Pharmacy

**ACTIVATE NEW PRESCRIPTIONS SO THEY ARE READY WHEN YOU ARRIVE**

 Click the Activate RX link below to access our new secure Q-Anywhere Web portal. You can let us know that your prescriber has sent new or renewed prescriptions for us to fill and receive a notification when they are ready for pickup.

Activate RX
 
*Note: Your DOD ID number is a 10-digit number on your Uniformed Services ID Card.  It may be on the front or the back of the card depending upon your status and the type of card.

**ONLINE PRESCRIPTION REFILLS ARE BACK** 

See the Refill section below for complete info, including a link to the MHS GENESIS Rx Refill Portal.

Pharmacy Eligibility and Registration

All TRICARE beneficiaries who are not enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan are eligible to use this pharmacy. Patients may be required to visit Outpatient Records to have an MHS GENESIS Lifetime Pharmacy Encounter and/or MHS GENESIS profile built. Pharmacy will advise if your record needs to be updated. 

Identification Requirements

DOD has mandated that you must present your current, valid DOD ID card when you pick up your prescriptions. If you are picking up medications for someone else (other than a dependent child under age10) you must have their ID card, or a copy (both front and back of the card). The copy may be a digital image or paper copy and is authorized to facilitate DOD benefits by BUPERS INSTRUCTION 1750.10D. Pharmacy staff will ask the patient’s full name and date of birth to comply with command and Defense Health Agency patient identification requirements to ensure patient safety. 

Patient Safety Information

Please let a pharmacy staff member know if you have drug allergies at your first visit and any new allergies since your last visit. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please let a staff member know so that we can identify any concerns with your medication.  Always notify any health care providers that you visit as well. If your child under the age of 12 years is receiving a prescription, please let us know the patient’s weight.  Many medications are dosed based upon weight and we always double check the dosing of these medications for your child’s safety. 

Drug Information via QR Code

All pharmacy labels include a QR code in the lower right corner. When scanned with a smartphone camera, the patient is taken directly to a website with resources related to their medication provided by the DHA. Resources include drug information (both written and video/audio), medication refill reminders, relevant medication guides, helpful medical information related to the drug and the condition being treated, and the ability to e-mail the information to a recipient such as a family member. Current DHA pharmacy software relies upon electronic drug information available through this service and does not routinely print paper drug information; however, printed drug information is available upon request. Make sure to let a staff member know if you need printed information and be aware that this could take several minutes.

MedsOnCue Information Sheet

Third Party Medical and Prescription Insurance

All patients (except active duty service members) must visit the clinic’s outpatient records desk located at the end of the corridor past pharmacy annually to sign a DD Form 2569 and provide information about any insurance plans other than TRICARE/VA/Medicare. This includes medical and prescription insurance. While this won’t cost you anything, and may help meet deductibles sooner, federal law requires that any other insurance must be billed prior to TRICARE. This requirement is quick and painless, generally taking only a minute or two. It is required by order of the commanding officer and is directed by DODI 6015.23, DHA-PM 6015.01, and NHCNE-PI 6015.01.

How to Receive Prescriptions from the Pharmacy 

•    Pharmacy Kiosk

The pharmacy uses queuing software to efficiently manage patient and prescription flow. When visiting the pharmacy, please take a ticket at one of our ticket kiosks located in the lobby. The kiosk will ask you to scan your ID card. This allows our queuing system to tie your name, DOD ID, and phone number to your ticket for your visit. Scan the barcode on the back of your ID card with the green laser light. Note that although the screen indicates success with barcode scanning, there is no audible signal. Choose your status—Active Duty or All Others—and what brings you to the pharmacy today. These questions help us identify your needs better. Finally, the kiosk gives you the option to opt in to texts from the pharmacy during your visit which allows us to notify you when your prescriptions are ready for pickup. Then, all you need to do is wait for your ticket number to be called to the window.  If there are multiple members in your party, you only need to take one ticket—not one for each patient. Initial wait times are typically less than 5 minutes. 

•    New or Renewal Prescriptions

Your prescriber can submit your prescriptions to the pharmacy through electronic prescribing (eRx), fax, or by giving you a paper prescription. Each option is described below. Bear in mind that prescription renewals are new prescriptions and are not refills. A renewed prescription is for the same drug, but information such as the directions, refills, prescription number, etc. may change. The pharmacy must process renewed or new prescriptions differently from refills, using different computer systems. 

•    Electronic Prescriptions (eRx)

ERx is the safest and most convenient prescribing method. Your prescriber should send your eRx to DOD GROTON PHARMACY. The prescriptions are routed securely to a holding queue where they can be quickly retrieved by pharmacy staff upon patient notification or remain there for up to a year. Controlled medications are e-prescribed as well, and in most cases, this is required by state law. ERx also gives you the option to activate your new prescription through Q-Anywhere before you come to the pharmacy so it’s ready when you arrive, saving you time. Encourage your prescriber to e-prescribe all your medications to improve your patient safety and make your visit quicker and more efficient by taking advantage of activation ahead of time through Q-Anywhere.

