Found in Contra Costa Chapter October BULLETIN
Editor’s Notebook
Some chapter newsletters choose to publish articles from National MOAA verbatim whereas your editor elects to condense, and at times rephrase national items. This month is a good example. Rather than dwell on the intricate issues involving Tricare’s Mail-Order Pharmacy (TMOP), we will provide merely the highlights. Anyone wanting more detail can request the same from the Editor.,
It seems that only 6% of those using TMOP do so through the mail. This is a bit difficult to understand. Each prescription dispensed through the mail-order system saves the Pentagon an average of $50 to $150, depending on what’s counted. Beneficiaries who use TMOP save 67%, too, since they get a three-month supply for the same co-payment that buys a one-month supply in a retail pharmacy.
Your. Editor can testify as to the efficiency of the system. When you mail in a Rx it is handled promptly, and refills are a snap on the internet. There is hardly a valid reason for not using this system.
On the other hand, pharmacists oppose the move, citing loss of local revenue. So, it depends on whose ox is being gored, it would seem.
The Bulletin may arrive just a bit late this month. My excuse? None, really. Did a stupid thing, not paying attention stepped off a curb and took a dive. Managed to crack two ribs and a few bruises, but being of stout Nordic origin, will be fine.

And the Editor is - LCDR Duane J. Counsell, USN (Ret)

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