TRICARE Formulary Changes for Test Strips

[PixieStix]

Maybe I missed this already posted but I just noticed on the Express Scripts website a notice for changes to the DoD formulary for BG test strips. There was a letter dated Feb 09 that supposedly went out to beneficiaries who used diabetes supplies posted online, but I know we never received it. Looks like only Accu-chek Aviva, Ascensia Contour Freestyle Lite, Precision Xtra strips will now be available for the $9 copay via mailorder. They do have instructions to get the meter to support these strips, but if you are using other brands will likely want to switch or be prepared to pay more out of pocket. My local MTF is only going to carry Precision and Aviva strips. Oh, but you can get more choices on lancets, including multiclix. Here is the link to the letter if you want to read it:
http://www.express-scripts.com/custo...ic_02_2009.pdf

[frizzyrazzy]

I got it long ago.
Since we already use freestyle and had planned on switching to Freestyle Lite I'm not really worried.

if you need an alternate strip for some reason (like freestyle to work with a cozmo or omnipod) or Onetouch for MM you can fill out a form and they will approve a waiver which I can't find at the moment. (there is a tricare military yahoo diabetes group - they listed it a while back)

[czardoust]

our military hospital carries the precision which is what we use. We got that letter. Guess every one is feeling the financial crunch (including military?)

[CaelinsMommy]

We also got the letter. Currently we're using the One Touch Ultrasmart, we like it, it works for us and those are the only reasons we use it. I will happily walk into the pharmacy and plunk down a $22 co-pay for them. The only things our MTF doesn't stock are Multiclix, Apidra, and the OT Ultra test strips(obviously). I can't complain about a $22 copay when there are others out there with no insurance or inadequate insurance, JMO.

[Illinifan]

Thanks for posting the link. We did not receive the letter. We have always gotten our Precision Xtra test strips from the base pharmacy at Wright-Patterson so there isn't an impact to us at this point.

I am concerned that we didn't get this letter though. We're in the North Region. Did anybody else in North not get the letter?

Another idea...we've never used the TMOP. Did the letter only go to those folks who have used the mail order pharmacy?

[CaelinsMommy]

We are North region and do not use mail order. I would say we got the letter sometime back in late January or early February. Our Endo's office knew of the changes though probably back in November (that's when we changed meters).

[frizzyrazzy]

we're in the north region and actually use the US Family health option so we never use the regular mail order and we also got the letter back in Jan/Feb.

[Riley'sMom]

We are in the North and did not get the letter either. We use Liberty Medical and Freestyle Flash test strips.

[frizzyrazzy]

Here's the form for request for non-formulary exceptions.

https://rxnet.army.mil/pec/files/lim...PS20090303.pdf

In section two you circle the applicable number 1-4. If it's for a dexcom on omnipod you circle #1 and have the dr write in the appropriate thing ("patient using dexcom and dex needs freestyle flash" for example)

[Illinifan]

I just called the Abbott order number and got a Precision Xtra meter sent to me at no cost. I just had to reference the letter.