E-Prescribing Information Sheet

•    Q-Anywhere

When you need to fill your new or renewed eRx’s, including those prescribed by a prescriber at this clinic, you can let the pharmacy know through Q-Anywhere. You can either click the “ACTIVATE RX” button at the top of this page or this link--https://cxmlink.com/MTF11161—or text the words: get in line to 1-833-296-5776 and follow the link to our web activation. You may use the text box in the portal to let us know exactly what you need, or pharmacy staff will process any eRx’s from the past 7 days and will contact you with any questions.  You will receive a notification when your prescriptions are ready for pickup. Prescriptions will typically be ready within 2 hours, but by 11am the following business day depending upon time of day or workload. Activating your eRx’s in advance shortens your pharmacy visit by over 75%; when you come to the pharmacy you will generally be in and out within 5 minutes on average. Activated prescriptions must be picked up within 10 days of request. All you need is the patient’s DOD ID. Ask a pharmacy staff member for more information. If you need a refill of an existing prescription, see the Refill Prescriptions section below instead.

Q-Anywhere Information Sheet

•    Internal Clinic Prescriptions

Prescriptions from a NMRTCNE prescriber are e-prescribed directly into our system and can generally be processed quickly right after your appointment. If you need to come back later or another day, you can also use Q-Anywhere. 

•    Faxed Prescriptions

Prescriptions may be faxed to 401-841-2904. In the rare event that our main fax line is unavailable, our backup number is 860-694-2367. Please note that faxed prescriptions are not processed when received. Encourage your prescriber to e-prescribe all your prescriptions instead of faxing to enhance your patient safety and improve the efficiency of receiving your prescription. You may use Q-Anywhere to pre-activate your faxed prescriptions as well. 

•    Paper Prescriptions

Paper prescriptions are accepted by the pharmacy; however, carry a higher risk of misinterpretation or missing information—especially when handwritten. To improve your patient safety and efficiency, ask your prescriber to e-prescribe your prescriptions instead whenever possible. 

•    Refill Prescriptions

Your prescription label will indicate if you have refills remaining within the prescription’s expiration date. The prescription must have remaining refills and the date must be prior to the prescription expiration date to be processed by the pharmacy.  Prescriptions for non-controlled medications may be refilled when 75% of the medication is used according to the directions (down to the minute). This equates to 23 days after receiving the last 30-day supply or 68 days after receiving the last 90-day supply. TRICARE does not allow the pharmacy to process refills earlier than this, with very few exceptions. You must request your refills online through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal (information below), or automated telephone refill system by calling 877-211-1126 (have the prescription number and patient’s date of birth ready). Bear in mind that some medications have a quantity limit within a 90-day period so your authorized refill date could be later than expected. For example, sildenafil has a quantity limit of 30 tablets within 90 days and TRICARE will not let you refill this at the 75% mark. Refills are ready within 3 business days. Refills must be picked up within 10 days. Requesting your refills through one of the refill options shortens your pharmacy visit by at least 75%; you’ll generally be in and out within 5 minutes on average.
 
Online Refill Portal Information Sheet

•    Transfer Prescriptions

Prescriptions filled at other pharmacies can generally be transferred to this pharmacy. Because transfers rely on our pharmacy receiving prescription information from another pharmacy, often by fax, transfer prescriptions may not be available until the following business day.  Our pharmacy can also transfer your prescription a civilian pharmacy. State laws and external facility policy may apply. Because all military pharmacies use the same worldwide electronic healthcare record, prescriptions do not need to be transferred between military pharmacies. Simply request your refill using the new military pharmacy’s refill system (select their pharmacy in web refills or search the web for their site webpage to find their refill phone line).

Additional Pharmacy Services 

•    Drug Take Back

The pharmacy offers DEA-compliant Drug Take Back. If you have expired or unneeded medications, please drop them off in our blue takeback box outside the pharmacy. The contents of the drug takeback box go directly from the clinic to a disposal facility for incineration; however, we still recommend removing the labels from your prescriptions to protect patient privacy. Additionally, please note that syringes or medications with needles attached should not be disposed of in the takeback box. Liquid medications should be sealed in a leak-proof bag prior to placing in the takeback box. Getting expired or unneeded medications out of your home has a variety of benefits including preventing antimicrobial resistance, preventing accidental childhood poisoning and overdose, preventing popping positive on military urinalysis, etc. Please do not place illegal or Schedule I drugs, such as heroin or marijuana, in the takeback box; it’s intended for legal medications only. 

•    Emergency Contraception

The pharmacy offers emergency contraception on a walk-up basis without a prescription. Plan B (eq.) is available for all eligible beneficiaries. Plan B may be requested by one beneficiary on behalf of another (female) beneficiary; however, the ID card of the beneficiary who will be taking the Plan B must be presented for patient identification and eligibility verification. 

•    Naloxone

Pharmacists screen all opioid analgesic prescriptions through a DHA screening tool to ensure compliance with clinical best practices. A pharmacy staff member may prescribe a free naloxone nasal spray kit with your opioid analgesic prescription if you have certain risk factors. We strongly encourage you to have naloxone available to reverse dangerous and potentially life-threatening respiratory side effects from opioids when using higher doses, using with benzodiazepines, and when using chronically. Naloxone can save your life, or the lives of family members and children who accidentally use your opioid prescription. Think of it as an antidote, like an Epi-pen for allergic reactions or a glucagon kit for low blood sugar. 

•    Nicotine Replacement Therapy

If you’re interested in quitting tobacco use, our pharmacists can provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)—patches and gum—to help you quit. NRT can be a helpful tool if you are not ready for prescription medication. The clinic’s wellness department offers follow-up as well.  By law, nicotine replacement services cannot be offered to patients who are eligible for Medicare by military pharmacies. 

Additional TRICARE Pharmacy Service Options 

•    TRICARE Home Delivery

TRICARE Home Delivery is part of your TRICARE Pharmacy benefit and is a great option to receive your prescriptions delivered directly to your home at little to no cost. Active duty service members pay no copays, and other beneficiaries save up to 71% compared to retail pharmacy by using Home Delivery. This is a great option if you don’t live close to a military pharmacy or prefer not to travel to the pharmacy. Home Delivery has a wider formulary and can fill up to a 90-day supply of most medications.  Visit https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/home-delivery for more information about TRICARE Home Delivery. Existing prescriptions can be transferred to TRICARE Home Delivery, or your prescriber can electronically prescribe directly to TRICARE Home Delivery. Patients cannot use Home Delivery if they have private prescription insurance. 

•    Retail Pharmacy

While pharmacy copays at TRICARE network retail pharmacies are typically three times higher than TRICARE Home Delivery, this can be a useful option in specific circumstances. If a medication is unavailable at our pharmacy and is needed urgently, network retail pharmacies are a quick and convenient alternative. You can even transfer the prescription to TRICARE Home Delivery after the first fill to optimize your experience. TRICARE limits the number of fills that can be obtained from a retail pharmacy for many medications so transferring to TRICARE Home Delivery after the first fill can save you money and time.

Additional Information 

ICE—Interactive Customer Evaluation

The pharmacy appreciates customer feedback and comments regarding your visit. If you use Q-Anywhere or your phone number is attached to your ticket number from the kiosk, you will receive a text message from us with a link directly to our ICE survey. You can also access it directly at https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=card&sp=89739&s=1167. Filling out an ICE survey is very quick—less than a minute to answer 9 questions, or even a few seconds to simply note whether you were satisfied with your pharmacy visit. If you have suggestions or feedback, you can free text those in as well. Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction. 

Pharmacy / Clinic Closures

Planned closures for the pharmacy include all weekends and federal holidays. There are occasional unplanned closures—some with little to no notice—which include presidential holiday declarations (ex. day after Thanksgiving holiday) or weather closures. While the pharmacy cannot always give advance notice, you can follow the Naval Submarine Base New London and Naval Health Clinic New England Facebook pages and check for updates. If SUBBASE and/or the Groton clinic are closed, the pharmacy will also be closed. 

Formulary and Quantity Limits

The DOD Groton Pharmacy follows the TRICARE Uniform Formulary, though there may be cases where a Uniform Formulary medication cannot be provided by the pharmacy due to availability. The TRICARE Home Delivery Pharmacy and TRICARE Retail Network pharmacies also follow the Uniform Formulary.  The pharmacy dispenses authorized generic versions of brand medications when available.  The pharmacy generally cannot provide medications in the nonformulary tier and is forbidden from providing medications in the not covered tier.

You can view this formulary, including prior authorization requirements and quantity limits (when applicable) by visiting the Formulary Search Tool,  www.esrx.com/tform.
As noted, some medications require prior authorization. To receive a medication requiring prior authorization, your prescriber must submit required information to TRICARE/Express Scripts (ideally through an electronic ePA system, secondarily by calling Express Scripts) and Express Scripts must approve the prior authorization. Most—but not all—prior authorizations are only required once. A pharmacy cannot process a prescription for one of these drugs unless a prior authorization has been approved. Often, prior authorization criteria require the use of other medications first-line. In these cases, the most effective option is for the healthcare provider to prescribe one of the first-line options instead. 

Prior Authorization

Like most commercial insurance plans, TRICARE uses prior authorization (PA) as a tool to ensure that pharmacy benefits are administered as designed by the DoD Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and that beneficiaries receive medications safely and effectively in a manner that provides the greatest value. Prior authorization may consist of an automated review of your TRICARE prescription claims history or a questionnaire completed by your prescriber’s office online or over the phone. Prior authorization criteria may include age, sex, diagnosis, lab values, prescriber specialty, other medications prescribed, or other clinical criteria. If prior authorization is not submitted or approved, the prescription is not covered by TRICARE and cannot be filled by a military pharmacy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
Why did the call-in refill line accept my refill request if it’s too early?

• The refill system can only identify that 75% of the prescription number you call in has or has not been used.  If you’ve filled a prescription for the drug somewhere else or have filled another prescription number for the same drug at our pharmacy, we don’t find out about the rejection until our system submits them to TRICARE and determines that the fill is too early. 

 
My prescription can’t be filled because it requires prior authorization; what do I do now?

• Let your prescriber know.  Most prescribers will use an online e-prior authorization (ePA) portal such as SureScripts or Cover My Meds to submit PA to insurers, though calling the TRICARE PA office is also an option if the prescriber does not use these services.  Typically, the PA will be approved or denied in near real time and the prescriber will be notified.  If the PA is approved, let the pharmacy know and we can re-submit your prescription.  If the PA is denied, your prescriber may prescribe a similar medication that is covered.  You or your prescriber can view PA criteria and phone number for TRICARE PA by using the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool (link below).

 
My prescriber called in my prescription.  Why isn’t it ready automatically when I come to the pharmacy?

• The short answer is that the patient must notify the pharmacy that they have a new prescription that they need filled, ideally by using the Q-Anywhere service described above, and it will then be ready when you come to the pharmacy.  Prescribers do not call prescriptions into the pharmacy; they are generally e-prescribed into an electronic queue with no notification to the pharmacy.  Faxed prescriptions are filed until the patient needs them filled.  The pharmacy typically has around 5000 prescriptions in our e-prescription queue and fax file that are never activated or filled by patients.  Purchasing, adjudicating, filling, checking, and then returning to stock this many prescriptions would take a great deal of unnecessary time, money, and effort that is better spent filling needed prescriptions.  Conversely, using Q-Anywhere is very quick and convenient for patients and the pharmacy.  Retail pharmacies often fill prescriptions without patient request; however, they have different software and operations available that enable them to bill insurance companies immediately and easily reverse prescriptions that are never picked up.

 
My prescriber said they sent a prescription, but the pharmacy didn’t get it.  Why is that?

• The short answer is that the pharmacy has no way to know.  When prescribers e-prescribe correctly, the prescription should show up right away in the pharmacy system.  There are some past issues that we are aware of though:

  • In many cases the prescriber has sent the prescription to a different pharmacy:  CVS, Walgreens, Electric Boat, etc.  This is the most common reason this pharmacy has not received prescriptions.  Make sure your prescriber is sending your e-prescriptions to DOD GROTON PHARMACY.  This should be a very simple process, but some offices mix us up with Electric Boat and others will default your preferred pharmacy to whatever pharmacy you used last or not update it to this pharmacy.  The prescriber or patient will need to cancel any prescription or fill at the incorrect pharmacy or TRICARE will not allow your prescription to be filled at this pharmacy.  The prescriber will need to send a new prescription to DOD GROTON PHARMACY.

  • The office may not be using an accurate electronic pharmacy name.  Prior to 2023, the pharmacy’s electronic address was DOD GROTON EPHCY.  Make sure that pharmacy has been removed from your preferred pharmacy list with your prescriber and DOD GROTON PHARMACY is preferred.

  • Some office workflows may involve one staff member such as a medical assistant entering the prescription but require the provider’s electronic signature for the prescription to be sent.  Possibly a step in the office’s workflow has not been completed.  Similarly, some offices may have a multi-day turnaround time before the prescription request can be processed due to workload.

  • There have been cases where the e-prescription was cancelled by another user in your providers healthcare system after it was entered.  This removes it from our electronic queue with no trace it ever existed.  This can be done intentionally or by mistake.  It can also be done as part of a medication reconciliation process—especially if the patient has been admitted to the hospital after the e-prescription was entered.

  • If the office does not have electronic prescribing capability and is still faxing, they may be using the incorrect fax number.  Alternatively, if the computer network is down at Naval Station Newport, where our primary fax number is based, the fax may not be received—though the prescriber should be notified of unsuccessful transmission.  If the phone lines at SUBASE are down, our secondary fax will not receive the prescription—though the prescriber should be notified of unsuccessful transmission.

  • If your prescriber faxes prescriptions, we highly recommend switching to e-prescribing as it is safer and more reliable.

  • If your prescriber e-prescribes correctly to DOD GROTON PHARMACY and the pharmacy is still not receiving the prescription, we recommend faxing FOR THIS INSTANCE ONLY.  It’s possible there has been a downtime or outage with the Surescripts e-prescribing service; however, this would be extremely rare, and e-prescribing is still more safe and reliable than faxing overall.

  • Whatever the cause, the pharmacy must receive a prescription in order to dispense a medication.

 
If you have other questions that cannot be answered by the information on our website, please feel free to contact the pharmacy directly. 

Useful Links 

TRICARE Pharmacy Homepage: www.tricare.mil/pharmacy
This website has comprehensive information about your TRICARE Pharmacy benefit along with useful links.   
 
TRICARE Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy: www.militaryrx.express-scripts.com
This website has information about your TRICARE Home Delivery benefit.  You can register for service, manage your medications and refills, download the TRICARE Home Delivery app, and more.

TRICARE Formulary Search Tool: www.esrx.com/tform
This website allows you to view TRICARE medication information including formulary status quantity limits, copays, drug information, pill images, and more.  If a medication has prior authorization requirements, you can view and download the forms.  If a medication is not on TRICARE’s formulary, medical necessity forms—which are a requirement for active-duty patients—can be viewed and downloaded.  
 

Pharmacy   

NMRTC NE-NEWPORT 401-841-2224

 MHS GENESIS Patient Portal

Pharmacy Eligibility and Registration

All TRICARE beneficiaries who are not enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan are eligible to use this pharmacy. Patients may be required to visit Outpatient Records to have an MHS GENESIS Lifetime Pharmacy Encounter and/or MHS GENESIS profile built.  Pharmacy will advise if your record needs to be updated. 

Identification Requirements

DoD has mandated that you MUST present your current, valid DoD ID card when you pick up your prescriptions. If you are picking up medications for someone else (other than a dependent child under 18) you must have their ID card, or a copy (both front and back of the card). This may be a digital image or paper copy and is authorized to facilitate DoD benefits by BUPERS INSTRUCTION 1750.10D. Pharmacy staff will ask the patient’s full name and date of birth to comply with Command and Defense Health Agency patient identification requirements to ensure patient safety.

 Patient Safety Information

Please let a pharmacy staff member know if you have drug allergies at your first visit and any new allergies since your last visit.  If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please let a staff member know so that we can identify any concerns with your medication.  Always notify any healthcare providers that you visit as well. If your child under the age of 12 years is receiving a prescription, please let us know the patient’s weight. Many medications are dosed based upon weight and we always double check the dosing of these medications for your child’s safety. 

 Third Party Medical and Prescription Insurance

If you have private insurance other than TRICARE, you must provide this information to the clinic’s central check-in desk annually.  This includes medical and prescription insurance.  While this won’t cost you anything, and may help meet deductibles sooner, federal law requires that any other insurance must be billed prior to TRICARE.

How to Receive Prescriptions from the Pharmacy

Please note that all prescriptions need to be activated ahead of time. Prescriptions take 2 business days to prepare unless they are emergency pain medications, antibiotics or you were seen in the clinic today.

•    Pharmacy Kiosk

The pharmacy uses queuing software to manage patient prescription flow. When visiting the pharmacy, please take a ticket at our ticket kiosk located to the right of the clinic entrance.  The kiosk will ask you to scan your ID card.  This allows our queuing system to tie your name, DOD ID, and phone number to your ticket for your visit. Scan the barcode on the back of your ID card. Note that although the screen indicates success with barcode scanning, there is no audible signal. Choose your status - Active Duty or All Others -and what brings you to the pharmacy today. These questions help us identify your needs better. Finally, the kiosk gives you the option to opt into texts from the pharmacy during your visit. Then, all you need to do is wait for your ticket number to be called to the window.  If there are multiple members in your party, you only need to take one ticket, not one for each patient.  Initial wait times are typically quick.

•    New or Renewal Prescriptions

Your prescriber can submit your prescriptions to the pharmacy through electronic prescribing (eRx), fax, or by giving you a paper prescription. Each option is described below. Bear in mind that prescription renewals are new prescriptions and are not refills. A renewed prescription is for the same drug, but information such as the directions, refills, prescription number, etc. may change.  The pharmacy must process renewed or new prescriptions differently from refills, using different computer systems.

