An Example of the Federal Government's Work in Health Care

As a military retiree, I depend upon Medicare and TRICARE for my health needs.  As an introduction to TRICARE for those of you without a military background, I am including information from their web-site below.  Express Scripts manages the prescription portion of TRICARE.

From the official TRICARE web sites

TRICARE is the health care program for Uniformed Service members, retirees and their families worldwide.                 

         ..............

 TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) ensures, with the support of the Surgeons General of the Military Departments, that Department of Defense (DoD) policy on health care is consistently, effectively and efficiently implemented throughout the Military Health System (MHS). The TMA is an activity of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)
 ...............

Express Scripts, in line with TRICARE Management Activity's commitment to the efficient management of the TRICARE Pharmacy benefit, has determined it will maintain the same robust retail pharmacy network of more than 57,000 pharmacies available to TRICARE beneficiaries. Walgreens will remain designated as a non-network pharmacy provider for TRICARE beneficiaries.

From MilitaryAdvantage.Military.com

Walgreens left the TRICARE retail pharmacy network when their contract with Express Scripts expired on December 31, 2011. On July 19, 2012, Express Scripts and Walgreens announced a new network agreement for Walgreens participation in one of Express Scripts networks. However, in line with TRICARE Management Activity’s commitment to the efficient management of the TRICARE Pharmacy benefit, Walgreens will remain designated as a non-network pharmacy provider for TRICARE beneficiaries.

It is my understanding that Walgreens is the largest pharmacy chain in America.  Up until last December we used them for our Rx medications.  They are close to our home, reliable, have 24 hour service in some locations and can be used almost anywhere we travel in the USA.  

What we now have is a pharmacy with set, shorter hours, is not national, and not nearly as convenient, yet was the best we could find beyond Walgreens.  "Non-network pharmacy provider" means I can use Walgreens, but pay the full amount, then must ask TRICARE/Express Scripts for a partial reimbursement.  I have lost my freedom of choice. Or, I have lost my prescription drug medical coverage.