Medicare stops at the U.S. border. TRICARE and CHAMPVA don't, but they come with rules you need to know before you move.
TRICARE Overseas Program
TRICARE overseas is split into three regions: Eurasia-Africa, Latin America and Canada, and Pacific. The overseas contractor is International SOS. Military retirees under 65 usually use TRICARE Select Overseas, with a 25% retiree cost-share after the deductible and annual enrollment fees.
TRICARE For Life abroad
Overseas, TRICARE For Life pays first, and you pay TRICARE's deductible and cost-shares. You must keep Medicare Part B to stay eligible, even though Medicare itself won't pay abroad.
CHAMPVA abroad
CHAMPVA works overseas with the same deductibles and cost-shares. Claims are paid in U.S. dollars, often as reimbursement. Beneficiaries 65+ who are eligible for Medicare Part A must have Part B.
Plan ahead
- Keep copies of your ID card and enrollment.
- Ask hospitals whether they work with International SOS.
- Consider medical evacuation insurance where local care is limited.
Retired? See the full military retirees checklist.
Get answers from vets who've done it
The VA Benefits Abroad channel is free. Ask about your country, your claim or your hospital.
Filing claims from abroad
TRICARE
Overseas, you'll often pay the provider and file for reimbursement. Use the Patient's Request for Medical Payment (DD Form 2642) and attach the itemized bill and proof of payment, such as a card receipt or a bill marked paid. You can file through the TRICARE Overseas secure claims portal or by mail to the claims address for the place you got care. If you have other health insurance or travel insurance, file with them first.
CHAMPVA
File VA Form 10-7959a with an itemized bill, proof of payment, and the explanation of benefits from any other insurer. Mail it to VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, CHAMPVA Claims, PO Box 500, Spring City, PA 19475. Questions: 1-800-733-8387, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
Deadlines at a glance
| TRICARE, care overseas | 3 years from the date of service or inpatient discharge |
|---|---|
| TRICARE, care in the U.S. | 1 year |
| CHAMPVA | 1 year from the date of care, or from hospital discharge |
| VA Foreign Medical Program | 2 years from the date of care or discharge |
CHAMPVA has the shortest clock, so file those claims first.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up programs. A veteran's own service-connected care goes through FMP. CHAMPVA covers eligible family members. TRICARE covers retirees and their families.
- Dropping Medicare Part B. TRICARE For Life requires it, and CHAMPVA requires it for beneficiaries 65 and older who are eligible for Part A.
- Skipping the other insurer. Both programs expect other coverage to be billed first.
- Sending a bill that isn't itemized. A one-line total is the most common reason for a request for more information.
Your first week abroad
- Save the TRICARE Overseas toll-free number for your country.
- Photograph your ID card and enrollment details and store them online.
- Ask your nearest hospital whether it works with International SOS or files claims for you.
- Set up a claims folder: one for TRICARE or CHAMPVA, one for FMP if you use it.
Comparing notes helps. Join the free OCONUS Veterans community to ask members how claims work in your country.
How this helps in real life
Example scenario (composite, not a real person): A veteran rated permanently and totally disabled lives in Mexico with his wife, who uses CHAMPVA. He files his own service-connected care through FMP and her doctor visits through CHAMPVA, in separate folders. Because CHAMPVA has a 1-year deadline, they mail her claims each month instead of saving them up.
Questions about your situation?
Ask in the VA Benefits Abroad channel. Vets who've filed from your country answer fast.
Common questions
Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?
Yes. Outside the U.S., TRICARE For Life pays first, but you must keep Medicare Part B to stay eligible.
Does CHAMPVA cover care abroad?
Yes, with the same deductibles and cost-shares, often paid as reimbursement.
Last reviewed November 2026. Information only. Confirm with the official sources.