•    Electronic Prescriptions (eRx)  

**Please call 401-841-2224 to activate your prescription** 
eRx is the safest and most convenient prescribing method. Your prescriber can send your eRx to DOD NEWPORT PHARMACY. The prescriptions are routed securely to a holding queue where they can be retrieved by pharmacy staff upon patient notification. Controlled medications can now be e-prescribed as well, and in most cases, this is required by state law.  eRx also gives you the option to activate your new prescription through Q-Anywhere before you come to the pharmacy so it’s ready when you arrive, saving you time.  Encourage your prescriber to e-prescribe all your medications to improve your patient safety and make your visit quicker and more efficient by taking advantage of activation ahead of time through Q-Anywhere. (See instructions below)

E-Prescribing Information Sheet

 •    Q-Anywhere

When you need to fill your eRx’s, including those prescribed by a prescriber at this clinic, you can let the pharmacy know through Q-Anywhere.  Simply text the words: get in line to 1-833-296-5776 and follow the texted instructions and notifications.  Pharmacy staff will process any eRx’s from the past 7 days and will contact you with any questions.  You will receive text notifications and directions when your prescriptions are ready for pickup. Prescriptions will typically be ready within 3 business days depending upon time of day or workload. Activating your eRx’s in advance shortens your pharmacy visit by over 75%. Activated prescriptions must be picked up within 10 days of request.  All you need is the patient’s DOD ID. Ask a pharmacy staff member for more information.

Q-Anywhere Information Sheet

 •    Internal Clinic Prescriptions

Prescriptions from a NMRTCNE prescriber are e-prescribed directly into our system and can generally be processed quickly right after your appointment.  If you need to come back another day, you can also use Q-Anywhere. If you would like to wait for your prescription, please proceed to the pharmacy kiosk.

•    Fax Prescriptions

Prescriptions may be faxed to 1-401-841-4485. Please note that faxed prescriptions are not processed when received. You will need to call us at (401) 841-2224 to activate your prescription. Encourage your prescriber to e-prescribe all your prescriptions instead of faxing to enhance your patient safety and improve the efficiency of receiving your prescription.

•    Paper Prescriptions

Paper prescriptions are accepted by the pharmacy; however, they carry a higher risk of misinterpretation, especially when handwritten.  To improve your patient safety and efficiency, ask your prescriber to e-prescribe your prescriptions.

•    Refill Prescriptions

You can see if your prescription has refills by looking at the label.  The prescription must have remaining refills and the date must be prior to the prescription expiration date in order to be processed by the pharmacy.  Prescriptions for non-controlled medications may be refilled when 75% of the medication is used according to the directions (down to the minute).  This equates to 3 weeks after receiving the last 30-day supply or 9 weeks after receiving the last 90-day supply.  Prescriptions for controlled medication may be refilled when 90% of the medication is used according to the directions.  This equates to 3 days after receiving the last 30-day supply or 9 days after receiving the last 90-day supply.  We strongly encourage you to request your refills in advance through our automated refill system by calling 1-877-211-1126 and having the prescription number and patient’s DOD number available.  The pharmacy cannot process early refills any longer so using the call-in refill system could save you an unnecessary trip to the pharmacy.  If you request a refill too early, the automated system will tell you when to call it in.  Bear in mind that some medications have a quantity limit within a 90-day time period so your authorized refill date could be later than expected.  For example, sildenafil has a quantity limit of 30 tablets within 90 days and TRICARE will not let you refill this three weeks early.  Refills are ready within 3 business days.  Refills must be picked up within 10 days.  Requesting your refills ahead of time shortens your pharmacy visit by at least 75%. Refills cannot be initiated through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal at this time.

•    Transfer Prescriptions

Prescriptions filled at other pharmacies can generally be transferred to this pharmacy.  Because transfers rely on our pharmacy receiving prescription information from another pharmacy, often by fax, transfer prescriptions may not be available until the following business day.  Our pharmacy can also transfer your prescription to another military or civilian pharmacy.  State laws and external facility policy may apply.

Additional TRICARE Pharmacy Service Options

•    TRICARE Home Delivery

TRICARE Home Delivery is part of your TRICARE Pharmacy benefit and is a great option to receive your prescriptions delivered directly to your home at little to no cost.  Active-duty service members pay no copays, and other beneficiaries save at least 67% compared to retail pharmacy by using Home Delivery.  This is a great option if you don’t live close to a military pharmacy or prefer not to visit the pharmacy.  Home Delivery has a wider formulary and can fill up to a 90-day supply of most medications.  Visit https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/home-delivery for more information about TRICARE Home Delivery.  Existing prescriptions can be transferred to TRICARE Home Delivery, or your prescriber can electronically prescribe directly to TRICARE Home Delivery.  Patients cannot use Home Delivery if they have private prescription insurance.

