An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | June 16, 2022

Continuous Glucose Monitors Now Available as a TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit

By TRICARE Communications

If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you’re in luck. TRICARE Pharmacy Program now covers two brands of CGMs. These are the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 and the Dexcom G6. Previously, CGMs were only available as durable medical equipment (DME) under the TRICARE medical benefit. CGMs continue to be covered as a DME medical benefit, but they’re also now available as part of your pharmacy benefit.
 
“This change in expanded benefit coverage will improve access for patients to get the CGMs they need,” said Edward VonBerg, PharmD, chief of the Defense Health Agency’s Formulary Management Branch. “We aim to make TRICARE benefits as accessible and affordable as possible so beneficiaries feel good and can lead healthy, productive lives. Adding CGMs to the pharmacy benefit is an example of this.”
 
As a pharmacy benefit, CGMs are available through TRICARE retail network pharmacies and TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. As outlined in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Overview, active duty service members pay nothing for covered prescriptions from:  
For all others, pharmacy costs are based on who you are, the prescription category, and where you fill your prescription.
 
You need pre-authorization to get either brand of CGM through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. This is true even if you’re already approved through the TRICARE medical benefit. To be pre-authorized, you must require daily insulin via a pump or multiple daily injections. Pharmacies dispense the devices in limited quantities, based on your provider’s written prescription.
 
If you choose to pick up your CGM at a network pharmacy or through home delivery, you’ll be charged for each component at the brand-name formulary drug rates.
 
Your TRICARE plan, which group you’re in (A or B), and pharmacy type determine whether you may have to meet your annual deductible before copayments or cost-shares apply. To learn more, use the TRICARE Compare Cost Tool.
 
Before you go to your pharmacy, you should first call to confirm availability of the CGM you need. Some facilities may stock one, both, and none of the devices. When you pick up your CGM, be sure to take the prescription from your health care provider with you.
 
If you choose home delivery for the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 reader, you must order the reader through the Department of Defense Abbott Labs FreeStyle Libre Program, which is a free service. For information, call 904-638-5519. You can also get the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 reader at a network pharmacy.
 
You can order Dexcom G6 components through home delivery. Dexcom G6 devices are also available for pick up at network pharmacies.
 
Keep in mind that both products have free smartphone applications you can use instead of the devices’ readers.
 
Remember that you can still get your CGM as DME through the TRICARE medical benefit. It depends on how your provider writes your prescription. Your TRICARE health plan will determine your fees. If you have coverage through US Family Health Plan (USFHP), you aren’t eligible for the TRICARE Pharmacy Program. You must use USFHP pharmacy providers.
 
If you have questions about TRICARE covered services or costs, you can refer to the TRICARE website. You can also reach out to your regional contractor or the pharmacy contractor.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit the TRICARE Subscriptions page today, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Map of West Region states and TRICARE logo. Text: Referral approval waiver: Referral approvals are waived through June 30.

Defense Health Agency Extends Referral Approval ...

News
Apr. 30, 2025

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has...
Read More
TRICARE logo; map of West Region U.S. states in blue. Text reads "Attention West Region Beneficiaries: Submit your payments by April 30 to avoid disenrollment. If you are disenrolled, call TriWest at 888-TRIWEST to reinstate your TRICARE health plan."

Disenrolled From Your TRICARE Plan in the West R...

News
Apr. 29, 2025

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic...
Read More
Drop off unused, unneeded, or expired drugs at military pharmacies in the U.S.

Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions on April ...

News
Apr. 24, 2025

Did you know that Saturday, April 26, is the next National Drug Take Back Day? It’s a day to safely dispose of...
Read More
TRICARE For Life Handbook graphic

Want To Learn About TRICARE For Life? Check Out ...

News
Apr. 22, 2025

You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for...
Read More
Smiling woman stands in front of American flag.

Unlock Your Health: Need Help With Your TRICARE ...

News
Apr. 18, 2025

Did you know that military hospitals and clinics have support staff who can help you navigate your TRICARE...
Read More
Four young children stand in a huddle, laughing and holding a soccer ball. Text reads: Stay in the Game - Stop Measles Before It Starts! Defense Health Agency and Unlock Your Health text.

Measles Cases on the Rise in the U.S.: Recognize...

