TRICARE Supports Storm-affected

FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- August and September are proving to be active months for the Atlantic hurricane season, but Tricare beneficiaries can rest assured their health care needs are being met. In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav, Tricare officials are assisting more than 500,000 beneficiaries in affected areas.

Tricare officials partnered with those at Humana Military Healthcare Services and military treatment facilities in the South region to prepare in advance of the storms and to be responsive after the storms. With Hanna and Ike brewing along the East coast, the pressure will be on for that proactive response to continue.

In the first wide-reaching request since Hurricane Katrina, requirements for referrals from primary care managers, or PCMs, have been waived for Tricare beneficiaries in designated areas impacted by Gustav. Waivers of PCM referrals allow beneficiaries to seek medical care from any Tricare-authorized provider without a referral from a PCM during the waiver period. The waiver is currently scheduled to be in effect through Sept. 12.

Early prescription refills for beneficiaries impacted by the hurricane also have been authorized for a six-week period. This proactive measure enables Tricare beneficiaries to obtain critical medication refills before evacuation, after the storm passes, or in cases of extended relocation.

Tricare officials remind beneficiaries that early refills are only authorized for prescriptions that were prescribed with refills, and that have refills remaining. Affected beneficiaries may take their prescription bottle to any Tricare retail network pharmacy. If possible, those without their prescription bottle should visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled.

Beneficiaries can request assistance at a different pharmacy if the pharmacy agrees. If a retail chain is used, beneficiaries should consider using another store in that chain to obtain their medication. If a beneficiary's PCM is available, he or she may call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy in the area. For questions or to find the nearest network pharmacy call Express Scripts at 1-866-363-8779.

Tricare beneficiaries impacted by storms or flooding also may use their one-time-per-year override. Tricare pays for the beneficiary's additional refill when this override is used, but beneficiaries are responsible for applicable copayments. Additional provisions may be authorized if this benefit has already been used.

Tricare officials assure beneficiaries and families affected by natural disasters that their health care benefits will be maintained, and that service and support will continue. Beneficiaries can find information to help them prepare before natural disasters, and to seek help after natural disasters through the storm alert page linked from the red icon at the top of the Tricare Web site front page, the announcements section or directly at http://www.tricare.mil/tma/Announcement-08-29-2008.aspx.