•    Retail Pharmacy

While pharmacy copays at TRICARE network retail pharmacies are typically three times higher than TRICARE Home Delivery, this can be a useful option in some circumstances.  If a medication is unavailable at our pharmacy and is needed urgently, network retail pharmacies are a quick and convenient alternative.  You can even transfer the prescription to TRICARE Home Delivery after the first fill to optimize your experience.  TRICARE limits the number of fills that can be obtained from a retail pharmacy for many medications so transferring to TRICARE Home Delivery can save you money and time.

Additional Pharmacy Services

•    Drug Take Back

The pharmacy offers DEA-compliant Drug Take Back.  If you have expired or unneeded medications, please drop them off in our blue takeback box outside the pharmacy.  The contents of the drug takeback box go directly from the clinic to a disposal facility for incineration; however, we still recommend removing the labels from your prescriptions to protect patient privacy.  Additionally, please note that syringes or medications with needles attached should not be disposed of in the takeback box.  Liquid medications should be sealed in a leak-proof bag prior to placing in the takeback box.  Getting expired or unneeded medications out of your home has a variety of benefits.  This will prevent antimicrobial resistance, prevents accidental childhood poisoning and overdose, prevents popping positive on military urinalysis and ruining your career, etc. 

 •    Emergency Contraception

The pharmacy offers emergency contraception on a walk-up basis without a prescription.  Plan B (eq.) is available for all eligible beneficiaries.

•    MedsOnCue

All pharmacy labels include a QR code in the lower right corner.  When scanned, the patient is taken directly to resources related to their medication provided by VUCA Health.  Resources include drug information (both written and video/audio), medication refill reminders, relevant medication guides, helpful medical information related to the drug and the condition being treated, and the ability to e-mail the information to a recipient such as a family member.  
MedsOnCue Information Sheet

 •    Naloxone

Pharmacists screen all opioid analgesic prescriptions through a DHA screening tool to ensure compliance with clinical best practices.  A pharmacy staff member may prescribe patients a free naloxone nasal spray kit with your opioid analgesic prescription.  We strongly encourage you to have naloxone available to reverse dangerous and potentially life-threatening respiratory side effects from opioids, especially when using higher doses, using with benzodiazepines, and when using chronically.  Naloxone can save your life, or the lives of family members and children who accidentally use your opioid prescription.  Think of it as an antidote, like an Epi-pen for allergic reactions or a glucagon kit for low blood sugar.

•    Nicotine Replacement Therapy

If you’re interested in beating tobacco use, our pharmacists can provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)—patches and gum—to help you quit.  NRT can be a helpful tool if you are not ready for prescription medication.  The clinic’s wellness department offers follow-up as well.  By law, nicotine replacement services cannot be offered to patients who are covered by Medicare.

ICE—Interactive Customer Evaluation

The pharmacy appreciates customer feedback and comments regarding your visit.  If you use Q-Anywhere or your phone number is attached to your ticket number from the kiosk, you will receive a text message from us with a link directly to our ICE survey.  You can also access it directly at https://ice.disa.mil/index.cfm?fa=site&site_id=1170.  Filling out an ICE survey is very quick.  Less than a minute to answer 9 questions, or even a few seconds to simply note whether you were satisfied with your pharmacy visit.  If you have suggestions or feedback, you can free text those in as well.  Our goal is 100% customer satisfaction.

Pharmacy / Clinic Closures

Planned closures for the pharmacy include all Weekends and Federal Holidays.  There are occasional unplanned closures, some with little to no notice.  They can include Presidential holiday declarations (ex. day after Thanksgiving holiday) or weather closures.  While the pharmacy cannot always give advance notice, you can follow the Naval Health Clinic New England Facebook pages and check for updates.  If Naval Station Newport is closed, the pharmacy will also be closed.

Formulary and Quantity Limits

NMRTC NE Pharmacy follows the TRICARE Uniform Formulary, though there may be infrequent cases where a Uniform Formulary medication cannot be provided by the pharmacy.  The TRICARE Home Delivery Pharmacy and TRICARE Retail Network pharmacies also follow the Uniform Formulary.  The pharmacy dispenses authorized generic versions of brand medications when available.  The pharmacy generally cannot provide medications in a Tier 3 (nonformulary) status and is forbidden from providing medications in Tier 4 (not covered).
 
You can view this formulary, including prior authorization requirements and quantity limits (when applicable) by clicking the link for the Formulary Search Tool: http://www.express-scripts.com/tform.
 
As noted, some medications require prior authorization.  To receive a medication requiring prior authorization, your prescriber must submit required information to TRICARE/Express Scripts (ideally through an electronic ePA system, secondarily by calling Express Scripts) and Express Scripts must approve the prior authorization.  Most, but not all prior authorizations are only required once.  A pharmacy cannot process a prescription for one of these drugs unless a prior authorization has been approved.

