10/03/2024 | Press release | Archived content
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Information for Patients: About TRICARE| Women's Health| Reproductive HealthFALLS CHURCH, Va. - Are you expecting a baby in 2025? Have you considered getting breastfeeding counseling or support from a labor doula?
If so, you should know about some changes coming to the TRICARE Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration on Jan. 1, 2025. This demonstration provides childbirth and breastfeeding support services to those who have TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, or TRICARE Select. In 2025, the CBSD will expand overseas. There are also some new certification and participation requirements for labor doulas in the United States.
"These changes are built into the five-year demonstration. This helps us understand how these providers support our pregnant beneficiaries," explained Erica Ferron, management and program analyst, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency. "We believe the expanded demonstration will help us serve the needs of our military parents and children across the world."
In 2025, the CBSD will still include services from these TRICARE-authorized providers:
Keep reading to learn more about what's changing-and what's staying the same-in the CBSD in 2025.
Here are the key changes to childbirth support in the U.S. beginning Jan. 1:
The CBSD expands overseas and to U.S. territories Jan. 1, 2025. The TRICARE overseas regional contractor is International SOS.
However, the CBSD works differently than it does in the U.S. Here's what to know and do.
To be eligible for the CBSD, you must:
Overseas, you must register for the CBSD before you get any services. You can sign up starting Oct. 3. To register, contact International SOS via phone or email. You'll get an email with information about the CBSD if you live overseas and get an inpatient authorization for obstetric care.
You should register as early as possible in your pregnancy. After you register, International SOS will let you know if they can find a TRICARE-authorized provider within 14 days.
Work with International SOS to find a labor doula or lactation consultant or counselor. This will help make sure that TRICARE covers your provider's services.
Overseas, labor doulas don't need to sign a participation agreement. But they must still meet certain qualifications. Countries with the most overseas births will include CBSD providers in searchable provider directories. This will help you find covered providers.
It's important to know that TRICARE can't guarantee CBSD services overseas. International SOS will try to find a provider for every eligible and interested beneficiary, but it may not always be possible.
Note: You shouldn't enter into a contractual agreement with a labor doula before International SOS confirms that TRICARE will cover their services. If you do, you may need to pay the full cost of those services.
You should also ask about any country-specific restrictions on a provider's services. For example, some countries don't allow labor doulas in the delivery room.
The CBSD overseas includes the same benefits as it does in the U.S. These are:
The CBSD doesn't cover:
Do you think you may move to or from the U.S. during your pregnancy? If so, there are a few more things to keep in mind. If you're moving:
The CBSD ends in the U.S. and overseas Dec. 31, 2026. At this time, TRICARE will decide if this coverage will become permanent.
Want to unlock your health by learning more about the CBSD? Check out Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration, or contact your regional contractor for more information.
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