NACDS, NCPA push Congress not to raise TRICARE copays

WASHINGTON — Two industry organizations are asking Congress not to raise pharmacy copays for TRICARE beneficiaries. In a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and National Community Pharmacists Association point out that the Congressional Budget Office has warned of the potential impact that provisions in the Senate FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

 

“In reviewing the Senate version of the FY2016 NDAA, the CBO found that copay increases would result in an increase of over $1 billion in other federal spending for medical services, particularly in Medicare,” the letter said. “The CBO has again this year found similar results for the copay increases included in the Senate version of the FY2017 NDAA.”

 

NACDS and NCPA urged the Senate committee to adopt the House’s position, which does not include provisions that would increase TRICARE copays, arguing that higher copays can have detrimental effects on patient health and federal spending. 

 

“Further copay increases place even greater financial burdens on TRICARE beneficiaries and unfairly penalize TRICARE beneficiaries who prefer to use local pharmacies,” the letter said. “Additionally, restricting beneficiary access and raising copay amounts can have the unintended effect of reducing medication adherence, resulting in decreased health outcomes and increased use of more costly medical interventions, such as physician and emergency room visits, and hospitalizations. These additional costs are often shifted to other federal programs.”