Tricare Emphasizes 1-Year Limit for Claims

Beneficiaries who file their own Tricare claims should remember that, with few exceptions, they must file within one year of the date of medical service, the date of discharge from an inpatient facility, and the date of receiving medication. The deadline also applies to those who file on behalf of individuals with other health insurance. Affected are Tricare Standard beneficiaries as well as Tricare Prime enrollees who obtain emergency or urgent care outside of the Tricare region where they are enrolled. Tricare Prime and Extra providers are required to file claims on a beneficiary’s behalf, and also must meet the one year requirement. (See next item for exceptions.)