FALLS CHURCH, Va.  –   Do you get your prescriptions filled at a military pharmacy? If so, make sure you look into Remote Pharmacy Check-In using Q-Anywhere. It’s a new text messaging service used at a select group of military pharmacies that lets you manage your prescriptions. With Remote Pharmacy Check-In, you can save time by activating your prescription with a simple text from your phone. It’s the latest TRICARE pharmacy tool offered to make filling your prescriptions easier.
 
“Remote Pharmacy Check-In helps reduce the number of people waiting in line at the pharmacy or over the phone,” said Col. Markus Gmehlin, acting chief of the Pharmacy Operations Division at the Defense Health Agency. “This allows our service members and their families to focus on other tasks they may have during the day. It also gives pharmacy staff the social distance they need to safely provide care.”       
 
How does Remote Pharmacy Check-In work?
When your provider writes you a prescription and sends it to your military pharmacy, you’ll need to activate it. The process is quick and easy. To get started, all you need to do is scan the QR code your participating military pharmacy uses. Or you can text “Get in line” to your military pharmacy’s phone number and follow the steps you receive in the text message. You’ll be required to enter your Department of Defense Identification Number listed on the front of your military ID card. Once you do this, the system will activate any new prescriptions you have.
 
The next step is just keeping an eye on your phone. You’ll receive a text message with instructions once your medication is ready for pickup. Keep in mind, Remote Pharmacy Check-In doesn’t refill prescriptions. It only activates new ones. How soon your prescription becomes available depends on the type of medication you need. The TRICARE Formulary Search Tool can help you learn more about prescription drug types.
 
Is Remote Pharmacy Check-In available at my local military pharmacy?
It depends on where you live. Because this service is part of a pharmacy pilot, it’s only available at certain military pharmacies right now. But the good news is more military pharmacies could begin offering this option soon. The goal is for it to be available at 150 locations before the end of the pilot. When the pilot ends is still being determined. But the final phase is expected to begin in May of this year. Check with your military pharmacy to see if they’re using it.
 
Some of the sites currently using Remote Pharmacy Check-In include:

• Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
• 88th Medical Group, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
• 75th Medical Group, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
• 56th Medical Group, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
• Naval Hospital Bremerton, Bremerton, Washington

 
Does it matter what time I use Remote Pharmacy Check-In?
Yes. You can only use it to activate your prescriptions during duty hours. Your military pharmacy must be open for your request to be processed. If you use Remote Pharmacy Check-In outside of duty hours, your information won’t be retained and your prescription won’t be activated. Visit Find a Military Hospital or Clinic to view the hours of your military pharmacy.
 
Not using a military pharmacy? You can also get your prescriptions at a retail network pharmacy or have them delivered to your home with TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. Make sure you check out the TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet for information about pharmacy costs. And if you have questions about your pharmacy options, the TRICARE Pharmacy Program Overview can help.
 
Remember, Remote Pharmacy Check-In isn’t available for refilling prescriptions. If you need a refill on your current prescription, call your military pharmacy’s automated refill line or request a refill with the patient portal your military pharmacy uses. This may be either the TOL Patient Portal or MHS Genesis.
 
If you’re interested in using Remote Pharmacy Check-In, ask your military pharmacy if it’s available. Take command of your health, and explore all of your pharmacy options.