Tricare officials implement new formulary search tool

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  • By Staff
  • Air Force News Service
Beneficiaries and providers can use the new Tricare formulary search tool to find the most up-to-date information about prescription medications.

Located at http://pec.ha.osd.mil/formulary_search.php, the new formulary search tool allows beneficiaries to easily find which medicines are in the uniform formulary. These are available at all full-service military treatment facilities and covered by Tricare.

Once a user has identified if a drug is available, they can use the search tool to get information on a drug, such as restriction on use. The tool also shows if the medication is Tier One (with a $3 copay,) Tier Two (with a $9 copay) or non-formulary (requiring a $22 copay.) It also shows when a generic equivalent is required.

As an added benefit, the new Tricare formulary search tool has integrated the prior authorization and medical necessity forms and criteria into a search engine while still maintaining a page with a complete list of all criteria and forms. Any restrictions such as quantity or age limits are displayed in one location.

"This should make it easier to find all relevant information about a specific drug instead of trying to click on different links to other Web pages and sort through vast amounts of information," said Jeremy Briggs, a pharmacy operations center official and search tool designer. "The idea is to have all that information available with one search, but still link back to pages for in-depth information."

The search tool's functionalities will increase and become more refined, based on feedback provided by patients and providers.

"The new Tricare formulary search tool is adaptable to meet the ever changing needs of our beneficiaries and we are planning to meet those needs," Mr. Briggs said.