A:
Medical necessity does not need to be established for family members and retirees to receive a non-formulary drug at a retail network pharmacy or at the TRICARE mail order pharmacy. Non-formulary copays will apply.
If your provider considers it medically necessary for you to receive the non-formulary drug rather than a formulary therapeutic alternative, you may be able to pay a lower copay. Your provider may call the Express Scripts prior authorization line at 1-866-684-4488 to establish medical necessity, or they may fill out the medical necessity form that is linked to that medication on the Formulary Search Tool and fax it to Express-Scripts.
For active duty service members, medical necessity is required to receive a TRICARE non-formulary drug.
Military pharmacies do not typically stock or dispense non-formulary medications. If you are enrolled to the military clinic and referred out to a civilian provider who prescribes a non-formulary medication, contact your military pharmacy for options.
Medical necessity forms and prior authorization are separate forms and both may be required. If a prior authorization is listed in the "Notes" section of the Formulary Search Tool, the prior authorization must be approved before medical necessity requirements.