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Clinics ask patients to fill prescriptions on base

  • Published
  • 49th Medical Group
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Have you been wondering what you can do to support the military during this time of fiscal crisis and potentially help protect your medical benefits? One way to help is by getting prescriptions filled at the local Military Treatment Facility or through the mail order program.

Did you know the average markup for filling a prescription in a retail pharmacy is five times what it costs the military pharmacy to fill? For example, TRICARE is billed $171 for 30 capsules of the most expensive drug filled off base right now, but the MTF can fill it locally for only $12.

In January, more than 9,800 prescriptions were filled by Holloman AFB beneficiaries. Eighteen percent of them were filled at retail pharmacies at a cost of $252,000. The pharmacy here filled 75 percent them for just $207,000. That's 57 percent more prescriptions filled for $45,000 less! Filling prescriptions on base also helps avoid the increased co-pays that went into effect in February.

Here are a few other reasons to choose the convenience of the Holloman AFB pharmacy:

- You can transfer your prescription from retail and other base pharmacies. Prescriptions can be transferred more than one time as long as they are not controlled medications.
- Doctors can fax prescriptions for all medications except narcotics. General prescriptions are automatically filled by 1 p.m. the next duty day without needing to check in and activate them. The fax number for the pharmacy is 572-5781.
- The pharmacy recently added 22 medications based on which prescriptions were being filled most frequently downtown. Reviews of possible additions will continue quarterly.
- The following formulary link provides information on what the pharmacy here carries and is helpful information for doctors. This link is continually updated. http://www.holloman.af.mil/units/49thmedicalgroup/index.asp
- Refills can be placed through TRICARE online.
- A 90-day supply can be filled on all non-controlled medications as long as it is specified on the prescription.
- The Express Scripts service allows beneficiaries to enjoy the convenience of having their medication delivered to their door. Express Scripts will not charge a co-pay for most generic medications. www.express-scripts.com/tricare