If you've waited in line at the Madigan Army Medical Center's pharmacy and watched those numbers tick by slowly, the idea of going to an outside pharmacy may have crossed your mind.
The following is list of some retail pharmacies in both Pierce and Thurston counties that accept Tricare. Note: for pharmacy/store chains, all locations will accept TRICARE, not just those listed. To find additional network pharmacies, call (877) 363-1303.
- Target Pharmacy, 10509 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Tacoma; (253) 414-1232.
- Lakewood Pharmacy, 9601 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood; (253) 581-3426.
- Safeway Pharmacy, 10223 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, Lakewood; (253) 581-7181.
- Franciscan Pharmacy at St. Clare, 11315 Bridgeport Way, Lakewood; (253) 985-6290.
- Wal-Mart, 7001 Bridgeport Way W, Lakewood; (253) 512-0960.
- Albertsons/Sav-On, 8611 Steilacoom Blvd, Lakewood; (253) 582-4149.
- Bartell Drug, 2700 Bridgeport Wa, Ste D, University Place; (253) 460-1879.
- Costco, 5500 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater; (360) 357-7290.
- Fred Meyer Pharmacy, 700 Sleater-Kinney Road SE, Lacey; (360) 438-6483.
- Walgreens, 4540 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey; (360) 438-2353.
- QFC Pharmacy, 4775 Whitman Lane SE, Lacey; (360) 438-6314.
- Medical Center Pharmacy, 3525 Ensign Road, Olympia; (360) 491-7521.
- Top Food & Drug, 1313 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia; (360) 754-1504.
In case of emergency or needs after regular duty-hours, the following locations have 24-hour pharmacies:
- Walgreens, 9505 Bridgeport Way SW, Tacoma; (253) 582-2230.
- Walgreens, 15225 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma; (253) 538-6775.
- Walgreens, 5602 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma; (253) 203-0026.
- Walgreens, 4315 6th Avenue, Tacoma; (253) 203-0074.
- Rite Aid, 2131 SW 336th Street, Federal Way; (253) 952-2803.
- Walgreens, 1510 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia; (360) 570-8008.
Remember that prescriptions filled at an approved outside pharmacy are not free. For those enrolled in TRICARE Prime, a 30-day supply of a generic medication is $3; brand name medications in the formulary are $9, and non-formulary medications are $22.
However, according to local Walgreens pharmacist Jennifer (who requested her last name be withheld), the stores often don't know ahead of time what is in the formulary. Usually, that determination comes after they have submitted the request and filled the prescription.
"Aside from that, they just need their prescription in hand and to show their military ID," Jennifer added. "It's easy enough."
For additional rates, plans and more information about the formulary, visit www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Prescriptions/Costs.
Aside from having prescriptions filled, Tricare's retail network pharmacies can also administer certain immunizations to both servicemembers and their dependents. Active duty military who receive vaccinations at an outside pharmacy must obtain proper documentation from the pharmacy to have the information entered into their shot record by close of business the next duty day.
The flu vaccination, via both an injection and intranasal spray, is 100-percent covered, as is the pneumococcal vaccine (otherwise known as the pneumonia shot). All other vaccines must be administered in the Madigan Immunization Clinic, a doctor's office or authorized convenience clinic to be fully covered by TRICARE's preventive health services cost-share waiver.