Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan

The Department of Defense has established a pilot program to explore provisions of certain health care support to DOD civilian employees in Japan. The Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan assists eligible civilian employees with health care navigation, including provider finder services, direct billing agreements, and insurance reimbursement. This action was directed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness after a year-long effort to identify and address concerns about access to medical care for DOD civilian employees stationed in Japan.

How is the Program Managed?
DOD awarded a contract to International SOS Government Services, Inc., the prime contractor for the TRICARE Overseas Program, for this service. International SOS has established a 24/7 call center with bilingual staff and nurses to support participants with provider finder services, making appointments, direct billing agreements, and improved reimbursement processes. These financial services will reduce the burden of civilian employees locating a provider on their own and paying upfront for care.

















Who's Eligible?
To be eligible, the employee must be enrolled in a participating health plan with coverage for Japan through the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.

The services provided by the pilot began Jan. 1, 2025, and run through Sept. 29, 2025. If you changed your plan, or are newly enrolled in a plan, coverage takes effect the first day of the first full pay period in January, which is Jan. 12, 2025. Participants won’t pay any fees to access these services. Any required copayments or cost shares per the health benefit policies will remain applicable and the employee will be financially responsible.

Employees working in Japan with the following military departments, defense agencies, and DOD field activities are eligible for this supplemental coverage:

• Department of the Army
• Department of the Navy
• Department of the Air Force
• Defense Information System Agency
• Defense Logistics Agency
• Department of Defense Education Activity
• Defense Commissary Agency
• Defense Contract Management Agency
• Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• Defense Health Agency
• Defense Media Activity
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency
• National Security Agency
• Defense Intelligence Agency
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Participating Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans

• Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Foreign Service Benefit Plan
• Hawaii Medical Service Association
• Government Employees Health Association
• Mail Handlers Benefit Plan

NAF employees in Japan are eligible for the pilot program services if they’ve elected coverage with their insurance carrier, Aetna International.

Want to learn more? Review the Pilot Program Fact Sheet.