How to Transfer My TRICARE Prescription (2026 Guide)
*TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or the Defense Health Agency. For official policy and the most current data, visit [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil).*
## Quick answer To transfer a prescription, you typically just need to bring your bottle to a new pharmacy or call the provider directly. If you are moving to the **TRICARE Home Delivery** service managed by Express Scripts, you can use the Express Scripts mobile app or website to request a transfer from an existing retail pharmacy or a Military Treatment Facility (MTF).
In detail
Transferring a prescription within the TRICARE network depends entirely on where you are getting the medication now and where you want it to go.
### 1. Transferring to TRICARE Home Delivery (Express Scripts) This is the most cost-effective method for maintenance medications (those you take regularly for chronic conditions). * **Via App/Web:** Log into your Express Scripts account. Select "Transfer to Home Delivery." The system will contact your current retail pharmacy or doctor to facilitate the move. * **Via Phone:** Call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303. * **Via Mail:** Ask your doctor to send a new 90-day prescription electronically to "Express Scripts Home Delivery."
### 2. Transferring to a Retail Network Pharmacy If you are moving or simply want to change local pharmacies (e.g., from a CVS to a Walgreens): * **The Pharmacy-to-Pharmacy Method:** Take your current prescription bottle to the new pharmacy. Provide them with your military ID and the contact information of your old pharmacy. They will "pull" the remaining refills for you. * **The Provider Method:** Ask your doctor to electronically send (e-Scribe) the prescription to the new pharmacy's specific location.
### 3. Transferring to a Military Pharmacy (MTF) Military pharmacies are the "first choice" because they have a **$0 copay**. * **Electronic Transfer:** Check if your MTF accepts transfers from retail pharmacies. Many require your doctor to send a brand-new prescription directly to the MTF’s electronic queue. * **Formula Check:** Always use the [TRICARE Formulary Search Tool](https://www.express-scripts.com/tform) to ensure the MTF stocks your specific medication before attempting a transfer.
### 2. 2026 Pharmacy Copay Structure As of 2026, those using the pharmacy benefit should be aware of these costs for a 90-day supply:
| Medication Tier | Home Delivery (90-day) | Retail Network (30-day) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Generic** | $16 | $16 | | **Brand Name** | $43 | $48 | | **Non-Formulary** | $92 | $92 | | **Military Pharmacy**| $0 | N/A |
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs):** Must use military pharmacies whenever possible; $0 copay. * **Retirees and Family Members:** Impacted by the cost difference between retail and home delivery. * **TRICARE For Life (TFL) Users:** Must use Home Delivery or an MTF for maintenance medications; retail refills of maintenance drugs are generally not covered for TFL beneficiaries after two fills. * **Beneficiaries Moving Regions:** Those moving between Humana Military (East) and TriWest (West) do not need to change their Express Scripts account, as the pharmacy manager remains the same regardless of region.
Common scenarios
### Scenario A: Moving to Home Delivery Jane is a retiree in the East Region taking a brand-name blood pressure medication. She currently pays $48 every month at a retail pharmacy. She transfers her prescription to **Express Scripts Home Delivery**. Her 2026 cost drops from $48/month ($144 for 90 days) to **$43 for a 90-day supply**, saving her $101 every three months.
### Scenario B: Relocating to a New State Mark moves from San Diego to Florida. He uses a local retail network pharmacy for an acute antibiotic. He simply walks into a Florida Walgreens with his ID card and asks them to call his San Diego pharmacy to transfer the remaining refills. Because he is TRICARE Select, his copay for the generic 30-day supply is **$16 (2026 rates)** at the new location.
### Scenario C: Switching to an MTF Sarah lives near a military base and wants to stop paying the $16 generic copay at her local grocery store. She checks the TRICARE Formulary and sees her drug is stocked at the base. She has her doctor send a new script to the MTF. Her cost immediately drops to **$0**.
## Related terms * **Express Scripts:** The national Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) for all TRICARE plans. * **Formulary:** The list of generic and brand-name drugs covered by TRICARE. * **Maintenance Medication:** Drugs taken daily for long-term conditions (e.g., cholesterol, blood pressure). * **Maintenance Drug Policy:** The rule requiring certain beneficiaries to switch from retail to Home Delivery or an MTF for long-term meds. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** A military hospital or clinic where prescriptions are filled at no cost.
## Sources * TRICARE Pharmacy Overview: [https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy](https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy) * Express Scripts TRICARE Portal: [https://tricare.express-scripts.com](https://tricare.express-scripts.com) * TRICARE Formulary Search: [https://www.express-scripts.com/tform](https://www.express-scripts.com/tform)