News
Apr. 17, 2025

You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious illness that...
Read More
Uniformed service member answers phone standing in front of computer screen

TRICARE’s Near Patient Program: What To Know

News
Apr. 15, 2025

For service members and their family members living overseas, challenges like language barriers and unfamiliar...
Read More
Graphic with TRICARE logo that reads, "Patients needed on April 25 for a focus group discussion on menopause. Sign up deadline is April 24. Learn if you qualify." Drawing of three womn sitting around a laptop.

Provide Feedback on Clinical Practice Guidelines...

News
Apr. 10, 2025

Did you know that your feedback could be a key ingredient in developing health policies, treatments, and...
Read More

April 30, 2025

Defense Health Agency Extends Referral Approval Waiver Through June 30 for West Region TRICARE Prime Enrollees

Do you live in the West Region? Do you have TRICARE Prime? You should know that the Defense Health Agency has extended the West Region referral approval waiver through June 30. TRICARE-authorized specialty care providers don’t need to wait for TriWest Healthcare Alliance to approve referrals issued by your primary care manager before providing outpatient care.

April 29, 2025

Disenrolled From Your TRICARE Plan in the West Region? Here’s How To Reinstate Your Coverage After April 30

Do you currently live in the TRICARE West Region? Do you pay for your TRICARE coverage using a bank electronic funds transfer, credit card, or debit card? If you haven’t done so already, you must securely provide your payment information to the West Region contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, by April 30. If you haven’t submitted payment to TriWest by April 30, you and your family members will be disenrolled from your TRICARE plan on May 1. This disenrollment is retroactive to your paid-through date.

April 24, 2025

Safely Dispose of Unused Prescriptions on April 26, National Drug Take Back Day

Did you know that Saturday, April 26, is the next National Drug Take Back Day? It’s a day to safely dispose of unwanted, expired, or excess medications. But it’s also important to know that military pharmacies offer ways to safely dispose of drugs all year long through the Military Health System Drug Take Back program.

April 22, 2025

Want To Learn About TRICARE For Life? Check Out This Handbook

You may be approaching age 65, or you may have a disability or a medical condition that makes you eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life before you turn age 65. In either case, you’ll benefit from checking out the TRICARE For Life Handbook.

April 18, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Need Help With Your TRICARE Benefit? A Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator Can Help

Did you know that military hospitals and clinics have support staff who can help you navigate your TRICARE benefit? These include Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinators. You can find them at any military hospital or clinic.

April 17, 2025

Measles Cases on the Rise in the U.S.: Recognize the Symptoms and Protect Your Family

You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious illness that can cause serious complications. Anyone who isn’t protected against measles can get the illness—and children are especially at risk of getting seriously sick.

April 15, 2025

TRICARE’s Near Patient Program: What To Know

For service members and their family members living overseas, challenges like language barriers and unfamiliar health systems may make getting medical care stressful. But getting health care overseas doesn’t have to be difficult. Luckily, TRICARE offers the Near Patient Program to help monitor your medical care and assist you in ten overseas locations.

April 10, 2025

Provide Feedback on Clinical Practice Guidelines in Joint DOD, VA Patient Focus Groups: Menopause Discussion on April 25

Did you know that your feedback could be a key ingredient in developing health policies, treatments, and models of care for the military and veteran healthcare systems? The Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration are seeking volunteers for four upcoming virtual patient focus groups. The next focus group, on diagnosing and treating menopause, is on April 25 at 2 p.m. ET. The deadline to register is April 24 at 5 p.m. ET.

April 8, 2025

New TRICARE Drive Time Waiver Policy Makes it Easier To Keep Your Primary Care Manager if You Move

Are you moving to a new home? Is it more than a 30-minute drive from your primary care manager? If so, TRICARE is making it simpler to keep your TRICARE Prime coverage. Now, most families who live more than 30 minutes but less than 100 miles from their PCM can continue seeing them without taking action.

April 3, 2025

Q&A: Your TRICARE Catastrophic Cap

You can’t always predict your family’s healthcare needs. But you can know the most you could have to pay for TRICARE covered services. TRICARE calls this your catastrophic cap. Your catastrophic cap limits how much you and your family will pay for TRICARE covered healthcare services each calendar year.