Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

Military Pharmacies Restored to Full Operations After Change Healthcare Cyberattack

Image of Military Pharmacies Restored to Full Operations After Change Healthcare Cyberattack. In February, a reported cyberattack on the nation’s largest commercial prescription processor impacted military clinics and hospitals worldwide, as well as some retail pharmacies. In response, the 59th Medical Wing's Pharmacy team at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland implemented emergency plans to continue serving patients and provide medical support to the United States Air Force's basic training mission. Ultimately, the pharmacy never stopped providing medical care, dispensing over 70,000 prescriptions during the outage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody Bordeaux)

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Military pharmacies have returned to normal operations after a cyberattack in February. This attack was on the nation’s largest commercial prescription processor, Change Healthcare.

On Feb. 21, CHC disconnected its systems due to a breach in their network. This outage temporarily prevented affected military pharmacies and some retail pharmacies nationally from processing claims and filling prescriptions.

Military pharmacies quickly adapted. They shifted to using offline processes to ensure prescriptions were filled safely. These internal downtime operations procedures and manual checks ensured that prescriptions were processed safely for patients. These checks included validating the correct medications and dosages.

As of Apr. 2, the connection to CHC is restored. Military pharmacies have returned to standard operations. They’re now able to process claims through Express Scripts. Express Scripts is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor.

“Our priority was to ensure that beneficiaries could access medications during this time. We’re proud of our team’s hard work to fill prescriptions. And we’re happy to resume routine operations now,” said Edward Norton, Jr., Pharmacy Operations Division chief at the Defense Health Agency.

Did you have to file a pharmacy claim? You can learn more about pharmacy claims. Or you can contact Express Scripts.

Do you have questions about filling your prescriptions? You can contact your local military pharmacy or TRICARE retail network pharmacy.

Want to learn more? You can visit TRICARE prescription drug coverage and pharmacy options.

Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.

You also may be interested in...

Article
May 31, 2023

Transformed U.S. Army Pharmacy Readiness Training Course Enhances Force Sustainment for Future Combat Operations

U.S. Army Capt Lauren Kaminski of Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rosalinda Bermea-Arriaga from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, log controlled substance medications in the pharmacy at the training field hospital at Camp Bullis, Texas. Proper management of controlled substances is vital to the safety, security, and legal compliance of our forces. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Army pharmacists and pharmacy specialists from across the country traveled to Camp Bullis, Texas, this week to participate in a 40-hour deployment readiness course hosted by the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence. The course is designed to prepare personnel to provide efficient pharmaceutical in an austere, multi-domain, large-scale operating ...

Article
Apr 4, 2023

How to Approve Your TRICARE Home Delivery Prescription Refills

How to Approve Your TRICARE Home Delivery Prescription Refills

Are your prescriptions enrolled in the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery automatic refill program, administered by Express Scripts? If they are, did you know you must approve your refills before they’re sent to you? Not only is the process easy and convenient, but it will also help prevent excess prescription waste.

Topic
Jul 11, 2023

Information for Patients: TRICARE Pharmacy Program

The TRICARE Pharmacy Program provides prescription drugs to beneficiaries in a safe, easy, and cost-effective manner. TRICARE has partnered with Express Scripts, Inc. to offer a robust pharmacy benefit.

Article
Oct 28, 2022

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Military medical personnel in pharmacy

The U.S. Air Force’s success as a fighting force is dependent on the capability of airmen to withstand the physical rigors associated with combat and other military operations. Pharmacies fill a vital role in that task—supplying medication that is essential to effectively treat ailments and maintain a healthy and ready force.

Publication
Nov 16, 2021

Pharmacy Inserts

.PDF | 603.22 KB

Pharmacy bag inserts for print with blue boarders. Notice of new copayments in effect on January 1, 2022. Links to www.tricare.mil/pharmacy for more information. Includes a QR code in the upper right corner and the TRICARE logo on the bottom right.

Infographic
Nov 16, 2021

Pharmacy Screensaver

A screensaver reminding beneficiaries of the updated copayments taking effect on January 1, 2022. Links to www.tricare.mil/pharmacy for more information.

A screensaver reminding beneficiaries of the new copayments taking effect on January 1, 2022. Links to www.tricare.mil/pharmacy. Includes a QR code in the upper right corner, the TRICARE logo centered in the footer, and graphics of military and retail pharmacies.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: April 16, 2024
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery