Rx ACCESS Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced
Summary
Expands access and fairness in TRICARE pharmacy benefits. This bill lets eligible beneficiaries choose how they get maintenance non‑generic medications and makes Pharmacy Benefit Managers follow minimum reimbursement and transparency rules.
Show full summary
- Families and beneficiaries: Starting October 1, 2026 an eligible covered beneficiary may elect to receive non‑generic maintenance prescriptions through the newly specified election options, giving more flexibility for refill methods.
- Retail pharmacies and PBMs: Retail pharmacies must be reimbursed at least the pharmacy's acquisition cost or a NADAC proxy when listed on the CMS national average drug acquisition cost index plus a professional dispensing fee equal to the State Medicaid dispensing fee. Contractors may not impose point‑of‑sale, retroactive, or hidden fees on those pharmacies.
- Oversight and implementation: The Comptroller General must audit contractor reimbursement data, price concessions, and pharmacy network adequacy at least annually and report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The Secretary of Defense must submit a 90‑day implementation plan to the congressional defense committees.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More pharmacy choice for TRICARE users
If enacted, beginning October 1, 2026, eligible TRICARE beneficiaries would be able to elect to get non‑generic maintenance medicines by any option listed in the law. The bill would require TRICARE contractors to pay retail pharmacies at least the pharmacy's acquisition cost (or the CMS NADAC amount when listed) plus the State Medicaid dispensing fee as of the claim adjudication date. Contractors would be barred from charging point-of-sale, retroactive, or hidden fees to those retail pharmacies. The Comptroller General would audit contractor reimbursement data and retail pharmacy network access at least once a year and send results to the Armed Services Committees. The Secretary of Defense would have to submit 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
Shelley Capito
WV • R
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov