You've heard by now that Tricare no longer has a contract with CVS pharmacies, including those in Target stores. That means you can no longer use CVS to purchase medication you want covered by Tricare. But what about prescription infant formula?
Here's three things you need to know about the Tricare pharmacy changes.
However, there are a few loop holes here. As we reported earlier, Minute Clinics located within CVS stores are still a part of the Tricare urgent care network. And while the switch also impacts specialty medications provided through mail order by CVS's subsidiary Coram, it does not impact prescription infant forum provided via Coram.
Why? Because prescription infant formula isn't considered medication by Tricare. It's considered "durable medical equipment."
Huh? Durable medical equipment?
Whether or not that makes sense, specialty foods provided under a prescription and covered by Tricare are not considered "medicine," but rather "equipment." I can't explain why this is the designation. Let's just call this one of the many complexities of healthcare policy that defies human understanding.
That means if you receive prescription infant formula through Coram, thought this whole thing would mean a provider switch and don't understand why you haven't been notified yet, you're in the clear. You will continue to use Coram.
"While CVS is no longer part of the Tricare pharmacy network, Coram is still a Tricare network medical provider, generally durable medical equipment," Tricare officials told me. Durable medical equipment requires a prescription. If the formula is prescribed under the medical benefit, Coram can continue to fill the prescription."
The more you know.
