TRICARE Pharmacy Costs & Copays (2026 Guide) | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Active duty service members pay $0 for all covered prescriptions. For all other beneficiaries, pharmacy costs depend on where you fill the script (military pharmacy, home delivery, or retail) and whether the drug is a generic, brand-name, or non-formulary medication.

Details

TRICARE uses a "tier" system for medications. In 2026, costs are determined by the medication’s category and the method of fulfillment.

### 1. Military Pharmacies ($0 Copay) Regardless of your plan (Prime, Select, or TRS), medications filled at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) pharmacy cost **$0**. This is the most cost-effective option for all non-active duty beneficiaries. Note that MTFs generally stock a limited "formulary," so they may not carry every brand-name drug.

### 2. TRICARE Home Delivery (Express Scripts) Managed by Express Scripts, this is the second most affordable option, typically providing a 90-day supply for the price of a 30-day retail supply. * **Generics (Tier 1):** Low copay (averaging $13–$16 for 2026; verify specific rates at TRICARE.mil). * **Brand-Name (Tier 2):** Moderate copay (averaging $38–$43 for 2026). * **Non-Formulary (Tier 3):** High copay (averaging $70+ for 2026).

### 3. Retail Network Pharmacies You can use local pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or grocery store pharmacies within the TRICARE network. These offer a 30-day supply. * **Generics (Tier 1):** Moderate copay (averaging $16–$18 for 2026). * **Brand-Name (Tier 2):** Higher copay (averaging $48–$52 for 2026). * **Non-Formulary (Tier 3):** Highest cost; users often pay the full price unless a medical necessity is proven.

### 4. Out-of-Network Pharmacies Unless you are using TRICARE Prime (which requires Point-of-Service fees) or have met your deductible under TRICARE Select, you will pay the **full retail price** upfront and must file a claim for partial reimbursement. This is generally the most expensive way to get medication.

### Special Rules: Maintenance Medications For beneficiaries (excluding active duty) using "maintenance medications"—drugs taken regularly for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol—TRICARE generally requires you to use Home Delivery or a Military Pharmacy after two fills at a retail pharmacy.

## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Always $0 copays. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Subject to tiered copays unless using an MTF. * **Retirees and their Families:** Subject to tiered copays; costs are often slightly higher than ADFM rates. * **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) & Retired Reserve (TRRR) Members:** Subject to standard tiered copays. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Beneficiaries:** Use the same pharmacy benefit as other retirees, but must use Express Scripts or MTFs for maintenance drugs.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Pharmacy Costs:** https://tricARE.mil/costs/pharmacy * **Express Scripts TRICARE Page:** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** https://health.mil/ * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** https://www.triwest.com/