Tricare Pharmacy Copay Update

Please define "Formulary", "Generic" and "Brand". I made the same comment to Express Scripts. One could include those definitions in links. Thanks.
John M. Gustin, Capt, USNR (Ret.)

CAPT,

The formulary is a medical plan list of approved medications. Generic and brand name drugs are on a formulary list. Non-formulary drugs are those which are not on the list but may be prescribed by your physician. A possible scenario for a non-formulary is your doctor prescribes a new drug that is not on the Tricare formulary. In that case, you should pay $25 for the drug. Once Tricare put it on the list (if it does at all), the cost as a brand name drug would be $12 or $9 based on the supply ordered.

V/R,
Mark Roach, LCDR, USNR (Ret.)

Very informative infoprmation but 40 days after the fact. I questioned my pharmacist when having to fill an antibiotic Rx from a retail pharmacy and was told of the new rates from the pharmacy.

The AUSN announcement does not seem reliable. 1. It says fees will increase on 1 Oct 2011. Well, that date is about 40 days in the past, so the question is: Did the fees increase on that date? Why was there no announcement at the time? 2. The fees listed for 90-day home delivery are actually LESS than the "current" fees of $3 generic, $9 non-generic, and $22 non-formulary. What gives?
Merritt D. Mullen, CDR, USNR (Ret)

The AUSN announcement is confusing since it combines two issues.

The change in prescription drug prices was announced well before I October in a number of publications. One of the objectives was to encourage more folks to sign up for mail order home delivery with generic medications preferred since this will save the government money. It should be noted that if a brand name medication is shown to be medically necessary, the price is lowered over what is given above. Details can be found at http://pec.ha.osd.mil/formulary_search.php .

Some legislators, including Sen. John McCain, are proposing a number of increases including basic TRICARE, prohibition of working age retirees working for a private company from using TRICARE as their insurer, and a yearly enrollment fee for TRICARE For Life coverage.

What publications is CAPT R. Mc Brayer referring to? are these publications that a tricare for life recipient would normally receive?

Every time the Democrats and the Republicans can't agree on a compromise the stock market goes down, our investments, retirement accounts, etc. all lose. Both parties are playing power politics at the expense of the American people.

I received my info from TRICARE and Express Scripts. This increase is minimal. When I see what civilians are paying for medications, I am thankful for my military benefits.
Having said that I would add, I am not happy with the direction Congress is taking when it comes to increases in costs for retired military.

prohibition of working age retirees working for a private company from using TRICARE as their insurer, and a yearly enrollment fee for TRICARE For Life coverage. Smartq N7