Tricare Adjusts Pharmacy Copays for 2026, Impacting Military Beneficiaries
Tricare has implemented new pharmacy copay adjustments for 2026, affecting home delivery and retail pharmacy services. These changes are part of a schedule set by the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates annual increases in copays for Tricare pharmacy benefits. Military pharmacies continue to offer medications at no cost, while active-duty service members also enjoy $0 copays at network retail pharmacies and through Tricare home delivery. For 2026, the copays for a 90-day supply through home delivery are $14 for generic drugs, $44 for brand-name, and $85 for non-formulary medications. Retail network pharmacy copays for a 30-day supply are $16 for generic, $48 for brand-name, and $85 for non-formulary drugs. Non-network pharmacy prescriptions involve higher costs, with Tricare Prime beneficiaries facing a 50% cost-share after deductibles. Certain groups, such as active-duty service members and dependent survivors, are protected from these increases.