Military families face pharmacy waits at Fox Army Health Center amid TRICARE copayment hike

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Patients at Fox Army Health Center’s pharmacy should expect longer wait times as beneficiaries respond to new TRICARE prescription drug copayments that took effect this month.

The on-base pharmacy is experiencing a significant surge in prescription volume as many military families transfer their medications back from mail-order and retail pharmacies to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs, according to a notice issued by the health center.

“Many beneficiaries are choosing to transfer their prescriptions back from mail order and retail pharmacies to reduce out-of-pocket costs,” the advisory stated. Wait times are especially lengthy during peak hours between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The increased copayments stem from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, which established a schedule of TRICARE prescription drug costs running through Dec. 31, 2027. While the legislation was passed years ago, the latest round of increases took effect Jan. 1, 2026.

“Most beneficiaries will pay $1 to $9 more per copayment for covered drugs they get through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery and TRICARE retail network pharmacies,” said U.S. Public Health Service Cmdr. Teisha Robertson, chief of the Pharmacy Benefit Integration Branch at the Defense Health Agency.

The only bright spot: the cost of generic formulary drugs at retail network pharmacies will remain unchanged.

The copayment increases don’t apply equally across all beneficiaries:

• Active duty service members continue to pay nothing for covered drugs at military pharmacies, through home delivery, or at retail network pharmacies.
• Survivors of active duty service members and medically retired service members and their families will see no changes to their copayments in 2026.
• All other beneficiaries, including most retirees and their family members, face the copayment increases.

The influx at Fox Army Health Center and likely other military treatment facility pharmacies nationwide reflects a cost-driven shift in where beneficiaries choose to fill their prescriptions. Military pharmacies remain the most affordable option for those who face the new copayments, prompting many to switch back from commercial alternatives.

TRICARE groups prescription drugs into four cost tiers: generic formulary drugs (least expensive), brand-name formulary drugs, non-formulary drugs, and non-covered drugs. Beneficiaries can search the TRICARE Formulary online to determine their medication’s category and associated costs.

The pharmacy team at Fox Army Health Center said it is working to serve all patients “safely and efficiently” despite the increased demand, and thanked beneficiaries for their patience during the transition period.

For more information about TRICARE pharmacy costs and the formulary, beneficiaries can visit the TRICARE website or contact their local military pharmacy.