Overseas & Travel

• Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?Yes. Overseas, TFL acts as your primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay outside the U.S. You'll usually pay the provider up front and file a paper claim with TFL overseas.
• I'm a snowbird. Can I have doctors in two states?Yes. Original Medicare and TFL work in any U.S. state with any Medicare provider. A Medicare Advantage plan, on the other hand, usually restricts you to a local network — be careful with MA if you split the year.
• I live overseas full-time. How does Medicare + TFL work?Keep paying Part B to keep TFL. Use TFL as your primary payer overseas (Medicare doesn't pay abroad). File paper claims with International SOS.
• If I move overseas, can I drop Part B since Medicare doesn't pay there?Don't. Dropping Part B ends TFL the same day. Re-enrolling later triggers a permanent late penalty plus a coverage gap.
• If I get sick on vacation in Mexico or Canada, will Medicare or TFL pay?Original Medicare almost never pays outside the U.S. (a few narrow exceptions exist). TFL acts as primary overseas — you'd pay the provider, then file a paper claim with International SOS.
• How do I file an overseas TFL claim?Download DD Form 2642, attach the itemized provider receipt (translated to English when possible), and submit to International SOS by mail, fax, or upload.
• Does TFL work on a cruise ship?Yes. TFL covers cruise-ship medical care under the overseas rules. Medicare covers narrow cruise-ship scenarios within 6 hours of a U.S. port.

Educational only — not insurance, legal, or tax advice. Verify with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE), WPS (1-866-773-0404), SSA, or a licensed advisor before making enrollment decisions.