TRICARE offers comprehensive prescription drug coverage and several options for filling prescriptions. All TRICARE beneficiaries are eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, administered by Express Scripts, Inc. (Express Scripts). To fill prescriptions, beneficiaries need written prescriptions and valid uniformed services ID cards or Common Access Cards (CACs).
TRICARE beneficiaries have the following options for filling prescriptions:
- MTF pharmacies:
Using an MTF pharmacy is the least expensive option, but formularies may vary by MTF pharmacy location. Contact the local MTF pharmacy to check availability before prescribing a medication.
- TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery:
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (formerly TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy) is the preferred method when not using an MTF pharmacy.
- TRICARE retail network pharmacies:
Beneficiaries can access a network of approximately 60,000 retail pharmacies in the United States and U.S. territories (American Samoa,* Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
- Non-network retail pharmacies:
Filling prescriptions at a non-network retail pharmacy is the most expensive option and is not recommended to beneficiaries.
All prescriptions filled through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery must have the prescriber’s handwritten signature. For more information about benefits and costs, visit
TRICARE's Pharmacy portal or
Express Scripts' TRICARE Pharmacy Program or call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303.
Note: USFHP participants may only use the pharmacy benefits provided under that program.
* Currently, there are no TRICARE retail network pharmacies in American Samoa.
Member Choice Center
The Member Choice Center helps TRICARE beneficiaries transfer their current retail and MTF pharmacy maintenance medication prescriptions to home delivery. If one of your patients uses the Member Choice Center, an Express Scripts patient-care advocate may contact you for patient and prescription information.
To learn more about the Member Choice Center, call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 or access information online by visiting
TRICARE's Pharmacy portal or
Express Scripts' TRICARE Pharmacy Program.
Quantity Limits
TRICARE has established quantity limits on certain medications, which means the Department of Defense (DoD) only pays for up to a specified, limited amount of medication each time the beneficiary fills a prescription. Quantity limits are often applied to ensure medications are safely and appropriately used. Exceptions to established quantity limits may be made if the prescribing provider is able to justify medical necessity. Visit the
DoD's Pharmacoeconomic Center for a general list of TRICARE-covered prescription drugs that have quantity limits.
Prior Authorizations
Some drugs require prior authorization from Express Scripts. Medications requiring prior authorization may include, but are not limited to, prescription drugs specified by the DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, brand-name medications with generic equivalents, medications with age limitations, and medications prescribed for quantities exceeding normal limits. Visit the
DoD Pharmacoeconomic Center for a general list of TRICARE-covered prescription drugs that require prior authorization and to access prior authorization and medical-necessity criteria forms for retail network pharmacy and home delivery prescriptions. MTF pharmacies may follow different procedures. At the top of each form, there is information on where to send the completed form. For assistance, call 1-877-363-1303.
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