Making sure your child’s medical care transitions smoothly during a relocation requires extra preparation. Finding a new provider and building a relationship takes time, especially if your child has a medical condition that requires regular examination and care. However, taking proactive steps can help minimize the stress that comes with relocating.

Family spoke to Space Force spouse, Kate Bertelli-Wilinski. Kate is married to Major Christopher Wilinski, and they are currently stationed at the Pentagon. They have one child who is six years old.

What are some ways to manage medical care most effectively during a PCS?

Navigating changes to medical care during a PCS can be complicated. How you engage will depend on your circumstances, such as the service member’s duty location, and the type of insurance plan that you are subscribed to. Here are some general best practice tips.

Tip 1: Familiarize Yourself with Insurance Basics

Basic terminology to know includes premiums, co-pay, co-insurance, deductible, out-of-pocket costs, catastrophic cap, TRICARE Open Season (aka “enrollment period,” “open enrollment,” or “enrollment window”), and Qualifying Life Event (QLE).

You’ll also benefit by understanding the following:

• differences between “HMO” and “PPO” type plans
• differences between TRICARE-authorized providers (either “network” or “non-network”/“certified”) and non-authorized providers (aka “non-participating providers”)
• National Provider Identifiers (NPI’s) and how both a facility and individual provider identifier (alongside a facility TIN or EIN and the Facility Billing Address) can help with verifying network status

Tip 2: Know Your Coverage Options

Insurance companies, including TRICARE, offer different types of insurance plans. These are outlined in detail in 32 CFR 199.17(p)(5) (ii). The plans available to you depend on your circumstances. Since a PCS is considered a “Qualifying Life Event,” it is a perfect opportunity to review your coverage options. Communicate with TRICARE to learn about your options and determine what may be best for you and your family, including asking for the latest annual “Facts and Fees” sheet to keep tabs on any out-of-pocket costs.

Tip 3: Master Your Medical Records

Keep electronic copies of medical records, organizing them by specialty or provider with clear, searchable file names (e.g., "ChildName_2025-01-15_AllergyTest"). Since providers use different Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, maintaining your own records ensures accuracy. For example, just this year an MTF provider believed my child was missing a vaccine and wanted to schedule a visit. Through my records, I determined they were mistaken and avoided a duplicate vaccination.

In addition to medical records, create a “Conversations Log” to keep track of insurance and billing-related phone calls (to include dates, call reference numbers, and key details). This will come in handy if you need to refer to information shared about appointments, provider network status, and other billing-related disputes.

Tip 4: Account for Medical Appointments in your PCS Timeline

As you approach your PCS window, identify any upcoming important medical appointments or procedures. If needed, the service member can work with their leadership and/or the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) to adjust their report date to accommodate essential medical needs. Factoring in healthcare early can help prevent gaps in care during the transition.

Tip 5: Locate Care Before You Need It

Sometimes you’ll need care before you can see your primary provider. Research local facilities in advance —check reviews on public sites like Google, Healthgrades, provider websites, and social media groups. Confirm each provider’s NPI and verify their network.