A temporary waiver in effect until April 4 allows active duty and retired military personnel with TRICARE health plans to refill their prescriptions without additional approval from prescribing physicians.
The Federal Health Defense Agency has granted the waiver in 19 California counties, including San Diego, to help those living 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 illegible, pharmacies can help them find information about prescriptions. It is advisable, if possible, to go to the same pharmacy that filled the original prescription.
TRICARE is the leading health care plan for active duty military personnel, their families, retirees and others connected to military service, with 9.6 million beneficiaries nationwide, more than 740,000 of whom live in California, according to the US Military Health System.
The federal government also reminded those not on active duty that they have access to any TRICARE-authorized urgent care clinic without a referral, allowing them to receive non-urgent care when their primary medical provider is not available.
In addition to San Diego, other counties affected by the prescription renewal 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 an in-network pharmacy, beneficiaries can call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 or search an online directory at armyrx.express-scripts.com.
California Daily Newspapers
