Military families can now benefit from improved access to prescription services thanks to Kroger pharmacies rejoining the Tricare retail pharmacy network.
As of Wednesday, over 2,200 Kroger locations across 35 states are available for Tricare beneficiaries, as reported by Defense Health Agency (DHA) officials.
Kroger operates under several brand names, including Baker’s Pharmacy, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, and Smith’s Food and Drug.
Finding In-Network Pharmacies
Beneficiaries seeking in-network pharmacies can easily find one through Tricare’s online “Find a Pharmacy” tool.
Peter Graves, a spokesperson for the Defense Health Agency, noted that as of December, the pharmacy network comprised approximately 42,000 locations; however, this number can change frequently.
He emphasized that the Tricare Pharmacy Network is not static, with new pharmacies continually joining or leaving each month due to various factors.
The DHA is committed to ensuring beneficiaries can access a Tricare pharmacy within the recommended drive time limits.
Cost-Sharing Structure
Under the current contract, Express Scripts manages the Tricare prescription plan, ensuring that 90% of beneficiaries are within a 15-minute drive of at least one pharmacy.
- $16 for generic formulary medications
- $43 for brand-name formulary medications
- $76 for non-formulary medications
In addition to Tricare retail pharmacies, military pharmacies offer medications free of charge when they’re available.
Beneficiaries can also opt for Tricare Pharmacy Home Delivery.
While non-network pharmacies are an option, those using them will have to pay full prices upfront and seek reimbursement, which can include deductible and out-of-pocket costs.
Kroger’s Reentry and Impact
Kroger pharmacies had previously exited the Tricare network and ended their partnership with Express Scripts on January 1, 2023, citing issues with the pricing model from Express Scripts as unsustainable for their business and their customers.
Express Scripts provides plans serving over 100 million individuals.
Recently, Kroger Health announced a renewed agreement with Express Scripts, allowing it to service Tricare beneficiaries and members of Express Scripts’ Medicare Part D programs once again.
Additionally, clients enrolled in Express Scripts’ commercial and Medicaid plans can now consider Kroger pharmacies as part of their networks.
Last October, nearly 15,000 independent pharmacies had withdrawn from the Tricare pharmacy network, largely due to complaints over insufficient reimbursement rates.
However, a significant turnaround occurred in January, when 4,356 of those pharmacies rejoined, bringing the total back up to around 42,000 in 2023.
Kroger’s reentry into the Tricare network doesn’t completely restore the previous levels of pharmacy access, yet it signifies an agreement aimed at serving all customers of Express Scripts, as stated by Karen Ruedisueli, director of government relations for health affairs at the Military Officers Association of America.
Despite this, there’s cautious optimism that Kroger’s renewed presence will enhance access for some rural military families who experienced challenges as a result of the pharmacy network reductions in 2022.
Source: Militarytimes