JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
While working in TRICARE offices, I was surprised to learn many people did not know the TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit can help cover the expenses of traveling to specialty medical care. To receive this benefit, a primary care manager must deem a TRICARE Prime patient needs medically necessary, non-emergency specialty care and refer them to seek that care in the TRICARE Prime network. If that care is more than 100 miles from the PCM's office, the patient can be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses. The expenses are reimbursed for the official distance from the patient's residence city to the specialty care provider's city.
There are different procedures to claim reimbursement for active-duty and non active-duty patients. Non active-duty patients can be reimbursed for the actual cost of personally procured commercial transportation, up to the amount of the government cost. If a privately owned vehicle is used, the non active-duty patient is reimbursed for actual expenses (gas, oil, tolls, parking fees). Reimbursement will not be a mileage allowance. Reimbursement of the actual cost of lodging and meals is also authorized. However, this will not exceed the locality per diem rate. Lodging costs include tax, tips and service charges. Meal costs include tax and tips. Alcoholic beverages are not reimbursable. The patient must ensure they save all receipts, regardless of the amount.
Active-duty patients are reimbursed just like a traditional Temporary Duty assignment. Government transportation should be used when practicable.
If a patient requires an attendant, a member of the patient's family can be reimbursed as well. The person must be at least 21-years-old. If the attendant is a uniformed member or U.S. government employee, he or she would be authorized TDY travel and transportation allowances. The patient and attendant cannot both be reimbursed for the same travel expense (e.g., both cannot claim and be paid for gas costs when traveling together by privately owned vehicle). The patient travel program manager can explain the requirements and restrictions for attendants.
If you have any questions about this program, contact the TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Flight at 963-6710.
Ref: Joint Federal Travel Regulation, paragraphs U7960-U7961