On 20 DEC, beneficiary representatives got to review the latest Defense recommendations to move some Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy medications to the third tier ($22 copay), along with some newer contraceptive and topical antifungal agents.

The beneficiary panel concurred with moving Focalin, Focalin XR, and Daytrana to the third tier with a 90-day implementation time.

That will still leave a choice of four ADHD drugs at the lower copay level: Straterra, Concerta, Ritalin, and Adderall. Two new contraceptives (Seasonique and Loestrin 24 Fe) and one new antifungal drug (Vusion) will be moved to the third tier.

Over 30 contraceptives will remain in the formulary for a $3 or $9 copay.

MOAA Deputy Director CDR John Class, USN (Ret) once again urged timely notification to beneficiaries affected by the change. Currently, DoD depends on the military associations to spread the word. But relatively short lead times for implementation leave no time for advance publication in associations' magazines. Thus, for beneficiaries who don't receive e-mail updates from members of the Military Coalition (TMC), Retiree Activities Offices (RAO/RSO), and others the first notification is usually when they show up for their refills and get charged $22 instead of the $9. The recommendations will be submitted to Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Dr. William Winkenwerder for final decision.

Third tier drugs may not be stocked in Military Treatment Facility (MTF) pharmacies, but may be special-ordered if prescribed by an MTF physician after a medical necessity determination is granted and may be special-ordered if prescribed by a non-MTF physician to whom the patient was referred after medical necessity is determined to be warranted.

For information, you may contact the TRICARE retail pharmacy (TRRx) customer service line at (866) 363-8779, or visit them online. For the TRICARE mail order pharmacy (TMOP) go to their Web site or call (866) 363-8667.

For additional information, go to the Formulary Search Tool for additional information about medications, their availability and cost at the TRICARE Web site.