(Tribune News Service) — A temporary waiver in effect through Thursday allows active-duty and retired military personnel on TRICARE health plans to refill prescriptions without additional approval from prescribing doctors.
The federal Defense Health Agency granted the waiver in 19 California counties, including San Diego, to assist those who live in areas affected by severe winter storms.
Tricare beneficiaries can bring their empty prescription bottles to any retail pharmacy in the Tricare network or, if bottles are not available or their labels are unreadable, pharmacies can help look up prescription information. Visiting the same pharmacy that filled the original prescription is advised if possible.
Tricare is the main health care plan for active-duty service members, their families, retirees and others connected to military service with 9.6 million beneficiaries nationwide, more than 740,000 who live in California, according to the U.S. Military Health system.
The federal government also issued a reminder to those not on active duty that they have access to any Tricare-authorized urgent care clinic without a referral, allowing them to receive non-emergency care when their primary medical provider is not available.
In addition to San Diego, the other counties affected by the prescription refill waiver are: Alameda, Butte, Glenn, Lake, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Sutter and Ventura.
To find a network pharmacy, beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303, or search an online directory at militaryrx.express-scripts.com.
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A temporary waiver in effect through Thursday, April 4, 2024, allows active-duty and retired military personnel on TRICARE health plans to refill prescriptions without additional approval from prescribing doctors. (86th Airlift Wing )
