TRICARE has launched its first-ever campaign to encourage beneficiaries to use the TRICARE Mail Order Program (TMOP) to fill prescriptions.

TRICARE officials hope to use a change in co-payments not only to encourage more beneficiaries to use mail order but also generic drugs.

The plan would end the $3 co-payment on mail order generics. At the same time, co-pay for the retail network would rise from $3 up to $5 for generic and from $9 up to $15 for brand name drugs.

The company Express-Scripts runs the TMOP. To reach it, call (866) 363-8667, or (866) 275-4732 from overseas; e-mail TMOP.customer.relations@express-scripts.com; or write to Express Scripts Inc., P.O. Box 52150, Phoenix, AZ 85072.

For more information, read "TRICARE Urges Shift From Retail to Mail Order Drugs" by Tom Philpott.