I hear you loud and clear!
I want to take this opportunity to let you know that we are expanding our pharmacy services! Our refill pickup window located in the Medical Home Port lobby has been under construction since June 8 and is expected to be complete by July 2, so that we can add a second window to expedite your refill pickup and consultation process.
Safety is our first priority and the consultation process is necessary so that pharmacy staff can verify that you have the correct medications prescribed to you.
During the renovation, you may obtain your refills at pharmacy window 6. It is advisable to schedule ahead and save time by using our NHCCC pharmacy refill phone number: 1-877-520-6582. Refills are available two business days after the telephone request. They can also be requested using TRICARE online: www.tricareonline.com, accessed by using your DoD self-service login, CAC, or DFAS myPay login and password.
As a matter of interest, when 75 percent of the last fill has been used, you can request a refill. For example, for a 90-day supply of medication a refill request may be called in 22 days or less ahead of time.
I would also like to clarify the difference between a refill and renewal. Refills are authorized when a provider writes the original prescription and can be requested via Tricare Online or the NHCCC pharmacy refill number. Renewals are new prescriptions for a past medication and dose that have expired or have no refills remaining. New prescriptions expire after 1 year unless they are a controlled substance, which are limited by law to either 6 months or 60 days, depending on the medication. Consult with our staff for more information.
If you have a new prescription and you would like to get it filled at NHCCC pharmacy, you can verify that we have it in stock by taking a look at our list of available medications, called a formulary. It is available at: http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhccc/Patients/Documents/NHCCC%20FORMULARY%20REV%2004-18.pdf
I’ve been asked, “How can I obtain my medication, it is not on the NHCCC formulary?”
If your medication is not available here, the prescription can be dispensed at retail pharmacies that take TRICARE, or you can obtain it from the TRICARE Mail order pharmacy: http://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Pharmacy/Drugs.aspx
You may also use the TRICARE Formulary Search tool, which will let you know whether the medication is covered by TRICARE and what the estimated co-payments are for the location of service.
The last thing that I want to mention this time is that we serve 160-200 patients daily and fill 600-900 prescriptions per day. The best times to visit to minimize your wait is early morning from 8 to 10 a.m., or 1 to 2 p.m. With your continued help, we pledge to do everything possible to speed up delivery of your prescriptions.
Please be sure and check our “Pharmacy Corner” on our social media page: www.facebook.com/nhccc/. Besides useful information about peak times in our pharmacy, services, and options about getting your prescriptions refilled or even initiated, the “Pharmacy Corner” will allow you to comment or make suggestions.
If you don’t use social media, but you would like the information via e-mail, provide your e-mail address to: usn.corpuschristi.navhlthclinccitx.list.corp-public-affairs@mail.mil and we will take care of the rest.
Finally, our Patient Advocacy Center always welcomes your ICE comments or suggestions: http://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=site&site_id=1122&dep=DoD. Thank you for allowing us to serve you, and you have my sincere appreciation for your patience and for the input you provide.