Another Health Insurance/Tricare/Medicare Question

I am 64 years old and am retired Army, retired civil service, and VA eligible for health care (60%). I currently have Blue Cross/Blue Shield as primary insurance and Tricare for Life as secondary insurance.

I am, as we all must, going to have to go under Medicare when I turn 65. At that point I will also turn my BC/BS into BC/BS Medigap. So far, so good. The problem comes with part D insurance. I have been unable to find out (actually have been given conflicting information) on if Tricare for Life pays for drugs that are not on the Post/Army schedule. One person (that works for Tricare) has said that they do. Another one, different office, said that once I hit 65 Tricare will not pay for anything on the commercial side, that it will only work for on base or mail-in service prescriptions.

Unfortunately, both my wife and I require medications that are currently not on the Post/Army schedule and that are paid for by BC/BS. There is no corresponding medication on the schedule due to allergies, interactions, etc.

Has anyone else out there run into this situation? What has been the result? Any suggestions for the best part D insurance if such is required?

Thanks for the assist.

Similar thing happened to me with off-schedule med at the VA clinic. Told my VA doctor, and she wrote script and told VA pharmacy this was required medication. Pharmacy now supplies it to me, and it does come in the mail ... so that's how it works with the VA -- don't know about other programs. So the best way might be through your doctor instead of trying to convince them yourself.

Or for this specific med, might try a VA doctor specifically -- you have coverage with 60% DAV for sure. Good luck M44

Both of us use the VA for primary medical care and Rx.......Both of us are Vets.....I'm 40% and Dock is Purple Heart x 2......only use Tricare for emergency care & meds on the road.........Have you talked with the folks at the VA about your wife for dependent care as you are more than 40%? She maybe able to get some of her treatment and meds there......Check it out......the least they can say is No....