Prime Travel Benefit

What is the Prime Travel Benefit?

The Prime Travel Benefit reimburses reasonable travel expensesAmounts you pay when traveling to and from your appointment.  This includes mileage, meals, tolls, parking, lodging, local transportation, and tickets for public transportation. for a qualified trip by a TRICARE Prime enrollee. >>Learn More.

If your Primary Care Provider (PCM) is at a military hospital or clinic, please contact them for specific forms and submission instructions.

If your PCM is a civilian provider, you must submit the following required documents packet to the TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit Office.

Note: If you or your sponsor is an active or retired member of the Coast Guard, with a military or civilian PCM, please follow the guidance below. 

Getting Started

• Download and read the Prime Travel Information Sheet and the Prime Travel Benefit Tip Sheet.
• Use the Prime Travel Benefit Traveler Checklist to make sure you include all required documents with your travel claim.

Required Documents

If you don't include all of the required documents, TRICARE can't process your claim. Be sure to make copies of everything for your records. See tip below if you're having problems accessing any of the forms.

Form/Document	Instructions
DHA 131 Patient Information Form	The form must be completely filled out and signed.
Travel Claim Forms: DD Form 1351-2 DD From 1351-2c DD Form 1351-3	Patients and non-active duty Non-Medical Attendants (NMAs): Complete both forms Active duty NMAs: Complete only the DD Form 1351-2 View the Instructions and Examples for help completing the DD 1351-2 form
Itemized Receipts	Include legible, itemized receipts for all travel claims. Credit card or bank statements don't qualify as receipts. Receipts must be dated during the approved travel timeline or they won't be reimbursed.
Proof that you Attended the Appointment Form DHA 126 Confirmation of Specialty Care:	A note from the Specialty CareSpecialized medical/surgical diagnosis, treatment, or services a primary care provider isn’t qualified to provide. provider's office verifying that you attended the appointment or submit the DHA 126 Form.
Non-Medical Attendant Letter (Needed for adult patients who are 18 years or older)	A letter from your doctor stating that a non-medical attendant (NMA) is appropriate and medically-necessary. (Only required when you have a NMA). For chronic conditions, the doctor may request the letter be valid for up to one year.
Direct Deposit Authorization Form	All payments are made by electronic funds transfer (EFT).

Submit Packages

You must file your travel claim within one year of the travel date. Send all required documents via email, fax or mail.

• Email: dha.tricareptb@health.mil
  • Note: DoD SAFE (Secure Access File Exchange) is a service to make it easy for you to exchange unclassified files up to 8.0 GB that can’t be sent through email. Visit https://safe.apps.mil/. If you don’t have a Common Access Card (CAC), please let us know (email above). We'll send you a drop-off request so you can use DoD SAFE.
• Fax: 1-210-536-6176
• Mail:
  Prime Travel Office
  7800 W Interstate 10, Ste. 400
  San Antonio, TX 78230

Important Note: Don’t send Protected Health Information via unencrypted email. Also, don’t send encrypted messages to dha.tricareptb@health.mil. 

Your Reimbursement

• Travel claims are processed using the Defense Travel System (DTS).
• Include legible, itemized receipts for all travel expenses with each claim. Fuel receipts aren't needed when using your personal vehicle.
• TRICARE uses government rates to reimburse the reasonable expenses. This includes City Pairs for flight allowances. 
• Please allow up to four weeks for your payment to be processed.

Tips for Downloading and Signing Forms:

To download certain forms:

• Due to security settings, you may need to download and install the Adobe Acrobat Reader software
• Right-click on the form number
• Select "Save Link As"

To sign certain forms. If you’re:

• Getting the forms on a non-government computer:
  • Create a digital signature ID
  • Digitally sign the form
• Getting the forms on your phone or tablet:
  • Use the “Fill & Sign” tool in Adobe Acrobat to create a digital signature ID
  • Digitally sign the form

Note: If your devices aren’t compatible, you’ll need to print and manually sign the forms.