The House version of the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill includes provisions that would establish a five-year pilot program that would require retirees who are covered by TRICARE for Life to get their prescriptions filled and refilled through the agency’s mail order pharmacy. Retirees could opt out of the mail order program after one year. The bill also calls for TRICARE pharmacy cost-sharing rates. Generic medications obtained from retail pharmacies would cost $5, formulary medications would cost $17, and non-formulary medications would cost $44. Mail order costs would be lower. Generic medications would be free, formulary medications would cost $13, and non-formulary medications would cost $43 through mail order. Annual increases in TRICARE pharmacy cost-sharing rates would be limited to an amount equal to the percentage that retiree pay increases, as of Oct. 1, 2013. The House Armed Services Committee completed markup of the legislation May 7.
