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 | Nov. 9, 2023

Find Out What Your TRICARE Pharmacy Costs Will Be In 2024

By TRICARE Communications

Do you get prescription drugs through the TRICARE Pharmacy Program? Copayments for most beneficiaries are changing. The new costs will start Jan. 1, 2024.

“These new costs are part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018,” said Melanie Richardson, a pharmacist in the Pharmacy Operations Division at the Defense Health Agency. “Most beneficiaries will pay $1 to $8 more per copayment. These new costs help continue to maintain high-quality delivery of your TRICARE health benefit.”
 
A few factors affect your pharmacy costs. Your beneficiary category is one of them.
  • Active duty service members (ADSMs): You’ll pay nothing for covered drugs from military pharmacies, retail network pharmacies, and home delivery.
  • Survivors of ADSMs and medically retired service members and their family members: Your copayments won’t change in 2024.
  • All other beneficiaries: Your copayments will increase in 2024.

TRICARE has several categories of covered drugs. The drug category affects cost, as shown in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Overview Fact Sheet. Generic formulary drugs are the least expensive and most widely available. This is followed by brand-name formulary drugs and non-formulary drugs.
 
Your costs also depend on the type of pharmacy you use. You’ll pay nothing for prescriptions from military pharmacies. See the new copayments for other pharmacy types below. New costs are in bold.
 
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Up to a 90-day supply)
  • Generic formulary drugs will increase from $12 to $13.
  • Brand-name formulary drugs will increase from $34 to $38.
  • Non-formulary drugs will increase from $68 to $76.

TRICARE retail network pharmacies (Up to a 30-day supply)
  • Generic formulary drugs will increase from $14 to $16.
  • Brand-name formulary drugs will increase from $38 to $43.
  • Non-formulary drugs will increase from $68 to $76.

Note: If you aren’t an ADSM, you can’t refill certain maintenance drugs after two refills at retail network pharmacies unless you pay full cost for the drug. If you live in the U.S. or U.S. territories, you must refill them at a military pharmacy or through home delivery after two refills.
 
Non-network pharmacies (Up to a 30-day supply)
Do you have a TRICARE Prime health plan? If so, your non-network pharmacy costs will stay the same. With a TRICARE Prime plan, you’ll pay a 50% cost-share. This will happen after you meet your point-of-service deductible for covered drugs.
 
For other TRICARE plans, you’ll pay a copayment or cost-share after you meet your annual deductible. These costs are as follows:
  • Generic and brand-name formulary drugs will cost $43 (up from $38) or 20% of the total cost, whichever is more.
  • Non-formulary drugs will cost $76 (up from $68) or 20% of the total cost, whichever is more.

Have questions about your TRICARE pharmacy benefit? Go to TRICARE Pharmacy to learn more.
 
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
 
Woman wearing dental bib opens her mouth as a dentist uses dental equipment.

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Denta...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program...
Read More
Unlock Your Health graphic, DHA logo, elderly woman and medical care worker sit together on a couch

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care...

News
Sep. 16, 2025

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and...
Read More
Service member smiles with arms crossed in an office.

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health S...

News
Sep. 10, 2025

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health...
Read More
Young woman sitting on couch speaking on cell phone

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Ta...

News
Sep. 09, 2025

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get...
Read More
Two uniformed service members stand in military pharmacy and funnel prescriptions into a bottle.

Q&A: TRICARE For Life Coverage of Weight Loss Me...

News
Sep. 08, 2025

The Defense Health Agency recently announced it will implement existing regulatory controls regarding TRICARE...
Read More
Provider wearing lab coat and stethoscope taking patient's blood pressure. Text reads: "Patients needed on Sept. 26 for a focus group discussion about hypertension (high blood pressure). Sign up deadline is Sept. 19. Learn if you qualify." TRICARE logo

Help Shape Clinical Practice Guidelines in Joint...

News
Sep. 04, 2025

The Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration have partnered together and are inviting patients...
Read More
Service member smiles while posing in front of a building

Q&A: Understanding Eligibility and Coverage With...

News
Aug. 28, 2025

If you live far from a military hospital or clinic, TRICARE Prime Remote could be the right TRICARE health...
Read More
Father and son hold hands while walking down a street

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE ...

News
Aug. 26, 2025

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care...
Read More

Sept. 16, 2025

The Power of Prevention: Using the TRICARE Dental Program Benefit To Save You Money

When it comes to your oral health, a little prevention goes a long way. That’s why the TRICARE Dental Program covers two routine dental cleanings and examinations each year.

Sept. 16, 2025

Unlock Your Health With TRICARE Home Health Care and Pharmacy Home Delivery

Is leaving home for care a challenge? TRICARE covers solutions that make it easier to get the care—and drugs—you may need. Your TRICARE plan may cover certain in-home health services and pharmacy home delivery options. This gives you flexibility and convenience in your care.

Sept. 10, 2025

Explore Available Counseling and Mental Health Services

Are you a service member, family member, or survivor? Your TRICARE benefit covers a variety of mental health services. But did you know there are other counseling services available to you? This article explores what services you can access if you need support.

Sept. 9, 2025

Live in the West Region? Learn if You Need To Take Action on Your Referrals Before Oct. 1

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025 and need to continue seeing that specialist, you’ll need to get a new referral to a network specialist before Oct. 1, 2025. If you’re still using a valid referral issued by a previous contractor before Jan. 1, 2025, you also need to get a new referral for any care received starting Oct. 1.

Sept. 8, 2025

Q&A: TRICARE For Life Coverage of Weight Loss Medications

The Defense Health Agency recently announced it will implement existing regulatory controls regarding TRICARE coverage of weight loss medications, including Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, to ensure prescription processing aligns with federal coverage requirements.

Sept. 4, 2025

Help Shape Clinical Practice Guidelines in Joint DOD, VA Patient Focus Groups: Hypertension on Sept. 26

The Department of Defense and Veterans Health Administration have partnered together and are inviting patients to share their experiences managing hypertension, or high blood pressure. This initiative is part of a virtual focus group on Friday, Sept. 26 at noon ET. It will help shape clinical practice guidelines for treating hypertension across military and veteran communities.

Aug. 28, 2025

Q&A: Understanding Eligibility and Coverage With TRICARE Prime Remote

If you live far from a military hospital or clinic, TRICARE Prime Remote could be the right TRICARE health plan for you. While TRICARE Prime is only available to eligible beneficiaries in Prime Service Areas (designated regions that have proximity to military hospitals or clinics), TPR extends coverage beyond PSAs. This plan helps active duty service members and their family members get care when they live or work in areas that are remote from military hospitals or clinics.

Aug. 26, 2025

Unlock Your Health by Understanding the TRICARE Prime Referral Process

Do you have TRICARE Prime? If so, you likely get most of your routine health care from your primary care manager. But sometimes, you may need specialty care that your PCM can’t provide. This is when your PCM will give you a referral. In this article, you’ll learn about the TRICARE Prime referral process. We’ll highlight what’s new—and easier—for you and your family members if you’re moving this year.

Aug. 22, 2025

Share Your Thoughts on Tricare.mil in Upcoming Usability Study

Are you interested in shaping the future of TRICARE’s web presence? The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is looking for participants for a tricare.mil usability study. The DHA Usability Lab will hold several studies to get feedback on the website.

Aug. 21, 2025

How TRICARE Covers Breastfeeding Supplies and Services

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? TRICARE covers certain breast pumps and supplies and breastfeeding counseling at no cost for new mothers.