Question:
Has anyone been able to get Tricare to cover Wellbutrin XL?
I guess Wellbutrin has no sexual side effects and is easy to digest. I know this one is an extended release but it was the one my PCM wanted to perscribe. Has anyone been able to get Tricare to cover this for reasons relating to WLS? Thank you for your feedback. — Carol S. (posted on October 31, 2003)
October 31, 2003
My husband and I have Tricare. Tricare covered Wellbutrin XR for him. Be
sure to have your doctor write on the scrip 'not for smoking cessation' and
you shouldn't have a problem. Found this out the hard way. Submitted a
scrip without this written on it and had to resubmit to prove it wasn't to
help quit smoking.
— Vicki S.
October 31, 2003
I am Tricare Prime and I had no trouble getting Tricare to cover Wellbutrin
for depression.
— KittyKatt
November 1, 2003
I don't have Tricare but I can tell you that Wellbutrin XL is relatively
new to the market and a lot of insurance companies have not yet added it to
their formularies. Wellbutrin XL is taken only once a day. Wellbutrin SR
(sustained release) is taken 1 to 2 times per day.And then, regular
Wellutrin can be taken more than twice per day. Before the WLS critics jump
on you for taking an extended release (XL) medication, let me say that my
husband, 6 months post RNY, has been on it for several weeks now and it
works great for him with no side effects.
Here is what you can do: check you Summary Plan Description or call your
customer service number and ask how you go about getting a non-formulary
medication covered by your plan. Then, follow the instructions. Sometimes
the process is slow, sometimes it's pretty quick; I can't say for Tricare.
It's worth a shot.
— koogy
November 1, 2003
Carol, I was perscribied Wellbutrin several Years ago, and, at the time it
was Medco Pharmacy, they filled it without a problem. Why should they care
why you need it, if it is doctor perscribed that is all that matters.
If you tell them that the doctor perscribed it for your nevers you should
not have any problem.
If you continue to have problems, get in touch with the Tricare service
center in your area, and find out what else you can do. Good luck, I know
that it will all work out alright.
Yvette
— Yvette M.
November 1, 2003
My doctor precribed it for me for "depression". Like so many
other insurances we had to have it prescribe just for depresion or it wsa
not covered. Debby/IA
— DebbyB
November 3, 2003
I AM ON WELLBUTRIN SR AND ASKED FOR IT BY NAME. I AM TRYING TO QUIT
SMOKING PRIOR TO MY SURGERY DATE. I TOLD MY PCM SPECIFICALLY THAT I WANTED
WELLBUTRIN TO HELP ME QUIT SMOKING. SHE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT. I AM SEEN
AT A MILITARY FACILITY (IRWIN ARMY COMMUNITY HOSP) ON FORT RILEY, KS. I DO
NOT KNOW IF YOU COULD DO THIS WHEN SEEING A CIVILIAN DOCTOR OFF OF A
MILITARY INSTALLATION AND GET TRICARE TO PAY FOR IT. GOOD LUCK!
— Christy L.
March 8, 2004
My pcp prescribed me zyban and nicotine patches. To stop smoking. Maybe
they just have the smoking cessation classes at the health and wellness
center(hawc). So they do pay for it. I don't know if there is a differace
between Army and Air Force.
— Angela J.
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