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. 16, 2023

Getting TRICARE Prescriptions Overseas

By TRICARE Communications

No matter where you live or travel, it’s important to have the prescription drugs you need. To help make this possible, your TRICARE pharmacy benefit is available worldwide. But overseas, your pharmacy options may vary.
 
“In some areas, you may have access to military pharmacies, TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery, and retail network pharmacies,” said Melanie Richardson, a pharmacist in the Pharmacy Operations Division at the Defense Health Agency. “But sometimes, non-network pharmacies will be your only option for getting prescriptions overseas.”
 
Knowing pharmacy options can help you choose an option with lower out-of-pocket costs. As described in the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Handbook, your costs are based on how you fill your prescription, your beneficiary status, and the prescription drug category.
 
Whether you live overseas, or you’re planning to move or travel there, read on to learn more about using your pharmacy benefits.

1. Military pharmacies

Where: U.S. territories of Guam and Puerto Rico and some countries outside the United States. Use the Find a Military Hospital or Clinic tool to see if there’s a military pharmacy near you.
 
Quantities and costs: You can get up to a 90-day supply of most covered drugs. You’ll have no out-of-pocket costs.
 
More information:
  • Call the pharmacy to see if your prescription can be filled there. Some drugs aren’t available at military pharmacies.
  • Your prescription must be from an authorized, licensed health care provider.
  • Some military pharmacies only fill prescriptions from military providers.

2. TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery

Where:
  • U.S. territories, including APO and FPO addresses
  • Overseas, if you have an APO, FPO, or DPO address
  • Not available in Germany
Quantities and costs: You can get up to a 90-day supply of covered drugs with free standard shipping. Active duty service members (ADSMs) have no costs. All other eligible beneficiaries pay home delivery copayments.
 
More information:
  • Prescriptions must be from a licensed U.S. health care provider.
  • Prescriptions that need refrigeration typically can’t be shipped to the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands or to other locations overseas.
  • You can manage your home delivery prescriptions online or with the Express Scripts Pharmacy mobile app.

3. Retail network pharmacies

Where: All U.S. territories except American Samoa. Use the Find a Pharmacy tool to find a retail network pharmacy near you.
 
Quantities and costs: You can get up to a 30-day supply of a covered drug for one copayment or a 90-day supply for three copayments. ADSMs pay nothing.
 
More information: If you aren’t an ADSM, you can’t refill certain maintenance drugs at retail network pharmacies after two refills. If you live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, you must refill them through home delivery or at a military pharmacy after two refills.

4. Non-network pharmacies

Where: Available worldwide—all retail pharmacies in American Samoa and places outside the U.S. and other U.S. territories are non-network pharmacies.
 
Costs: You’ll pay full price for your prescription up front. Then you can file a claim with International SOS, the TRICARE overseas contractor, for reimbursement. Reimbursements are subject to cost-shares, copayments, deductibles, and other costs.
 
More information:

Over-the-counter drugs

TRICARE doesn’t cover over-the-counter (OTC) drugs outside the U.S. and U.S. territories. This includes drugs that are OTC in the U.S. that require a prescription in another country.

Tips for travelers

Plan ahead! Before you travel, be sure to do the following:
  • Refill any prescriptions you’ll need during your trip. Contact your doctor if you don’t have any refills left.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough of each medication for your whole trip. If you need extra medication, you can request an early refill. If you live in the U.S., call Express Scripts. If you live in a U.S. territory or overseas, call International SOS.
  • And don’t forget—if you lose or forget your medication, you can call to get help. Call Express Scripts if you live in the U.S. Or call International SOS if you live in a U.S. territory or overseas. You may need to fill your prescription at a non-network pharmacy.
Learn more about filling prescriptions when traveling and getting care when traveling.
 
Need more information about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program? Check out the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Handbook.
 
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.
 
Doctor uses a tablet.

Check the TRICARE Network Provider Directories A...

News
Dec. 11, 2024

If you get care outside of a military hospital or clinic, it’s important to understand your civilian provider...
Read More
Image of person holding cellphone and looking at calendar app. Text reads "TRICARE Open Season 2024: Open Season Ends Soon! Nov. 11 - Dec. 10"

TRICARE Open Season Ends Dec. 10: Your Last Chan...

