Filling Prescriptions Overseas
TRICARE prescription coverage is available overseas, but there are some limitations outside of the United States. If traveling overseas, it's recommended that you fill all prescriptions before you travel.
TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery
To use home delivery, your prescription must be from a U.S.-licensed provider and you must have an APO or FPO address. Home delivery to APO/FPO addresses is subject to local laws. There is a chance that prescription medications sent to APO/FPO addresses may be seized by local nation customs authorities.If your prescriptions are seized, contact Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303 or look up a country-specific telephone number to discuss other ways to get your prescription filled.
Please also note that medications that require refrigeration cannot be shipped to an APO or FPO address. If you are currently using home delivery outside of the U.S. or U.S. Territories, please consider filling your prescriptions at a military pharmacy or a local host nation pharmacy (both described below) to avoid problems with local customs laws.
Military Pharmacies
You may have prescriptions filled at military pharmacies free of charge. Military pharmacies are usually located within a
military hospital or clinic, but some military bases also have free-standing pharmacies located in other areas within the gates. If you have prescription from a host nation provider, you can have the prescription filled at a military pharmacy, but there are some rules and limitations:
- The prescription must be from an authorized, licensed health care provider.
- You can receive up to a 90-day supply for most medications.
- Non-formulary medications are usually not available at military pharmacies. The pharmacy will offer a formulary equivalent.
- Brand name drugs are not available at military pharmacies unless specifically listed on the Basic Core Formulary (BCF). The pharmacy will offer a generic equivalent. The Formulary Search Tool notes "BCF Items" for specific medications listed on the Department of Defense BCF.
While non-formulary and brand name drugs are typically not available at military pharmacies, the pharmacists can review these special requests and consider them on a case-by-case basis. If you prescription you need is not on the BCF, call the military pharmacy first to see if the prescription you need can be filled. Military facilities may add other medications to their local formularies based on the scope of care.
TRICARE Network Pharmacies
Outside of the United States,
TRICARE network pharmacies are only located in the following U.S. Territories:
- Puerto Rico
- Guam
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Northern Mariana Islands
If living or traveling in other overseas countries, you must use military pharmacies or local host nation pharmacies.
Host Nation Pharmacies
Host nation pharmacies are considered to be non-network pharmacies, but in some cases, a host nation pharmacy may be your only option. You may have to pay for the total amount first and then file a claim for reimbursement.
- Active duty service members will receive a full reimbursement
- Active duty family members enrolled in TRICARE Prime Overseas or TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas will receive a full reimbursement with prior authorization to use a host nation pharmacy
- All others will receive a partial reimbursement based on non-network pharmacy costs