Tricare beneficiaries who take name-brand medications for chronic conditions — such as Lipitor or Crestor to lower cholesterol, Advair for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or Prozac for depression — must fill them at a military treatment facility or through the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy system starting Oct. 1.

If patients use generic versions of any medicines for chronic illnesses, they can still purchase them at a Tricare retail pharmacy but will pay more than they do now — $8 for a 30-day prescription instead of $5. Medications needed for acute care are not affected by the change, and patients starting new medications for chronic conditions will be able to fill the first 30-day prescription at a retail pharmacy to ensure that there is no lag-time between receiving a script and filling it.

Tricare will issue more details on the program as the date approaches to ensure a smooth transition.

Also, beneficiaries who fill prescriptions will see all copayments increase, except at military treatment facilities where medications will continue to be distributed free of charge. At network pharmacies, co-pays will be $8 for a 30-day supply of a generic medication, $20 for a brand-name medication and $47 for a nonformulary medication.

By mail, the co-payments will be $0 for a generic for a 90-day supply, $16 for brand name and $46 for non-formulary medications.

About Patricia Kime

Patricia Kime is a senior writer covering military and veterans health care, medicine and personnel issues.

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