[HEALTH.MIL] Endometriosis for Endometriosis Awareness & TRICARE Revises Compound Drug Coverage
- From: HEALTH.MIL@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: <TFL@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <HEALTH.MIL@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2015 20:14:29 -0500
Raise Global Awareness about Endometriosis for Endometriosis Awareness Month
3/12/2015
Get informed about endometriosis! Find out if you are one of the millions of
women living with it. Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women
worldwide according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. It is still
unclear what causes endometriosis, but it is a common health problem and many
women do not know that they have it.
Endometriosis generally occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus or
womb grows in other parts of the body. The endometrial tissue continues to grow
and bleed during menstruation outside of the uterus spreading to other organs in
a network of tissue, causing pain and other symptoms. Pain is the most common
symptom of endometriosis: painful menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen; pelvis
or lower back during menstrual periods, often times hard to distinguish from
menstrual period discomfort. The pain may get worse over time, including chronic
(long-term) pain in the lower back and pelvis; pain during or after sex;
intestinal pain-painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual
periods; bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods; infertility, or not
being able to get pregnant. Also, stomach problems can include diarrhea,
constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
The disease is most commonly diagnosed in women in their 30's and 40s that have:
* Never had children
* Menstrual periods that last more than seven days
* Short menstrual cycles (27 days or fewer)
* A related family member (mother, aunt, sister) with endometriosis
* A health problem that blocks the normal flow of menstrual blood
There is no cure for endometriosis but there are treatments available for the
symptoms and problems that it causes. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists suggests three common methods for detecting endometriosis: a
pelvic exam, ultrasound or laparoscopy. TRICARE covers the diagnosis and
treatment of endometriosis. If you have questions about endometriosis, are
experiencing symptoms, or if symptoms have returned after receiving treatment
you should talk with your primary care provider. Treatments can be administered
medically or surgically. Medical treatment can include a combination of hormone
therapy (often with oral contraceptives) and pain medications.
Visit the <http://www.womenshealth.gov/> Office on Women's Health for resources
and helpful information about endometriosis. For more information on TRICARE
benefits and covered services, visit the <http://www.tricare.mil/isitcovered>
TRICARE covered services page.
SOURCE: TRICARE News Release at http://www.tricare.mil/Endometriosis031215
TRICARE Revises Compound Drug Coverage
3/12/2015By: TRICARE.mil Staff
<http://www.health.mil/News/Authors/TRICAREdotMil-Staff>
Related Topics: TRICARE Health Program
<http://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Acc
ess-to-Healthcare/TRICARE-Health-Plan> , TRICARE Pharmacy Program
<http://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Acc
ess-to-Healthcare/Pharmacy-Program> , Compound Drugs
<http://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Acc
ess-to-Healthcare/Pharmacy-Program/Compound-Drugs>
Starting May 1, 2015, Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, will
screen all ingredients in compound drug claims to ensure they are safe and
effective, and covered by TRICARE. This screening process is like the one
TRICARE already uses for other prescription drugs, but it will now apply to the
ingredients in compound drugs.
Compound drugs are a combination of drug ingredients prepared by a pharmacist
for a patient's individual needs. TRICARE beneficiaries taking a compound drug
likely to be impacted by the change will soon receive a letter explaining the
new process for screening compound drugs, and what steps they should follow.
Use of compound drugs has increased greatly in recent years. However, some
compound drug ingredients have limited or no evidence that they are safe and
effective. If a compound does not pass an initial screen, the pharmacist can
switch a non-approved ingredient with an approved one, or request the doctor
write a new prescription. If this is not possible, the doctor may ask Express
Scripts to consider other evidence by requesting a prior authorization.
The Defense Health Agency's highest priority is to provide our beneficiaries
safe and effective care while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Many compound drugs will still be covered because they include ingredients
proven to be safe, and most beneficiaries will experience no delay in getting
their prescriptions. For more information about TRICARE coverage of compound
drugs, visit the TRICARE Compound Drugs page
<http://www.tricare.mil/CompoundDrugs> .
SOURCE: Defense Health Agency Press Release at
http://www.health.mil/News/Articles/2015/03/12/TRICARE-Revises-Compound-Drug-Cov
erage
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