Walmart is "leaving" Tricare's pharmacy network on Dec. 15. It's departure, according to pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts, is the result of the retail store's reluctance to offer more competitive discounts to military health beneficiaries. CVS Pharmacy will return to the network after a 5-year hiatus. Effective Dec. 15, Walmart and Sam's Club will no longer be a part of the Tricare pharmacy network. CVS will be included among the list of network retail pharmacies where Tricare users can fill prescriptions. CVS has nearly 10,000 pharmacy locations. Walmart has 5,000. Under the new deal, all prescriptions filled at a Walmart will be considered non-network. Beneficiaries would have to pay the full cost of their meds up front and file a claim for partial reimbursement. In a curious sidebar to the story is Walmart and Express Scripts signed a "multi-year" deal on Sept. 30 to remain in the network, according to a company spokesman. Walmart was "surprised" to learn that its pharmacy contract had been terminated, the spokesman said. (Source: Military.com 10/25/21) Walmart Says It Was Blindsided by Its Ouster from Tricare Network | Military.com
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