>. For assistance with&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/philippines/philippine-provider-search" target="_blank">Philippine Certified/Preferred Providers</a>, please contact&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/philippines" target="_blank">Global 24 Network Services</a><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;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/report-fraud-and-abuse" target="_blank">report the incident immediately</a>. You may also&nbsp;<a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">contact</a>&nbsp;your TOP Regional Call Center for assistance.</p>