Medications
TRICARE covers most prescription medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medications may be available as part of the pharmacy or medical benefit. In general, for a medication to be covered by the TRICARE Pharmacy Program, it must:
- Be approved by the FDA
- Not be part of a procedure covered under the medical benefit; and
- Be prescribed in accordance with good medical practice and established standards of quality.
Vaccines
The TRICARE Pharmacy Program also covers some covered vaccines for zero copayment at participating retail network pharmacies. All 50 states and D.C. allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, but state laws vary on which vaccines may be administered in network pharmacies. You are strongly encouraged to contact your pharmacist in advance to make sure the vaccine you need is available and in stock at network pharmacy.
Non-Covered Medications
TRICARE does not cover medications that are not medically or psychologically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of a TRICARE-covered illness. Click here to view a list of common non-covered medications.
Search the TRICARE Formulary
You can find details about prescribed medications, including medications covered by TRICARE's medical benefit, by searching the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool.
What if the drug I need was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
In most cases, newly FDA-approved prescription medications are available from TRICARE network pharmacies and home delivery shortly after they become commercially available. Exceptions include medications not covered by TRICARE, medications considered to be part of the medical, rather than pharmacy benefit, and medications not considered suitable or feasible for outpatient dispensing through the retail network or home delivery. Information on newly approved medications is added to the Formulary Search Tool on a weekly basis.
What does it mean when a medication is covered under the "medical" benefit?
For a prescription medication to be covered under the medical benefit, it's usually a medication that is provided to you while you're hospitalized or during an outpatient visit. It's not a prescription that you would normally have filled at a pharmacy.
Smart Disposal of Medications
Unused portions of your medicines must be disposed of properly to avoid harm. >>Learn More
September 28, 2012 is National Medication Take Back Day >>Find a Disposal Location Near You
Last Modified:March 15, 2012
PrintContact
Express Scripts
Customer Service
1-877-363-1303
www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE
