House Bill Would Provide Relief from TRICARE Pharmacy Copays During COVID-19 Crisis

House Bill Would Provide Relief from TRICARE Pharmacy Copays During COVID-19 Crisis
Airman 1st Class Jessika Ilgen of the 436th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron receives a prescription order at a curbside pharmacy, April 18 at Dover AFB, Del. (Photo by Mauricio Campino/Air Force)

Note from MOAA: Have you been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, or the response? Share your story to help MOAA understand the needs of the uniformed services community in this challenging time.

 

MOAA continues to make progress toward a possible TRICARE pharmacy copay waiver during the COVID-19 national emergency.

 

Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Elaine Luria (D-Va.) have introduced H.R. 6573, the Help our Heroes Access Medicine Act, authorizing DoD to waive TRICARE prescription copays during national emergencies.

 

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmaker to Support H.R. 6573]

 

While the legislation stops short of mandating a copay waiver, it outlines the decision criteria Congress expects DoD to use in evaluating a waiver during such emergencies. By doing so, it makes the intent of Congress clear: TRICARE mail order pharmacy copays should be waived under the current circumstances.

 

The bill not only gives DoD flexibility in using the authority to waive copays, but also ensures officials can use this legislation in future national emergencies.

 

As Congress considers the next round of coronavirus stimulus legislation, MOAA is reaching out to the Senate side to encourage a companion bill.

 

Please join us in our efforts by encouraging your member of Congress to support H.R. 6573.

 

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About the Author

Karen Ruedisueli
Karen Ruedisueli

Ruedisueli is MOAA’s Director of Government Relations for Health Affairs and also serves as co-chair of The Military Coalition’s (TMC) Health Care Committee. She spent six years with the National Military Family Association, advocating for families of the uniformed services with a focus on health care and military caregivers.