Can tricare insurance deny coverage if you travel (pregnant)

My experience with Tricare is that they tell you nothing and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised when the bill comes. And, you will get a different answer depending on who you talk to, your branch of service, and what health care system you are using. Really, her best bet is to read the coverage booklet and try her best to figure it out from there. Or get to a higher up at the health clinic for some solid answers.

There certainly are women who travel home for a birth. But the tricky thing here is that if the dr is saying "no travel" and she ignores that edict, Tricare may have legal ground. And most airlines won't allow a woman over 36 weeks pregnant to fly. And if she doesn't have access to military health care, that can affect the coverage as well. But it's my understanding that a birth is billed as complete coverage, minus a 3 day co payment to cap at $25. At least that's what it was when I had my two (both in civilian hospitals, but for high risk reasons.)

ETA:  I'm just remembering this.  When I had DD, I had her in a birthing center. DS was in the NICU when he was born and I was worried about this for DD, since I had the same health issues.  We were told that if we chose to go to a hospital (vs. the birthing center) for DD's birth, we would be billed for the whole amount.  I can't say if this is true, but since DS's bill was $25,000 for his first day, we chose to go to the birthing center and were prepared to fight for a transfer if needed.

Is it possible for mom to go to her? My MIL came to stay with us for a month before/after DS was born (that's a whole 'nother issue!) and then for a few days after DD was born. I'm a huge believer in the dad being there is possible.

It's been since 2011, and we were on the version of TriCare offered to Reservists, but there was something in my paperwork regarding this. If I remember correctly, it stated that coverage would be limited or excluded if I delivered more than 100 miles from my address of record zip code on file with DEERS in the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy without pre-approval for the trip from physician and TriCare.

It seems unnecessarily risky...in many more ways than one. Having her mom there is simply a want...and sometimes as an adult, you have to weigh your wants vs. your needs and add necessary risk factors in.

If your co-worker doesn't mind risking having the baby on the road (and I can't imagine a car trip from GA to MI will be very pleasant for a woman that pregnant either) and has plenty of money to burn should Tri-Care not cover her expenses, sounds like a fantastic idea.

I honestly don't mean to sound like a bitch, but really? A grown assed woman, with her military DH HOME WITH HER wants to go to mommy's house to have a baby? What. The. Hell.

If it's gramma-to-be that wants her baby home to have a baby, then gramma needs to take whatever leave she has and go to DDs house. Besides, whatever it would cost gramma to miss work and travel could not possibly be as expensive as the cost of having a baby w/out insurance to cover it.

If the mom-to-be is the one wanting to travel, one would hope someone, either DH or Gramma, would vote to err on the side of caution and make her stay home, as the doctor instructed.

And lets not forget dad-to-be. What the hell is he thinking even considering this?

Who, may I ask, is thinking about what's best for the baby?

I think it's absurd to even consider traveling that far when your doctor has already said no travel. Someone should have grown up before having a baby.

Your thread topic says against doctor's orders, but your post further down says the doctor said no problem to the traveling?

Dumb bass move. No airline is going to let her on. Mom needs to take leave and go to her.

I agree. Grandma can take FMLA to be with her daughter to care for her.

I cannot imagine already dilating and then getting in a car to go bumpety bump of that baby's head on the dilating cervix. And the bladder! For hundreds of miles. With strangers to deliver if it comes along the way. She should stay home and grandma can take some sick or personal days shouldering the weekend after she gives birth.

I am confused by the OP. Was she actually put on bed rest or something? Or is it more about the last line implying you can't travel the last couple weeks of a pregnancy? My OB never restricted travel at any point in the pregnancies. His exact words were, "I am not the only OB around. If are sitting a long time just make sure you get up and move around every 1 to 2 hours."

ETA:  I had no travel restrictions with my insurances either. Just have to make sure the hospital was in network to avoid higher out of pocket.

Whether or not the birth would be covered by Tricare would be at the bottom of my list of reasons not to do what she's planning.


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These kinds of military wives cause me to sprain my eyes from rolling them so hard. You're safe, your spouse is home, have your baby where you are. Suck it up, buttercup, and quit being a nutsack.