Changes to TRICARE Pharmacy Copays
Falls Church, Virginia –
If you’re a family member enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote and living in the U.S., there’s some good news: starting February 28, 2026, you won’t have to pay copays when filling covered prescriptions. This applies to both retail network pharmacies and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. It’s worth noting that active military personnel, including those on TRICARE Prime Remote, already don’t pay these copays.
Tayshia Robertson, a commander with the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, mentioned that this change will help active-duty family members who live far from military hospitals or clinics. “Those enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote will see no copays for covered medications,” she added, emphasizing how this can significantly ease pharmacy expenses.
No action is necessary on your part for this change to take effect. You won’t need to submit claims for reimbursement; starting February 28, your copayment for covered drugs will automatically be $0 if you use a retail network pharmacy or opt for home delivery. If you’re looking for a retail pharmacy near you, resources are available online.
However, if you’re living overseas, keep in mind that this copay waiver does not apply to you. Family members registered under TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas will still incur pharmacy copayment fees based on their chosen options.
The waiver covers all eligible prescriptions, including non-prescription medications that require medical necessity approval from Express Scripts. If approval isn’t obtained, you’ll have to fill prescriptions at a retail pharmacy, where you’ll be responsible for the entire medication cost.
If you take maintenance medications, you still need to have them refilled either via home delivery or at retail pharmacies, but there are limits on how many times you can fill them in certain places before needing to follow additional guidelines.
It’s crucial to remember that if you fill prescriptions for drugs not covered by TRICARE, you will bear all costs. Additionally, prior authorization requirements for certain medications remain in effect.
For more information about eligible medications and TRICARE pharmacy benefits, it’s a good idea to explore the TRICARE pharmacy program to understand your options and manage your prescriptions better.
