TRICARE Coverage for Generics: What Military Families Need to Know in 2026

When you’re in the military or a family member of someone who is, getting your prescriptions shouldn’t be a headache. But with TRICARE’s formulary rules, copays, and pharmacy options, it’s easy to get confused-especially when it comes to generics. The good news? TRICARE covers generics aggressively, and for most people, it’s one of the most affordable prescription drug programs in the country. The bad news? Not every generic is covered, and the rules change depending on where you fill your prescription.

How TRICARE Handles Generic Drugs

TRICARE doesn’t just cover generics-it pushes them. As of 2025, 92% of all prescriptions filled through TRICARE are for generic medications. That’s higher than most civilian insurance plans. Why? Because generics work the same way as brand-name drugs but cost 80-85% less. The FDA says they’re identical in active ingredients, strength, dosage, and safety. TRICARE agrees-and saves billions because of it.

The program organizes drugs into four tiers. Generics sit in Tier 1, the cheapest and most preferred level. If your medication is on the TRICARE Formulary as a generic, you’re in the clear. But here’s the catch: just because a drug is generic doesn’t mean it’s automatically covered. About 12% of generic drugs still require prior authorization, especially if there’s a cheaper alternative on the formulary or if it’s used for a condition not approved by TRICARE.

Where to Fill Your Prescription and What You Pay

Your out-of-pocket cost for a generic drug depends entirely on where you get it. There are three main options:

• Military pharmacies: $0 copay. Always. No exceptions. If you live near a military treatment facility, this is your best option. Fill your lisinopril, metformin, or atorvastatin here, and you pay nothing.
• TRICARE Home Delivery (through Express Scripts): $14 for a 90-day supply starting January 1, 2026. That’s up from $13 in 2025. This is ideal for chronic condition meds like blood pressure or diabetes drugs. You order online or by phone, and it ships to your door.
• Network retail pharmacies (like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid): $16 for a 30-day supply. This rate stays the same through 2026. Make sure the pharmacy is in the TRICARE network-otherwise, you’ll pay way more.

Here’s the kicker: if you use a non-network pharmacy, you’ll pay 50% of the cost after your deductible, or $48-whichever is higher. That’s why checking the TRICARE Formulary Search tool before you go to the pharmacy is critical.

How to Check If Your Generic Is Covered

You can’t assume your doctor’s prescription will be covered just because it’s generic. TRICARE’s formulary changes every month. A drug that was covered last month might be removed if a cheaper alternative becomes available.

Use the official TRICARE Formulary Search tool (on Express Scripts’ site). Enter the exact drug name and strength. The tool tells you:

• Is it on the formulary?
• What tier is it in?
• Do you need prior authorization?
• What’s the copay at each pharmacy type?

Pro tip: Print or screenshot the results and bring them to your pharmacy. Many retail staff aren’t trained on TRICARE rules, and you’ll save time-and frustration-by showing them the official info.

What’s Not Covered (And Why)

TRICARE excludes some generics outright. The biggest change in 2025 was the removal of weight loss medications like phentermine and lorcaserin from coverage for TRICARE For Life beneficiaries (retirees and their spouses over 65). That decision, made under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, affects about 1.2 million people. These drugs are FDA-approved and commonly prescribed, but TRICARE considers them non-essential for military readiness.

Another gap: generic biologics. These are complex drugs like biosimilar versions of Humira or Enbrel. TRICARE requires more documentation for these, with 22% higher prior authorization rates than regular generics. That’s because interchangeability standards are still being defined by the FDA and the Department of Defense.

How TRICARE Compares to Other Plans

Let’s put this in perspective:

2026 Generic Drug Copays Comparison

Plan Type	30-Day Generic Copay	90-Day Generic Copay	Military Pharmacy Option
TRICARE (Retail)	$16	N/A	Yes ($0)
TRICARE (Home Delivery)	N/A	$14	Yes ($0)
Medicare Part D	$7-$10	$20-$30	No
VA Pharmacy	$0	$0	Yes ($0)
Average Employer Plan	$15-$25	$30-$50	No

TRICARE’s retail copay is competitive. Its home delivery rate is lower than most employer plans. And the $0 military pharmacy option? That’s unmatched. Medicare doesn’t offer it. VA does-but only for veterans who qualify. TRICARE gives you both.

Real Stories from Beneficiaries

On Reddit, a Marine Corps retiree wrote: “My generic cholesterol med costs $14 for 90 days through home delivery. My civilian friends pay $30 for 30 days. I’m not complaining.”

Another user on Military OneSource shared: “I had to wait three days for prior authorization on my generic thyroid med. Frustrating, but they approved it. I called the TRICARE helpline-they were helpful.”

But not everyone is happy. A 68-year-old retiree’s wife wrote: “We lost access to our weight loss meds on August 31, 2025. No warning. No alternative. My husband’s diabetes got worse.”

These stories reflect the reality: TRICARE works well for most people, but gaps exist-especially for retirees and those on newer or niche medications.

What You Can Do to Avoid Problems

Here’s a simple checklist to keep your prescriptions running smoothly:

1. Always check the TRICARE Formulary Search tool before your doctor writes a script.
2. Ask your provider to prescribe a generic from the formulary-don’t assume “generic” means covered.
3. If your drug isn’t covered, ask your doctor to request prior authorization. Approval rates are 78%.
4. Use military pharmacies when possible. No copay. No hassle.
5. Sign up for TRICARE Home Delivery if you take chronic meds. Save money and skip trips to the pharmacy.
6. Call the TRICARE Pharmacy Helpline at 1-877-363-1303 if you’re unsure. They handled 1.2 million calls in 2025.

What’s Changing in 2026 and Beyond

TRICARE is making moves. By Q3 2026, providers will be able to see real-time cost and coverage info right in their electronic health records. That means fewer surprises at the pharmacy.

Step therapy is expanding too. You might need to try one generic before moving to another-especially for pain, mental health, or autoimmune drugs. This isn’t new, but it’s becoming more common.

By 2028, TRICARE plans to start using pharmacogenomic testing for certain high-risk medications. That means your DNA could help determine which generic works best for you-cutting trial-and-error and side effects.

Experts predict generic use will hit 94% by 2030. That’s good news for the program-and for your wallet.

Final Thoughts

TRICARE’s coverage for generics is one of its strongest features. It’s not perfect-prior authorizations can delay care, some drugs are excluded, and retail staff often don’t know the rules. But if you know how to navigate it, you’ll pay less than almost anyone else in the U.S. for the same medications.

Use the formulary tool. Stick to military pharmacies when you can. Call the helpline if you’re stuck. And remember: your generic isn’t just cheaper-it’s just as effective. TRICARE knows that. Now you do too.