TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program

BENEFIT: Starting on April 1, 2001, the pharmacy benefit provides Medicare-eligible retirees of the uniformed services, their family members and survivors the same pharmacy benefit as retirees who are under age 65. It replaces the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Benefit and the Pharmacy Redesign Pilot Program. The TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program provides access to the following pharmacy options:

• Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) Pharmacy: You can continue to get available medications at no charge through the MTF pharmacies. Simply present your written prescription to the pharmacist, or follow your MTF procedures.

• National Mail Order Pharmacy (NMOP): This is a great option if you take maintenance medication for a chronic health problem. You register with the NMOP then simply mail your written prescription along with your co-payment and you'll receive up to a 90-day supply of most medications. You can get the registration form by calling 1-800-903-4680. You must also ensure that the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) has your current address. To update your address in DEERS, call 1-800-538-9552 or visit https//www.tricare.osd.mil/DEERSADDRESS/
• Retail Network Pharmacy: This is a good option if you don't live near an MTF and need to get medication for an acute problem. The TRICARE Network Pharmacies are retail pharmacies that have contracted with TRICARE to serve beneficiaries. All you need to do is present your prescription and military ID card at a networked pharmacy and you'll receive up to a 30-day supply of medications. For a list of TRICARE network pharmacies in your area visit www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy/retail_network.htm

• Retail Non-Network Pharmacy: This is the most expensive option but ensures that everyone has access to the pharmacy benefit. In most cases, you pay the full retail price at the pharmacy and then file a claim for appropriate reimbursement. Beneficiaries usually receive reimbursement of 80% of the full retail price for medications, after you have met the TRICARE annual deductible amount ($150 per individual, $300 per family).

ELIGIBILITY: The pharmacy program is open to uniformed services retirees age 65 and over. However, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and the new benefits may require you to be enrolled in Medicare Part B depending on when you turn 65.

• Beneficiaries who will be 65 before April 1, 2001, DO NOT have to enroll in Medicare Part B to use any of the pharmacy options.
• Beneficiaries who turn 65 on or after April 1, 2001, MUST be enrolled in Medicare Part B to use the NMOP or retail pharmacy benefits.

YOUR COSTS: There is no enrollment fee for this new program. Co-payments or cost shares vary with each pharmacy option and the type of drug (brand name or generic brand). Please note that the NMOP provides three times the value, with up to a 90-day supply, versus the retail network with up to a 30-day supply of medication.

Place of Service	Generic	Name Brand
MTF	$0	$0
NMOP (90-day supply)	$3	$9
TRICARE Retail Network (up to 30-day supply)	$3	$9
Non-Network	$9 or 20% of total cost (whichever is greater). TRICARE deductibles apply ($150 per person/$300 per family)

If you have any questions or comments on senior health nutrition, fitness, etc., go to the Senior Health Forum where we are talking about the following:

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Sources:
UT Southwestern