Pharmacy

We fill new prescriptions and refills at no cost for covered medications for:

• Active duty service members
• TRICARE enrollees
• Active duty family members
• Retirees and their family members

Learn more about eligibility for TRICARE pharmacy benefits.

Filling New Prescriptions

We fill prescriptions from both military and civilian providers.

Providers from Our Facility

Your provider may submit a prescription directly to the pharmacy during or after your appointment.

• You can activate the prescription(s) and wait, or
• You can come back later to pick them up.
• Prescription pick-up is also available at Madigan, Puyallup Clinic, and South Sound Clinic pharmacies. You can use Q-Anywhere to activate your prescription at McChord and any of the listed locations.

Civilian Providers

If you have prescriptions from a TRICARE-authorized civilian provider:

• The provider can submit an electronic prescription to our pharmacy, or
• You can hand-carry a written prescription to our pharmacy. Note: This is the least preferred option.

To submit an electronic prescription:

Ask your provider to select the:

• Pharmacy name: DoD JB Lewis-McChord Pharmacy
• NCPDP/NPI number: 1619076650

If you hand-carry a written prescription:

Check in at the kiosk. Follow on-screen prompts to check in. Then select “activate a new prescription.” The front window will assist you with filling the prescription. Please note, handwritten prescriptions can take longer to process.

Activating New Prescriptions

There are multiple ways to activate your prescription.

Option 1: Fastest and Preferred – Q-Anywhere

Scan the QR code below or text “Get in line” to 833-270-8758. Please note, this is a text-only number and doesn't receive phone calls.

Follow the prompts on your mobile device.

Option 2: In Person

Go to McChord Clinic. The McChord Pharmacy is located on the main floor in the lobby. Go to any of the kiosks and follow the on-screen prompts to check in.

Requesting Prescription Refills

We have three ways to refill your prescriptions:

Option 1: Online

• Log in to the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal and select the Rx Refills tab.
• Select the medication(s) you want to refill.
• Follow the prompts to select where you want to pick it up.
• You’ll be given a date and time when your refill(s) will be ready to pick up.

Note: If you’re not a registered user, you’ll need to sign up first.

Option 2: By Phone

• Call our pharmacy refill line at 253-893-8804 Option 5. Then, follow the prompts to select where you want to pick up your refills.
• If enrolled in text message alerts, you’ll get a text notification when your refills are ready to pick up.

Option 3: In Person

Go to McChord Clinic. The McChord Pharmacy is located on the main floor in the lobby. Go to any of the kiosks and follow the on-screen prompts to check in. Select the new prescription option.
Processing time varies based on pharmacy staffing and resources.

Picking Up Your Prescriptions

You’ll need a valid uniformed services ID card to pick up a prescription. This includes children aged 10 and older. Prescriptions not picked up will be returned to stock after 10 business days. If you can’t pick up your prescription within this timeframe, please contact the pharmacy. If you’re picking up a prescription for another person, please bring that person’s valid uniformed services ID (or photocopy, digital picture).

Main Pharmacy

Prescriptions can be picked up at Madigan’s Main Pharmacy, or any of Madigan’s satellite pharmacy locations.
Q-Anywhere is also available for Main Pharmacy.

• Patient Portal can be used to send a message to JBLM Madigan Main Outpatient Pharmacy to activate prescriptions. Please allow 24 hours for these requests.
• Pharmacy call center is available at 253-968-2586, Option 6 to speak with pharmacy staff to activate prescriptions. Call center hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Walk-in hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note the main pharmacy opens at 10:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.

Satellite Pharmacy

Pick up is available.

Drug Take Back Program

Proper disposal of prescription drugs reduces the risk of unintentional poisoning, drug abuse, and environmental harm.
If you want to dispose of unwanted or unneeded drugs:

• Drop them in the secure blue bin located in the main lobby

Several exclusions apply. This includes:

• Syringes
• Needles
• Liquids greater than four ounces

Also, if a medication appears on the FDA Flush List, it may be disposed of by flushing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my prescription is covered?

All military pharmacies follow the TRICARE Formulary – a list of TRICARE-covered prescription drugs and supplies. The TRICARE Formulary lists:

• Which drugs are covered.
• Drug information and frequently asked questions.
• Cost details ($0 at a military pharmacy and out-of-pocket costs elsewhere).
• Medical necessity/prior-authorization requirements and link to forms.
• If a prior authorization or medical necessity is required, your provider must submit the request to TRICARE before your prescription can be filled.

Can my network provider send controlled substances prescriptions electronically?

Yes! By regulations, all prescribers should send controlled substance prescriptions electronically.

Can I refill a prescription if the last fill was not at a military pharmacy?

Yes! Call our main pharmacy line and ask them to transfer the prescription FROM your current pharmacy. It’s helpful to have the prescription bottle available to give us the pharmacy name, phone number, prescription number, and medication name and dates.

Can I pick up medications for another person?

Yes! Please bring a valid uniformed services ID (or photocopy, digital pictures) for all patients getting prescriptions. Please note: Children 10 years of age or older must have their own ID card.

What is the difference between a new, refill, and renewal prescription?

A new prescription is one a provider writes for a specific quantity and subsequent refills. It may require extra verification or prior authorization.

A refill is an additional supply of your medication that your doctor authorized as part of your original prescription. This pre-approval allows the pharmacy to dispense more of your medication without requiring a new prescription from your doctor. For example, take one tablet daily, quantity 90 with four refills. This means the patient can call the pharmacy every 90 days to have medication for a year without seeing their doctor for a new prescription every 90 days.

A renewal is for a medication you’ve already been prescribed but it has expired or run out of authorized refills.

What if I need a non-formulary or non-stocked medication?

If you’re prescribed a non-formulary medication, there are extra steps for your provider to complete. Non-formulary drugs are non-stocked medications at military pharmacies. For these drugs, expect a longer turnaround time for preparation and ordering, or you may have to use an alternative pharmacy option, such as a TRICARE retail network pharmacy or TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery.

What do I do if my medication is out of stock?

• Ask your provider if they can approve you to switch to an alternative medication.
• You can fill your prescription at a TRICARE network pharmacy or TRICARE Home Delivery. TRICARE copayments apply.
• Be sure to ask for the expected resupply date so you know whether to wait or seek another option.

I’m deploying. How can I fill my prescriptions?

Before deploying, military pharmacies can provide your initial deployment prescription in a quantity to support your deployment within legal requirements. You can fill prescriptions and get refills through the Deployment Prescription Program once in theater if the location is not restricted by foreign postal law.