Important Information for TRICARE Beneficiaries about Walgreens
The administrator of the TRICARE pharmacy benefit has made a commitment to provide a prescription drug benefit that meets the needs of beneficiaries in an effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner. One of the ways we do this is by negotiating competitive rates for prescription drugs with retail pharmacies in our network.
As you may have heard, Walgreens* has stopped participating as a provider in the Express Scripts pharmacy network as of 1 January 2012.
The prices Walgreens offered to Express Scripts for filling prescriptions would cost TRICARE more than other pharmacies filling the same prescriptions. It would mean the cost to TRICARE would increase. Every dollar of cost savings from the discounted prices we negotiate with network pharmacies result directly in savings for the TRICARE program.
If you fill a prescription at Walgreens, you will pay 100% of the cost and you will need to file a paper claim for non-network benefit reimbursement. For more information, view your detailed copayment/cost share information. To avoid potential disruption to your medication, it is important for you to take action now.
We realize that this poses an inconvenience to you, and Express Scripts is committed to making the transition to an alternative pharmacy as simple as possible.
There are two easy ways to transfer prescriptions currently being filled at Walgreens:
Have the medications you take on an ongoing basis safely and conveniently delivered to your home through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. We can help you switch your eligible prescriptions to Home Delivery today. Have your prescription bottles handy and click here to begin. You will be directed to your online account login. Simply sign in or create an account if you haven't already and click on the "Switch your prescriptions to Home Delivery" link on the left hand side of the screen.
If TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery isn't for you, simply take your current prescription bottles to the network pharmacy of your choice. You may fill your prescriptions at other major pharmacies and independent drug stores that remain part of the network. Our Find a Pharmacy tool helps you quickly find local, network pharmacies convenient for you.
If you have questions, please call us anytime at 1-877-885-6313.
*Walgreens-owned affiliates include Duane Reade, Happy Harry's and OptionCare.