When you are stationed in the United States with a Canadian Detachment or Support Unit, you have two different ways to access healthcare: Through military installations (base hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, imaging centers), or through local, civilian medical providers. What's the difference?
When your family arrives in the U.S. you will be required to register with the U.S. Military Medical Insurance provider – TRICARE. This is done by registering through a system called DEERs and is normally an automatic process when you obtain your "Uniformed Services ID Card ". More information about this process can be found in your CDLS(W) or NORAD Welcome Books or the Military Family Services U.S. Family Guide.
Once you have registered, you will have medical insurance coverage through TRICARE – allowing you to access any military installation medical centers. So if you are at a location that has a base hospital, you can set up doctor's appointments with the base doctor, and if they offer the services – pharmacy, labs, and imaging and birthing centers. This is highly recommended as services are free and the paperwork is considerably reduced.
If you are in a location that does not have a base hospital or has limited services at the base hospital, or if you just feel more comfortable going to a civilian medical provider, you have the right to do so. However, this choice means that you will have to use the Canadian Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) as your insurance provider. To ensure continuity of dependent health care needs, serving CAF members who are posted to the US with dependents must obtain "Comprehensive Coverage" provided under the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP). This should have been established by the CAF member prior to crossing the border and can be completed using the Sunlife website. The PSHCP Comprehensive Coverage provides for CAF dependents, inpatient, outpatient visits and hospital needs commensurate with the benefits offered by the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan (OHIP), that are not covered by TRICARE, or if a Civilian Medical Center is used for services. For more information about this process, refer to the CDLS(W) or NORAD Welcome Books and the Military Family Services U.S. Family Guide.
Allianz Global is the name of the PSHCP provider during your OUTCAN. Should you choose to use a civilian facility there are two options available to make payment for services: the facility may be able to invoice the Public Service Health Care Plan service provider Allianz Global directly, or you may be required to pay the invoice and then you will submit a claim to Allianz. Check with the civilian provider prior to making any commitment to services. Advances may be available.
View the recording: Navigating Healthcare in the U.S.