TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy: Costs, Rules & Delivery Guide
*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program. For official enrollment and policy information, visit TRICARE.mil.*
## Quick answer The TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery service, managed by Express Scripts, allows you to receive a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications delivered directly to your door with $0 shipping costs. It is generally the least expensive way for retirees and family members to get non-generic drugs, and it is mandatory for certain maintenance medications unless you use a military pharmacy.
Details
### How it Works The TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy is designed for "maintenance medications"—drugs you take regularly for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes. You can register via the Express Scripts website, the mobile app, or by having your doctor send a prescription electronically.
### Costs and Copayments (2026 Rates) For Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs), prescriptions are $0. For all other beneficiaries, the 2026 copayments for a 90-day supply are: * **Generic (Formulary):** $13 * **Brand-Name (Formulary):** $38 * **Non-Formulary:** $76 * **Specialty Drugs:** $76
*Note: These rates are significantly lower than 90-day supplies at retail pharmacies, where brand-name drugs often cost over $80.*
### Mandatory Mail Order Rules Under the TRICARE "Select Home Delivery" rule, most beneficiaries taking select maintenance medications must use either Home Delivery or a military pharmacy. If you continue to fill these specific prescriptions at a retail pharmacy after two fills, you may be responsible for the full cost of the medication.
### Managing Shipments * **Tracking:** You can track shipments via the Express Scripts app. * **Refills:** You can set up "Automatic Refills," and Express Scripts will contact you (via text, email, or phone) to get consent before shipping the next supply. * **Cold Chain:** For medications requiring refrigeration (like insulin), Express Scripts uses specialized temperature-controlled packaging.
### Restrictions and Limitations * **Nursing Homes:** You cannot use home delivery if you are living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility. * **Overseas:** Home delivery is available to APO/FPO/DPO addresses, but it is not available in most foreign countries due to local customs laws (except for U.S. Territories). * **Controlled Substances:** While many can be mailed, there are additional security or shipping requirements for Schedule II drugs.
## Who this affects * **Active Duty Service Members:** $0 copay, though usually encouraged to use military pharmacies first. * **Active Duty Family Members:** Lower cost alternative to retail. * **Retirees and their Families:** The most frequent users of the mail-order system. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Beneficiaries:** Must use mail order or military pharmacies for maintenance drugs. * **Guard/Reserve Members:** Including those on TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS).
## Sources * **TRICARE.mil:** [Pharmacy Home Delivery](https://www.tricare.mil/homedelivery) * **Express Scripts TRICARE:** [Member Portal](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/) * **Defense Health Agency (DHA):** [Pharmacy Operations](https://health.mil) * **TRICARE West (TriWest):** [Pharmacy Benefits](https://www.triwest.com)