Seniors: How to Handle Prescriptions with TRICARE

Getting older often means more prescriptions. For many seniors who served or are family of service members, TRICARE is part of the picture. This page gives you clear steps to check coverage, lower costs, and manage medications so you worry less and stay healthier.

Understanding TRICARE coverage for seniors

If you’re a retiree 65 or older, you may have TRICARE for Life (TFL). TFL works with Medicare Part A and B — Medicare pays first, TRICARE pays second. That affects how much you pay and which pharmacy options make sense. For active-duty family members or those under 65, standard TRICARE rules and drug tiers apply.

Use the TRICARE formulary to see if a drug is covered and which tier it’s in. Lower tiers usually mean lower copays. Some medicines need prior authorization, step therapy, or must be filled at a military pharmacy or by mail. If a drug isn’t on the formulary, ask your provider about covered alternatives or how to request an exception.

Practical tips to manage meds and save money

1) Check coverage before you refill. Open the formulary search and type the drug name. That simple check can save a surprise bill. 2) Ask for generics. Many brand-name meds have generic equivalents that cut costs a lot. 3) Use mail-order or military pharmacies when it helps — 90-day supplies often cost less than three one-month fills.

Keep a single up-to-date medication list with doses and reasons for each drug. Bring it to every appointment and share it with your pharmacist. That prevents bad interactions and duplicate prescriptions. Use a pill organizer or set phone reminders so you don’t miss doses.

Request an annual medication review with your primary care provider or pharmacist. Seniors often end up on drugs they no longer need. A review can reduce side effects and lower costs. If a medication requires prior authorization, ask your provider to submit papers promptly and follow up so refills aren’t interrupted.

Watch for side effects that look like normal aging: confusion, dizziness, or falls. If something changes after a new drug, call your doctor. Some simple swaps—changing timing, dose, or switching to another covered drug—fix problems quickly.

Use available help. TRICARE has phone support and online tools to check eligibility and claims. Your pharmacy benefits manager can explain copays and tiers. If you’re on both TRICARE and Medicare, confirm which plan paid first on recent claims so you spot errors fast.

Small habits matter: refill a week early, sync all meds to the same refill date, and carry a card that shows your TRICARE and Medicare details. These moves cut stress and make managing meds much easier.

If you need step-by-step help, use the TRICARE Prescription Explorer to search the formulary, compare costs, and find pharmacy options. That keeps you informed and helps you make smarter choices about your health and your wallet.