News
Dec. 05, 2024

Time is running out to review and update your TRICARE health plan for 2025. TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday,...
Read More
Map highlighting Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, and Indiana. A small portion of Indiana is highlighted in blue (West Region); small portions of Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arkansas are highlighted in green (staying in the East Region).

Reminder: TRICARE Regions Are Changing Jan. 1, 2025

News
Dec. 03, 2024

There will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the U.S. on Jan. 1, 2025. While there will still be two...
Read More
Surgeons wearing scrubs stand around machine in operating room.

DHA Hospitals Honored for Surgical Excellence

News
Nov. 27, 2024

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized three Defense...
Read More
Man works on a laptop

TRICARE Open Season: Understanding Who’s Eligible

News
Nov. 26, 2024

It’s that time of year again—TRICARE Open Season is here. Open season, which began Nov. 11, runs until Dec...
Read More
Mother and child look at laptop

How To Schedule an Appointment Using the MHS GEN...

News
Nov. 21, 2024

Navigating your healthcare appointments at military hospitals and clinics is convenient with the MHS GENESIS...
Read More
Doctor checks a child's hearing

TRICARE Now Covers Hearing Aids for Children of ...

News
Nov. 20, 2024

TRICARE has recently expanded its hearing aid coverage to include eligible children of retired service...
Read More
Nationally Recognized Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade A, Fall 2024.

Fifteen Military Hospitals Receive Leapfrog’s Hi...

News
Nov. 15, 2024

The Defense Health Agency announced 15 military hospitals got an “A” rating in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade...
Read More

Dec. 11, 2024

Check the TRICARE Network Provider Directories Ahead of 2025

If you get care outside of a military hospital or clinic, it’s important to understand your civilian provider options. TRICARE’s new regional contracts, which begin Jan. 1, 2025, will affect the TRICARE provider networks in the U.S. You’re now able to check the network provider directories for both the East Region and West Region.

Dec. 5, 2024

TRICARE Open Season Ends Dec. 10: Your Last Chance To Update Health Coverage for 2025

Time is running out to review and update your TRICARE health plan for 2025. TRICARE Open Season ends Tuesday, Dec. 10, marking your last day to enroll in a new plan or make changes to your health coverage.

Dec. 3, 2024

Reminder: TRICARE Regions Are Changing Jan. 1, 2025

There will be changes to the TRICARE regions in the U.S. on Jan. 1, 2025. While there will still be two TRICARE regions, six states currently in the East Region will move to the West Region. There are also some zip codes in four of these states that will be exceptions to the region changes.

Nov. 27, 2024

DHA Hospitals Honored for Surgical Excellence

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has recognized three Defense Health Agency hospitals for their outstanding surgical care.

Nov. 26, 2024

TRICARE Open Season: Understanding Who’s Eligible

It’s that time of year again—TRICARE Open Season is here. Open season, which began Nov. 11, runs until Dec. 10. During this period, most beneficiaries with TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select can make changes to their health plan for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025.

Nov. 21, 2024

How To Schedule an Appointment Using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal

Navigating your healthcare appointments at military hospitals and clinics is convenient with the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal’s scheduling feature.

Nov. 20, 2024

TRICARE Now Covers Hearing Aids for Children of Military Retirees

TRICARE has recently expanded its hearing aid coverage to include eligible children of retired service members. This new coverage results from a new statute. It aims to improve access to life-changing medical technology and help eligible children of retired service members get the hearing aids they need.

Nov. 15, 2024

Fifteen Military Hospitals Receive Leapfrog’s Highest Safety Grade

The Defense Health Agency announced 15 military hospitals got an “A” rating in Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade fall 2024 assessment. This grade reflects the DHA’s ongoing dedication to transparency and to provide high-quality, safe care to service members and their families.

Nov. 11, 2024

TRICARE Open Season 2024 Begins: Learn if You Need To Take Action

Have you considered changing your family’s TRICARE health plan for 2025? Now is your opportunity: TRICARE Open Season starts Nov. 11 and runs through Dec. 10.

Nov. 7, 2024

Check Out Your 2025 TRICARE Health Plan Costs

With 2025 just around the corner, you may be starting to consider your family’s health needs for next year. There may be changes to your TRICARE health plan costs starting Jan. 1, 2025. Depending on your plan, these costs may include enrollment fees, premiums, cost-shares, and copayments.