"...The Senate Armed Services Committee has agreed with its House counterpart to block the Obama administration’s plan to phase in some new and some significantly higher Tricare enrollment fees and deductibles for military retirees and their families.
But the Senate panel has signaled that the administration can use existing authority to raise beneficiary co-pays on brand name prescription drugs filled through retail pharmacies or the Tricare mail order program.
The absence of any new Senate prohibition, combined with the House committee’s vote in May to raise at least some drug co-pays effective Oct. 15 this year, means Tricare beneficiaries are almost certain to see prescription drug costs off base climb starting this fall..."
But the Senate panel has signaled that the administration can use existing authority to raise beneficiary co-pays on brand name prescription drugs filled through retail pharmacies or the Tricare mail order program.
The absence of any new Senate prohibition, combined with the House committee’s vote in May to raise at least some drug co-pays effective Oct. 15 this year, means Tricare beneficiaries are almost certain to see prescription drug costs off base climb starting this fall..."