 Useful Links 
 

TRICARE Pharmacy Homepage:  https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy
This website has comprehensive information about your TRICARE Pharmacy benefit along with useful links.   

TRICARE Express Scripts Home Delivery Pharmacy:  https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/
This website has information about your TRICARE Home Delivery benefit.  You can register for service, manage your medications and refills, download the TRICARE Home Delivery app, and more.

TRICARE Formulary Search Tool:  http://www.express-scripts.com/tform
This website allows you to view TRICARE medication information including formulary status quantity limits, copays, drug information, pill images, and more.  If a medication has prior authorization requirements, you can view and download the forms.  If a medication is not on TRICARE’s formulary, medical necessity forms, which are an additional requirement for active-duty patients, can be viewed and downloaded.

Pharmacy
 

Hours for NBHC Portsmouth (Kittery) Pharmacy

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CLOSED DAILY 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch
Closed weekends and all federal holidays

Pharmacy Eligibility and Registration

All TRICARE beneficiaries who are not enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan are eligible to use this pharmacy.

Identification Requirements

DoD has mandated that you MUST present your current, valid DoD ID card when you pick up your prescriptions. If you are picking up medications for someone else (other than a dependent child under age10) you must have their ID card, or a copy (both front and back of the card). The copy may be a digital image or paper copy and is authorized to facilitate DoD benefits by BUPERS INSTRUCTION 1750.10D. Pharmacy staff will ask the patient’s full name and date of birth to comply with command and Defense Health Agency (DHA) patient identification requirements to ensure patient safety.

NBHC Portsmouth (Kittery) Pharmacy Prescription Filling

Refills

Call 877-211-1126 and follow the prompts, you will need the prescription number (on the label) and the birthdate of the patient. Online refills are now available via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal on the RX REFILLS Tab. Please allow 72 business hours for all refill processing.

New or Renewal Prescriptions (must be activated)

•   All prescriptions from off-base providers should be submitted electronically by your provider’s office to: DOD PORTSMOUTH KITTERY PHARMACY (use 03904 zip code when searching).

Activating a New or Renewal Prescription

•   Call 877-211-1126, follow prompts for Portsmouth then select option (4) to transfer to the pharmacy during normal duty hours. If voicemail picks up, speak slow and clear and leave the following information:

• Patient Name
• Patient Date of Birth
• Medication(s) that need filled.
• Call back phone number including area code.

*** Pharmacy staff will return a call ONLY if we have questions ***

Prescriptions can also be activated during business hours via Q-Anywhere by texting Get in Line to 833-296-5776 or by scanning QR Code

  ** Prescriptions remain available for pick up for 10 days after processing **

Other Options for Receiving Prescriptions

Pharmacy Home Delivery

Skip the trip, with medications delivered to your home.  Includes refills by mail, phone, or online; and an automatic-refill option. No copayments for active duty service members. For other patients, the copayment is for a 90-day supply and varies depending on medication. To change your prescription to Home Delivery, visit Express Scripts, or download the Express Scripts app, or call 877-363-1303.

TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Network

This option provides up to a 30-day supply, with a co-pay for each 30-day supply (active duty service members have no copayment). To find out more, contact Express Scripts at 877-363-1303 or www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE.

Pharmacy

How do I fill a prescription?

You have four convenient ways to fill your prescription with NHCNE:

• TELEPHONE: To request a refill, please call 877-211-1126.
• IN PERSON: Please bring your original prescription to any of our pharmacies.
• https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/: The TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) Program. You can mail in your prescriptions and receive up to a 90 day supply for most medications that you take regularly .

Prescription Refills - To obtain refills patients should utilize the Pharmacy's Call-In Refill System at 877-211-1126. This number is also printed at the top of all prescription labels. A prescription called in using this system will be ready to be picked up after three to five business days. When refilling a prescription patients should bring their medication bottles and Military ID cards to the Clinic with them. Refills cannot be initiated through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal at this time.

HIPAA Identification Requirements - DOD has mandated that in order to be fully compliant with HIPAA regulations you MUST present your current, valid DoD ID card when you pick up your prescriptions.

If you are picking up medications for someone else (other than a dependent child under 18) you must have their ID card, or a photocopy (both front and back of the card) AND a signed statement from the patient authorizing you to receive their medications. If you do not have the appropriate identification we can not release the prescriptions.

Please download the from below to allow for the authorization to pick up prescriptions by a third party. If you choose to use this form please ensure it is brought to the pharmacy along with a copy of the front and back of the ID card. Thank you for your cooperation.

Authorization to pick up medication form
Download file as Microsoft Word *.doc file	Download file as Adobe Acrobat *.pdf file

Transfer Prescriptions: For refills on medications received from other military facilities, please bring the prescription bottles and the refill will be ready for pickup the next business day.