Changes to TRICARE pharmacy benefit enacted for fiscal year 2016

Published Oct. 7, 2015
By 354th Medical Group

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- As of Oct. 1, 2015, a new law requires all TRICARE beneficiaries, except active duty service members, to get select brand-name maintenance drugs through either TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or from a military pharmacy. Beneficiaries who keep using a retail pharmacy for these drugs will have to pay the full cost.

Maintenance drugs are drugs you take regularly for a long time, such as to control blood pressure or cholesterol. The law does not apply to drugs you take for a short time, like antibiotics, nor does it apply to generic drugs.

If you are one of the affected beneficiaries, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts, sent you a letter in September explaining your options. The lowest cost option for yourself and for the federal government is to fill at your local military pharmacy.

"Ninety-five percent of the time we stock or can order the medication you need," said Capt. Jacob Mock, 354th Medical Group pharmacy element chief. "There is no co-pay when filling at a military pharmacy, so we hope you come in to see us, so we can save you some money."

Beneficiaries can contact Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 if they have any questions or contact the Eielson pharmacy at 907-377-1462.

Co-pays using TRICARE mail order are as follows: $0 for generic drugs, $16 for brand-name drugs and $46 for non-formulary drugs. These prices are good for up to a 90 day supply of your medication by mail.

For more about this change to TRICARE's pharmacy benefit, visit www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules.