Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) on 30 SEP 16, announced upcoming changes to the retail pharmacy network it manages on behalf of TRICARE. On Dec. 1, 2016, Express Scripts will add Walgreens to the TRICARE® retail pharmacy network. CVS and CVS pharmacies in Target stores will no longer be in the network.
IMPORTANT: If you are currently filling a prescription at any CVS pharmacy, you should transfer it to another TRICARE pharmacy to avoid paying the full retail price for your medication.
What You Need to Know
* Starting Dec. 1, 2016, CVS pharmacies will leave the TRICARE retail pharmacy network. If you fill a prescription drug at a CVS pharmacy after that date, you will pay the full retail price* for your drugs. If beneficiaries chose to fill a prescription at CVS after Dec. 1, it will be a non-network pharmacy. This means they will have to pay the full cost of the medication upfront, and file for partial reimbursement.
* If you are currently filling a prescription at a CVS pharmacy, you should transfer it to another network pharmacy by Dec. 1.
* It’s easy to find another TRICARE Network Pharmacy near you. On Dec. 1, Walgreens will be included in the pharmacy locator and CVS pharmacies will be removed.
* More than 58,000 pharmacies are in the TRICARE network, including other national chains, grocery chains and independent pharmacies.
* Beginning Dec. 1, you can fill your prescriptions at Walgreens.
Please note: Beneficiaries can file a claim for a partial reimbursement of the cost of their medication when filling at a non-network pharmacy. For more information, visit tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Pharmacy/FillPrescriptions/NonNetwork.
Convenient Ways to Transfer Prescriptions
* Take your prescription drug bottles to the new pharmacy. The pharmacist there will contact your old pharmacy.
* Call your new pharmacy and have them get your prescription drug information from your old pharmacy.
* Ask your doctor to send your prescription drug information to your new pharmacy.
ESI and TRICARE are working to notify all beneficiaries of this change, and ensure that people currently using CVS have time to switch to another network pharmacy. ESI is doing additional outreach to patients filling specialty drugs at CVS pharmacies to ensure they can move their prescription with no gap in their prescription coverage.
Check to see if your prescription drugs, including any specialty drugs, are eligible for TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery by calling 855.778.1417. Additional information can be found at the following links: http://www.tricare.mil/PharmacyNetworkChange and https://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE/news/walgreens.shtml.