If you are a veteran and receive prescription medication from the VA, knowing how to refill those prescriptions is important. What do you do if you run out of refills before your next appointment with your VA doctor?

The first step is registering in My HealtheVet as a VA Patient or ChampVA beneficiary. Once you’re registered, select the “Pharmacy” dropdown from the main menu bar. Then, select “Refill VA Prescriptions.” The menu panel on the left shows your pharmacy options.

We will walk you through the process of refilling a VA prescription. Remember that each VA pharmacy may have its procedures, so check with your local pharmacy before refilling your prescription. Let’s get started!

Does VA Healthcare Cover Prescriptions?

The VA pharmacy program offers pharmaceutical benefits to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. VA prescriptions can be refilled online through the My HealtheVet portal. First, select the “Pharmacy” dropdown from the main menu bar to refill your VA prescriptions. Then, select “Refill VA Prescriptions.” The menu panel on the left shows your pharmacy options. If you would like to begin to refill your VA prescriptions, select “Refill VA Prescriptions” on My HealtheVet. The Refill VA Prescriptions table contains eight columns, each heading presorting the prescriptions by their assigned number.

If you are not registered as a VA patient or ChampVA beneficiary, you cannot use the My HealtheVet prescription refill feature. You can learn more about VA healthcare benefits and how to register for them on the VA website.

Are Prescriptions Free Through the VA?

Veterans in Priority Group 1 or those exempt from paying for medications do not have to pay for them. However, an annual limit was put in place to remove any potential money-related stress for Veterans who are enrolled in Priority Groups 2 through 8 and might need a lot of medications. The annual limit is $700 per Veteran, which goes into effect after filling the first $2300 worth of medications. Therefore, for Veterans enrolled in Priority Groups 2 through 8, any medications that cost more than $700 a year will require the Veteran to pay the difference.

VA Prescription Refill App

If you are a first-time user of this feature, you will be asked to complete some brief information about yourself before getting started. You will need to provide your date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number. This helps My HealtheVet keep your information secure. You will also be asked to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Once you have registered, you can use this PIN to access your account in the future.

If you are having trouble logging in or don’t know your PIN, you can click on the “Forgot PIN?” link on the login page. You will need to answer some questions about yourself to verify your identity and be able to reset your PIN.

Once logged in, you will see a list of all your current VA prescriptions. To refill a prescription, simply click on the “Refill” button next to the medication you need. You should then be prompted to choose the pharmacy where you want to grab your prescriptions. You can also choose to have your prescriptions delivered to your home.

If you have questions about using the Refill VA Prescriptions feature, click on the “?” icon in the top right corner of the page. This will bring up a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may be able to help you. You can also contact the My HealtheVet Help Desk by calling 1-877-327-0022.

Can I Fill My VA Prescription at CVS?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has appointed CVS Caremark to manage the pharmacy benefits for its Community Care Network (CCN). CVS locations are just some of the many retail partner pharmacies in the VA CCN networks. You may fill your VA prescriptions at any CVS retail pharmacy. First, tell the pharmacist you have a VA prescription and want to use CVS. The pharmacist will then contact the VA Mail Order Pharmacy on your behalf to obtain authorization for the prescription.

If you are a Veteran enrolled in Veterans Health Care, you may also choose to receive your medications through the VA mail-order pharmacy program. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracts with CVS Caremark to fill prescriptions for veterans participating in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) community care programs. You can learn more about this program by visiting the VHA Office of Community Care website.

Will the VA Reimburse Me for Prescriptions?

Prescriptions classified as emergent or urgent must be paid for when picked up at a non-CCN retail pharmacy. If you have any out-of-pocket expenses, your local VA hospital institution Community Care office may be able to compensate you. The VA Facility Locator will help you find the closest VA medical facility to your location.

If you use the Veterans Mail Order Pharmacy (VAMOP), there is no limit to the days’ supply of your medication that can be ordered. The VAMOP will mail your medications to you, and you may also have them delivered to your home. You will only be responsible for paying any applicable copayments or coinsurance for each 30-day or 90-day supply of medications received through the VAMOP.

Can VA Prescriptions be Filled at Any Pharmacy?

The only prescriptions veterans can fill at a VA CCN retail pharmacy are the urgent or emergent ones written by a provider participating in the VA CCN. These prescriptions can be for up to a 14-day supply with no refills, opioids included (but only seven days if that is your state limit). 

All other medications must be filled through the Veterans Mail Order Pharmacy (VAMOP) or a community retail pharmacy. If you use the VAMOP, there is no limit to the day’s supply of your medication that can be ordered, but opioids are still limited to a seven-day supply. You may also have your prescriptions delivered to your home through the VAMOP.

A few medications can only be filled at a VA facility, such as those used in cancer treatment or certain high-cost injectable drugs. Your provider will let you know if your prescription falls into this category.

Will the VA Fill an Outside Prescription?

Currently, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) does not cover prescriptions written by non-VHA doctors. Therefore, you will need to get a new prescription from a VA provider or have your non-VA provider send a consultation request to a VA facility so that the VA can assume care of your condition.

If you have an urgent or emergent need for medication, you may be able to get a one-time supply of your medication through the VA’s community care network (CCN). The CCN is a network of non-VA providers who have agreed to provide veterans care when it is unavailable at their local VA facility.