Hanscom pharmacy services to be limited during renovations

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The 66th Medical Squadron pharmacy will be operating under limited capabilities Feb. 18 through 21 and closed Feb. 24 through 25 while the facility undergoes renovations.

Patrons are highly encouraged to refill prescriptions early or utilize off-base pharmacies during this period, as refills will not be provided.  Additionally, wait times for filling new prescriptions will be much longer than normal.  

“It will probably be in most people’s best interest to utilize pharmacies in their communities,” said Col. Mark Oordt, 66 MDS commander. “Our focus will be on the immediate needs of prescriptions from on-base providers, but even for those prescriptions, we’re expecting wait times to be significant due to our very limited capacity during the renovations.”

During the first week of renovations, the pharmacy will be open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be filling only new and urgent prescriptions. Refills will not be provided during that week. Patients who need refills can request early refills or the Hanscom pharmacy staff can assist in transferring them to an off-base pharmacy.

To request refills, call 781-225-2592 with the prescription number ready. If the automation states the refill is too early, call 781-225-6173 to speak with a pharmacy staff member.  This number can also be called to request to have prescription refills transferred to an off-base pharmacy.

“Network pharmacies require a hand-written prescription from 66 MDS physicians for all new prescriptions,” said Maj. Sang Ngo, 66 MDS Diagnostics & Therapeutics Flight commander. “If the prescription is already in the system at the Hanscom pharmacy and the patient needs a refill, our pharmacists will call the patient’s preferred off-base pharmacy and transfer the prescription.”

Officials from MDS want to remind personnel that, while off-base pharmacy expenses are completely covered for active duty members, dependents may be subject to a co-pay.  

To avoid potential high co-pays, MDS staff ask that all prescription refills be requested before Feb. 13. 

A list of network pharmacies and possible co-pays can be found at https://Tricare.mil/networkpharmacy.

For additional questions, contact the pharmacy at 781-225-6173.

The renovations should not impact other 66 MDS missions. The pharmacy is slated to resume normal business hours of Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 26.