PRIA Logo™
S4106119th CongressWALLET

Rx ACCESS Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

Introduced

Summary

The Rx ACCESS Act would reshape TRICARE pharmacy rules to make retail pharmacies get paid more predictably and to expand how beneficiaries can get maintenance medications. It focuses on cost‑based reimbursements for retail pharmacies and stronger audits of pharmacy networks.

Show full summary
  • Families and beneficiaries: The bill changes election language covering Oct 1, 2015 to Oct 1, 2026 and, beginning Oct 1, 2026, would let eligible TRICARE beneficiaries elect to receive non‑generic maintenance medications through alternative delivery options described in the statute.
  • Retail pharmacies: Contracts administering TRICARE pharmacy benefits would have to reimburse a retail pharmacy at least the pharmacy's actual acquisition cost or a CMS national average acquisition cost proxy plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the state Medicaid (title XIX) fee. Contractors would be prohibited from charging point‑of‑sale, retroactive, or other hidden fees.
  • Oversight and Defense Department duties: The Comptroller General would perform not‑less‑than annual audits of reimbursement data, price concessions, and the adequacy and retail network including rural and underserved areas and whether beneficiary choices reflect preference. The Secretary of Defense must provide Congress a plan to implement these provisions within 90 days of enactment.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More choice for TRICARE prescriptions

If enacted, beginning on October 1, 2026, eligible TRICARE beneficiaries would be able to elect to get non-generic maintenance prescriptions by any delivery or dispensing method listed in the statute. The bill would also say the earlier refill-election period that began on October 1, 2015 ends on October 1, 2026. These changes would expand choice for non-generic maintenance drugs while also formalizing the end date of the prior election window.

New pharmacy pay and fee rules

If enacted, contractors that run the TRICARE pharmacy program would have to reimburse certain retail pharmacies at least the pharmacy's actual drug acquisition cost (or a CMS national average proxy when listed) plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the State Medicaid dispensing fee. Contractors would be banned from charging point-of-sale, retroactive, or hidden fees on those pharmacies. The Comptroller General would be required to audit reimbursement data, price concessions, and retail pharmacy network adequacy at least annually and report to the Armed Services committees. The Defense Secretary would need to give Congress an implementation plan within 90 days of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

AR • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/17/2026

  • Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

    WV • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 4/13/2026

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 6/16/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation