Starting Oct. 24, about 15,000 independent pharmacies will no longer be in the TRICARE retail pharmacy network . Even with these departures, beneficiaries will still have access to more than 40,000 pharmacies.
Express Scripts , the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, manages the network under a Department of Defense contract. This change prepares for the next TRICARE pharmacy contract.
“The Defense Health Agency is confident that the new pharmacy contract maintains the quality of the TRICARE retail pharmacy network,” said Edward Norton Jr., chief of the Pharmacy Operations Division.
Over 90 percent of beneficiaries will have at least one network pharmacy within 15 minutes of their home. Your TRICARE pharmacy retail network includes:
- Chain pharmacies
- Independent neighborhood pharmacies
- Grocery stores
- Wholesale warehouse stores
In mid-September, Express Scripts mailed letters to those affected. These letters include a list of nearby network pharmacies. You can also use the Find a Pharmacy tool on or after Oct. 24 to locate pharmacies once the network update takes effect.
If you want to transfer a prescription before Oct. 24, you can use any of these options:
- Bring your prescription bottles to another in-network pharmacy and follow their process.
- Ask your doctor to send your prescription to your new pharmacy.
- Call your new in-network pharmacy and request a transfer.
Other cost-effective options include TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or a military pharmacy . Home delivery allows up to a 90-day supply for a single copayment, while retail network pharmacies require three copayments for a 90-day supply. You can review copayments on the TRICARE Costs page.
You can also visit the Express Scripts website to transfer qualifying medications to home delivery , or you can use a military hospital or clinic .
If you fill a prescription at a non-network pharmacy, you’ll pay full retail cost. As outlined in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Handbook , you will need to file a claim for reimbursement, and deductible or out-of-network cost-shares will apply.
Using specialty medications ? Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Accredo will be the primary in-network specialty pharmacy. You can switch now by calling 1-877-882-3324 or visiting the Accredo website .
For questions about the network changes or other TRICARE pharmacy benefits, visit the Pharmacy section of the TRICARE website or contact Express Scripts .
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