Comments on: The TRICARE Pharmacy and the Second Shift

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:52:32 +0000

I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this! You are bookmarked!

By: Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:15:04 +0000

I’m a dependent of a retiree (he doesn’t deserve “vet”) living in a the states by a Navy base.

For most of my illnesses, we used the off-base pharmacy and paid a relatively low co-pay. ($3, $9, and sometimes $21)

But one time… we used the on base pharmacy. The initial wait wasn’t too bad, but what clinched it as a never again was the refill. Which had to come from Florida. And be called in after this date, no exceptions. Of course, by the time it got there, I’d be out.

My dad (when he paid “half” of my medical bills) used to ask why we didn’t use the base pharmacy, since it’s free! Of course, *he* doesn’t use it.

TRICARE… it’s a love/hate thing. I love having insurance, but they could not be bigger pains if they tried.
.-= Kaitlyn´s last blog .."Responding to your message" =-.

By: Ouyang Dan

Ouyang Dan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:12:08 +0000

LeeLee I think it really has to do w/ the script in question, or rather, what med you are trying to fill. Pregabalin is both controlled (schedule V, I believe) and non-formulary. However, when I was in Hawai’i I didn’t have this trouble getting it (still OCONUS), I just went to an off base pharmacy (which I can’t really do here). I don’t know why there is the big change, if it is new or what.

Also, w/ certain meds I can not afford to wait. Taking this med late for me is not an option. Not if I want to keep functioning for the day.

Something else I don’t know is if it makes a difference if you are a dependent or AD. I know for some things it does (for example, a dependent can get Plan B from a doc, no problem, but an AD person can not, because it is an OTC not guaranteed on the Formulary for AD), but since I am now only going through this as a dependent and Vet, I can’t speak to the latter.

By: LeeLee

LeeLee — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:00:53 +0000

Are you OCONUS? I had no significant problems filling my non-formulary drugs on base (well, the hellish wait, but there’s always that) or for a co-pay at an off base pharmacy. The form thing sounds like a nightmare. It really shouldn’t be that hard. I’m sorry they put you through that.