COVID-19

<h2>CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)</h2> Timely COVID-19 updates and resources for TOP beneficiaries can be found below. For COVID-19 information for TOP Providers, click <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/providers/resources/covid-19-information-for-top-providers" target="_blank">here</a>. <h4>COVID-19 Updates for TOP Beneficiaries</h4> While the U.S.’ <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-public-health-emergency/index.html" target="_blank">Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19</a> expired on May 11, 2023, beneficiaries will still have access to COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments through TRICARE. In addition, many <a href="https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Telemedicine" target="_blank">Telemedicine services</a> are now a permanent TRICARE benefit. Keep these changes in mind: <ul> <li>COVID-19 Testing: Beneficiaries may have a cost-share for COVID-19 testing. TRICARE only covers COVID-19 tests that are medically necessary and ordered by a <a href="https://tricare.mil/FindDoctor/AllProviderDirectories" target="_blank">TRICARE-authorized provider</a>. TRICARE For Life beneficiaries can learn how Medicare coverage of COVID-19 testing is changing <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus" target="_blank">here</a>.</li> <li>Telemedicine: To help protect privacy, all providers must now use HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine platforms. The latest TOP Telemedicine information for beneficiaries can be found <a href="https://tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/telemedicine" target="_blank">here</a>.</li> <li>Clinical Trials: Temporary coverage of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases–sponsored COVID-19 clinical trials ended April 10, 2023. If a beneficiary was enrolled in a covered trial on or before April 10, 2023, their care will be covered through the end of the trial.</li> <li>Skilled Nursing Facilities: A temporary waiver of the requirement for a three-day prior hospital stay before admission to a skilled nursing facility ended for new admissions after April 10, 2023.</li> </ul> <h4>COVID-19 Resources for TOP Beneficiaries</h4> The latest COVID-19 resources can be found <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Vaccines are still the most effective tool to prevent serious illness, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html" target="_blank">long-term effects</a>, and death from COVID-19 – even if the individual has had COVID-19 in the past. As outlined in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">recently updated CDC guidance</a>: <ul> <li>Everyone 6 years and older is up-to-date if they have received 1 updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they have received any <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#original-vaccines" target="_blank">original COVID-19 vaccines</a>. If you are 65 or older, you may get a second dose of the updated vaccine.</li> <li>Children ages 6 months through 5 years should get 1 or more doses of the updated vaccine, depending on their age and which COVID-19 vaccines they have already received.</li> </ul> Go to the CDC website to learn more about <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccine recommendations</a> and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits.html" target="_blank">benefits of getting vaccinated</a>. Your health care provider can give you guidance on when you should get the updated vaccine. You have options for where you can get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. These include: <ul> <li>Military hospitals, clinics, and vaccination sites</li> <li>Local or state health department vaccination sites</li> <li><a href="https://www.tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/provider-search" target="_blank">TOP Network Providers</a></li> <li>Pharmacies participating in the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/retail-pharmacy-program/participating-pharmacies.html" target="_blank">Federal Retail Pharmacy Program</a>, participating pharmacies, and vaccination sites, which can include local convenience store chains and grocery stores</li> </ul> You can get updated COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. But you may have costs for an office visit or if you need follow-on care. Your out-of-pocket costs would be based on your TRICARE health plan. To learn more about your options for COVID-19 vaccines, check out <a href="https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/HealthyLiving/Coronavirus" target="_blank">COVID-19 guidance for TRICARE beneficiaries</a>. If you have any questions, <a href="https://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us" target="_blank">contact</a> your TOP Regional Call Center.

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