Home > News > Article Display

TRICARE beneficiaries can skip co-pay during two-year test

By / Published July 05, 2007

PRINT | E-MAIL

Related Stories

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFPN) -- A two-year test authorized by the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter versions of certain prescription drugs without a copayment.  

For now, the test includes the TRICARE mail order pharmacy only. Plans call for expansion to retail network pharmacies once program details are ironed out. 

"The drugs included in this test initially are among the most widely prescribed, those treating gastro-intestinal disorders," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, the deputy director for TRICARE Management Activity.  

Known as "proton pump inhibitors," this class of medications includes the prescription drugs Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, Zegerid and Prilosec. 

Under the test, beneficiaries receiving a prescription proton pump inhibitor are eligible to receive Prilosec OTC, the only proton pump inhibitor available over the counter. The Department of Defense Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee found there is no significant clinical difference between Prilosec OTC and its prescription-only counterparts. 

"By requesting that their doctors prescribe the OTC version, beneficiaries can save money on their copay and there is the additional potential to save the government money as well," General Granger said. 

OTC drugs are generally less expensive, by as much as 400 percent in some cases.
Once the OTC test works its way to retail pharmacies, beneficiaries, however, should not expect to walk into any drug store and get OTC products for free at the register, caution TRICARE officials. Beneficiaries will still have to get a prescription from their doctor for the OTC drugs. 

Beneficiaries already taking the selected prescription proton pump inhibitors through the mail order pharmacy will get a letter telling them about the new program whenever they order medications that qualify them to participate in the OTC test project. 

TRICARE encourages beneficiaries who have not used the mail order pharmacy in the past, but are taking medications included in the test, to get information on how to sign up at www.tricare.mil/pharmacy/tmop.cfm. 

"Through the mail order program, initially beneficiaries can get up to a 90-day supply and have it delivered right to their mailbox. Remember, it's free so it saves money for beneficiaries and potential savings to the government may help sustain the Tricare benefit," said General Granger. 

Medication classes under consideration for future testing include topical anti-fungals and non-sedating antihistamines.
USAF Comments Policy
If you wish to comment, use the text box below. AF reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.

This is a moderated forum. That means all comments will be reviewed before posting. In addition, we expect that participants will treat each other, as well as our agency and our employees, with respect. We will not post comments that contain abusive or vulgar language, spam, hate speech, personal attacks, violate EEO policy, are offensive to other or similar content. We will not post comments that are spam, are clearly "off topic", promote services or products, infringe copyright protected material, or contain any links that don't contribute to the discussion. Comments that make unsupported accusations will also not be posted. The AF and the AF alone will make a determination as to which comments will be posted. Any references to commercial entities, products, services, or other non-governmental organizations or individuals that remain on the site are provided solely for the information of individuals using this page. These references are not intended to reflect the opinion of the AF, DoD, the United States, or its officers or employees concerning the significance, priority, or importance to be given the referenced entity, product, service, or organization. Such references are not an official or personal endorsement of any product, person, or service, and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying AF endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service.

Any comments that report criminal activity including: suicidal behaviour or sexual assault will be reported to appropriate authorities including OSI. This forum is not:

  • This forum is not to be used to report criminal activity. If you have information for law enforcement, please contact OSI or your local police agency.
  • Do not submit unsolicited proposals, or other business ideas or inquiries to this forum. This site is not to be used for contracting or commercial business.
  • This forum may not be used for the submission of any claim, demand, informal or formal complaint, or any other form of legal and/or administrative notice or process, or for the exhaustion of any legal and/or administrative remedy.

AF does not guarantee or warrant that any information posted by individuals on this forum is correct, and disclaims any liability for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on any such information. AF may not be able to verify, does not warrant or guarantee, and assumes no liability for anything posted on this website by any other person. AF does not endorse, support or otherwise promote any private or commercial entity or the information, products or services contained on those websites that may be reached through links on our website.

Members of the media are asked to send questions to the public affairs through their normal channels and to refrain from submitting questions here as comments. Reporter questions will not be posted. We recognize that the Web is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. However, given the need to manage federal resources, moderating and posting of comments will occur during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Comments submitted after hours or on weekends will be read and posted as early as possible; in most cases, this means the next business day.

For the benefit of robust discussion, we ask that comments remain "on-topic." This means that comments will be posted only as it relates to the topic that is being discussed within the blog post. The views expressed on the site by non-federal commentators do not necessarily reflect the official views of the AF or the Federal Government.

To protect your own privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include personally identifiable information, such as name, Social Security number, DoD ID number, OSI Case number, phone numbers or email addresses in the body of your comment. If you do voluntarily include personally identifiable information in your comment, such as your name, that comment may or may not be posted on the page. If your comment is posted, your name will not be redacted or removed. In no circumstances will comments be posted that contain Social Security numbers, DoD ID numbers, OSI case numbers, addresses, email address or phone numbers. The default for the posting of comments is "anonymous", but if you opt not to, any information, including your login name, may be displayed on our site.

Thank you for taking the time to read this comment policy. We encourage your participation in our discussion and look forward to an active exchange of ideas.