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 | 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. 
 
Uniformed service member uses mouse and keyboard, looking at desktop screen.

TRICARE Logins: Know How To Access Portals and M...

News
Jul. 24, 2025

Whether you need to make an appointment, check a claim, or download forms, knowing where to log in can make...
Read More
Service member holds a brown paper bag next to ScriptCenter automated machine.

Your TRICARE Pharmacy Program Benefit: Creating ...

News
Jul. 22, 2025

Have you recently filled a prescription at a military pharmacy? If so, you may know that military pharmacies...
Read More
Woman in white lab coat speaks on a laptop.

Unlock Your Health by Getting Virtual Health Car...

News
Jul. 17, 2025

Did you know that TRICARE beneficiaries can receive a variety of health care services via virtual health?...
Read More
Woman, baby, and service member smile and pose together

New to TRICARE? Here’s How To Get Started With Y...

News
Jul. 15, 2025

Have you recently enlisted in or received a commission to a uniformed service? Or, have you just married a...
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
Jul. 11, 2025

You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. Measles is a highly contagious illness that...
Read More
Service member smiles next to a woman in a black shirt

Moving Overseas? TRICARE Has You Covered

News
Jul. 10, 2025

If you live outside the U.S., you can get high-quality health care through several TRICARE overseas health...
Read More
Mother holds newborn baby

Q&A: Getting TRICARE for Your Newborn Baby

News
Jul. 08, 2025

Welcoming a new baby to your family is an exciting milestone. Your baby’s health is probably one of your top...
Read More
Doctor checks a patient's vitals

Unlock Your Health: Learn When To Get Different ...

News
Jul. 01, 2025

When a health issue comes up, knowing where to go for care can make a big difference. Whether it’s an accident...
Read More

July 24, 2025

TRICARE Logins: Know How To Access Portals and Manage Your Benefit

Whether you need to make an appointment, check a claim, or download forms, knowing where to log in can make using your TRICARE benefits easier. Today’s Military Health System relies on multiple online platforms—each with a specific purpose. Understanding them, and how they’re evolving, can help you make the most of your health coverage.

July 22, 2025

Your TRICARE Pharmacy Program Benefit: Creating a Patient-Centered Military Pharmacy Experience

Have you recently filled a prescription at a military pharmacy? If so, you may know that military pharmacies have different procedures than civilian pharmacies. When a provider issues a new prescription to a military pharmacy, you need to activate the prescription before a pharmacist fills it. Recently, the Defense Health Agency has developed and updated two tools—Q-Anywhere and ScriptCenters—to make this prescription pickup process easier and more convenient.

July 17, 2025

Unlock Your Health by Getting Virtual Health Care at Home With TRICARE

Did you know that TRICARE beneficiaries can receive a variety of health care services via virtual health? These services take place through secure video calls, phone appointments, and other technology platforms. TRICARE virtual health coverage includes primary care, urgent care, mental health, and specialty services.

July 15, 2025

New to TRICARE? Here’s How To Get Started With Your Benefit

Have you recently enlisted in or received a commission to a uniformed service? Or, have you just married a uniformed service member? If you’re new to TRICARE, you may have some questions about how to enroll in a plan, get care, and learn more about your coverage.

July 11, 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.

July 10, 2025

Moving Overseas? TRICARE Has You Covered

If you live outside the U.S., you can get high-quality health care through several TRICARE overseas health plans. These plans serve active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, military retirees, and family members living overseas.

July 8, 2025

Q&A: Getting TRICARE for Your Newborn Baby

Welcoming a new baby to your family is an exciting milestone. Your baby’s health is probably one of your top priorities, so you may be wondering how to get TRICARE coverage for your child. Your child’s date of birth and their sponsor’s status affect what you should do next.

July 1, 2025

Unlock Your Health: Learn When To Get Different Types of Care

When a health issue comes up, knowing where to go for care can make a big difference. Whether it’s an accident or an illness, TRICARE covers a range of health care services—but the type of care you need determines where you should go.

June 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health as You Approach Medicare Eligibility

Are you approaching the age of 65? Unlock your health by signing up for Medicare as soon as you’re eligible. Medicare Part A and Part B are required to remain eligible for TRICARE, with limited exceptions. Knowing how and when to sign up for Medicare will help you avoid gaps in coverage and late enrollment penalties.

June 24, 2025

4 Ways You Can Use Your TRICARE Benefits and Stay Healthy This Summer

What’s on your to-do list this summer? Maybe you’re planning to spend time at the pool, go to a barbecue, or take a vacation. But don’t take a vacation from your health this summer. Here are four suggested ways you can use your TRICARE benefits this summer.