An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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 | April 4, 2023

How to Approve Your TRICARE Home Delivery Prescription Refills

By TRICARE Communications

Are your prescriptions enrolled in the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery automatic refill program, administered by Express Scripts? If they are, did you know you must approve your refills before they’re sent to you? Not only is the process easy and convenient, but it will also help prevent excess prescription waste.
 
“The TRICARE Pharmacy Program streamlined the home delivery refill process, so you only get your medications when you need them,” said Marcy Opstal, a senior program analyst with the Defense Health Agency’s Pharmacy Operations Division. “Having patients approve their refills before they’re shipped also improves patient safety and reduces medication waste.”
 
Here’s a step-by-step guide to approving your prescription drug refills and using the automatic refill program.
 
How to approve your home delivery prescription refills
1. You receive a refill notification: When it’s time to refill your prescription, Express Scripts will contact you by your preferred method of communication—email, phone call, or text—to approve your refill.
 
When it comes to approving and communicating about your refills, you have a few options. Texting may be the easiest and fastest way to approve your refills. To choose texting—or to change the way you’re currently approving your refills—log in to your Express Scripts account. Once you’re in your account, you can make a new communication choice.
 
2. You confirm or decline your refill: You’ll confirm that you want your next refill. You can do this by signing in to your account or through the Express Scripts mobile app. If you don’t confirm or decline your prescription refill, your prescription will no longer be in the automatic refill program. Keep in mind that even if your prescription is no longer in the program, you’ll continue to receive reminders until your prescription expires. You still can order refills via your online account or the mobile app. And you can opt back into the program at any time.
 
3. Your refill ships: After you approve your refill, Express Scripts will process your prescription. You can track your order via text, email, phone call, or the Express Scripts mobile app.
 
Have home delivery but not signed up for refills? First, log in to your Express Scripts account to check if your prescription is eligible. If it is, then you can choose to start refills through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. You can also choose which communication method to receive refill alerts and other notices. Note that you’ll still have to approve your prescriptions when it’s time to refill them. Read How to Turn on Automatic Refills for Your TRICARE Home Delivery Prescriptions to learn more.
 
Reducing prescription waste
By approving your refill beforehand, you’ll help reduce prescription waste. This is important. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates that in the United States, approximately 107,622 people died as the result of a drug poisoning in 2021. When you clear out medications you don’t want or need, you help prevent children and others from accessing them.
 
To see if your military hospital or clinic has a medication disposal program, go to Safely Dispose of Drugs. You can also visit the DEA Collection Site Locator to find a drug take back location near you.
 
Remember you must approve your home delivery prescription drug refills before they can be shipped. For other details about your pharmacy benefit and ways to help you manage your prescriptions, be sure to refer to the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Overview Fact Sheet or TRICARE Pharmacy Program Handbook. To check your copayments, go to TRICARE Pharmacy. If you have questions, you can reach out to Express Scripts.
 
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. 
 
A photo shows a young man wearing athletic clothes.

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

News
May. 05, 2023

The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation...
Read More
TRICARE May 18 Webinar

Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For ...

News
May. 04, 2023

Most people become entitled to Medicare when they reach age 65. If you or a family member will turn 65 this...
Read More
A military nurse delivers a vaccine to a patient

Know Which Vaccines You Need and How TRICARE Cov...

News
May. 03, 2023

TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccines, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)...
Read More
A dentist uses a set of demonstration teeth to show a patient

New TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Start May 1

News
May. 01, 2023

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) premium rates go into effect each year on May 1. Premiums are what you pay each...
Read More
A doctor writes notes at her desk

Living Overseas? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Telem...

News
Apr. 18, 2023

Depending on the country they’re in, TRICARE Overseas Program enrollees may be able to get telemedicine care...
Read More
Mom holds sick child

Get Advice From a Nurse 24/7

News
Apr. 13, 2023

With the coming of spring, the temperatures warm and the tempo of life picks up. Outdoor activities...
Read More
Woman lying on bed while blowing her nose

Q&A: Getting Urgent Care With TRICARE

News
Apr. 11, 2023

Getting sick or injured is never convenient. Fortunately, getting urgent care can take away some of the...
Read More
MyCare Overseas mobile app

5 Reasons to Download MyCare Overseas App

News
Apr. 06, 2023

If you live overseas, the MyCare Overseas app makes it easy to manage your health care at home and on the go.
Read More

May 5, 2023

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

The Brandon Act aims at improving the referral process for service members seeking a mental health evaluation and allowing them to seek help confidentially, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said.

May 4, 2023

Turning 65 Soon? Sign Up for May 18 TRICARE For Life Webinar

Most people become entitled to Medicare when they reach age 65. If you or a family member will turn 65 this year, join us Thursday, May 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for a webinar, “Getting Started With Medicare and TRICARE.”

May 3, 2023

Know Which Vaccines You Need and How TRICARE Covers Them

TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccines, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. When you follow your plan’s rules, you can get these vaccines at no cost. Read on to learn more about getting yourself and your family vaccinated.

May 1, 2023

New TRICARE Dental Program Premiums Start May 1

TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) premium rates go into effect each year on May 1. Premiums are what you pay each month for TDP coverage. The new TDP rates are effective May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024.

April 18, 2023

Living Overseas? Here’s How TRICARE Covers Telemedicine

Depending on the country they’re in, TRICARE Overseas Program enrollees may be able to get telemedicine care from the comfort of their home. In recent years, the TRICARE Overseas contractor, International SOS, expanded telemedicine services in line with the new telemedicine laws in many countries.

April 13, 2023

Get Advice From a Nurse 24/7

With the coming of spring, the temperatures warm and the tempo of life picks up. Outdoor activities resume—recreation, yardwork, cookouts—and change of station plans swing into high gear. Amid the busyness of these warmer months, the potential for minor injuries and health concerns may increase. It’s good to know that you have all-the-time access to health information and advice via the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line.

April 11, 2023

Q&A: Getting Urgent Care With TRICARE

Getting sick or injured is never convenient. Fortunately, getting urgent care can take away some of the inconvenience of minor illnesses and injuries.

April 6, 2023

5 Reasons to Download MyCare Overseas App

If you live overseas, the MyCare Overseas app makes it easy to manage your health care at home and on the go.

April 4, 2023

How to Approve Your TRICARE Home Delivery Prescription Refills

Are your prescriptions enrolled in the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery automatic refill program, administered by Express Scripts? Here’s a step-by-step guide to approving your prescription drug refills and using the automatic refill program.

March 29, 2023

Don’t Delay Your TRICARE Covered Cancer Screenings

If you had cancer, you’d probably want to know as soon as possible. That’s because when it comes to cancer, time is critical. Generally, the earlier a cancer is found, the easier it may be to treat or cure. Some types of cancer can be detected before a person even shows symptoms. TRICARE covers screenings for these cancers as part of your preventive care benefit.

Learn More about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccine.