September 4, 2015 -- Beginning Oct. 1, 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, according to an article from TRICARE’s website,
www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules.
Beneficiaries who keep using a retail pharmacy for these
drugs will have to pay the full cost.
Maintenance drugs are those individuals take regularly for a
long time, such as drugs to control blood pressure or cholesterol. The law does
not apply to drugs people take for a short time, like antibiotics or generic
drugs.
Beneficiaries living overseas, or with other prescription
drug coverage, are not affected.
The TRICARE pharmacy contractor, Express Scripts, is sending
a letter to beneficiaries taking an affected drug, explaining their options.
Beneficiaries can call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303 to see if they are
affected.
After Oct. 1, beneficiaries still filling an affected drug
at a retail pharmacy will receive another letter informing them of the change
to the benefit. After that, beneficiaries have one final “courtesy” fill at a
retail pharmacy. If they fill at a retail pharmacy again, they have to pay 100
percent of the cost of their medication.
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery is a safe, convenient and low
cost option to get maintenance drugs. Beneficiaries can get up to a 90-day
supply as opposed to a 30-day supply from a retail pharmacy. They save up to
$176 a year for every brand name drug they switch to Home Delivery.
Military pharmacies offer up to a 90-day supply of drugs at
zero co-pay, but not all drugs are available. Service members, retirees and
family members can check with their local military pharmacies to see if they
carry their prescriptions.
For more information about this change to TRICARE’s pharmacy
benefit, visit www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules.