ALCOAST 122/18 - APR 2018 PRIME TRAVEL BENEFIT (PTB) ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSITION

R 041414 APR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N06010//
ALCOAST 122/18
COMDTNOTE 6010
SUBJ:  PRIME TRAVEL BENEFIT (PTB) ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSITION
1. This ALCOAST announces changes to the Prime Travel Benefit (PTB) program. 
This policy change will go into effect on 01 April 2018.
2. PTB reimburses your travel expenses when your primary care manager (PCM)
refers you for medically necessary, non-emergency care; the specialty care
provider is more than 100 miles (one-way) from your PCM’s office; and there
is no other specialty care provider within 100 miles. To be eligible for PTB,
beneficiaries must be either active duty family members or a retired service
member or a family member of a retired service member, and must have a referral
from their PCM.
3. Effective 01 April 2018, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), which currently manages
the Department of Defense PTB program, will administer PTB claims for the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard will continue to reimburse travel costs and reasonable administration
fees, while DHA will set policies and procedures in compliance with laws and regulations
and in conformity with those applied for all uniformed services. Your entitlement will
not be impacted by this change; however, there will be revisions in the procedure for
requesting reimbursement for their medical appointment travel. 
4. Beginning 01 April 2018, the new contact number for the DHA Tricare PTB is:
1-844-204-9351. All requests for travel scheduled after 01 April 2018 must be sent to:
dha.tricareptb@mail.mil. 
5. Coast Guard Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinators (BCAC) are available
to answer your questions. The BCACs can be reached at 1-800-9HBA-HBA (800-942-2422). 
6. The POC for this message is HSCS Garett Bush at (510) 437-3987; or email
Garett.T.Bush@uscg.mil.
7. RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life, sends.
8. Internet release authorized.