Prepare your emergency care and coverage information

Practical guide

Who this is for

Every resident, especially households where the veteran and spouse have different coverage.

Eligibility and coverage rules

A hospital saying 'we accept TRICARE/FMP/CHAMPVA' does not settle eligibility, the specific service, authorization, assignment or whether a deposit is needed. For TRICARE, International SOS offers round-the-clock assistance. Emergency evacuation coverage is not a general promise of a flight home to the United States.

Steps to take

1. Save the official SOS country-specific assistance contact and your other payer contacts before an emergency.
2. Have a trusted person know which coverage applies to each family member and where private documents are stored.
3. After admission, contact SOS promptly; TRICARE directs notification within 24 hours or the next business day in applicable emergency-admission guidance.

Important limits

• FMP emergency coverage still depends on the covered-condition rules.
• Direct billing is a payment arrangement, not a coverage determination.
• TRICARE medical air evacuation is limited by medical necessity and the closest safe location, not personal preference.

Confirm for your circumstances

Emergency triage is clinical. This website does not choose a hospital, guarantee admission, authorize transport or establish individual coverage.

Documents checklist

• Emergency contacts
• Coverage cards or letters
• Current medication and allergy list
• A way to meet a provider's upfront payment requirement