Hawaii pharmacy and Part D network guide
Where you fill prescriptions in Hawaii directly affects what you pay. Different pharmacies have different relationships with different Part D plans — and finding the right combination can save hundreds of dollars annually.
How Part D pharmacy networks work
Every Part D and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan has a pharmacy network with three tiers:
- Preferred network pharmacies — lowest copays and best prices for your plan
- Standard network pharmacies — higher copays than preferred but still in-network
- Out-of-network pharmacies — typically not covered except in emergencies
The same pharmacy chain may be preferred for one plan and standard for another. Always check your specific plan's pharmacy network before choosing where to fill.
Major pharmacy chains in Hawaii
| Chain | Hawaii presence |
|---|---|
| Longs Drugs (CVS-owned) | The dominant chain — locations on every populated island; CVS Caremark is the EUTF Part D administrator |
| Walmart | Multiple Hawaii locations; often a preferred pharmacy for major Part D plans |
| Costco | Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai locations; competitive cash and Part D pricing |
| Walgreens | Limited Hawaii presence — primarily Oahu |
| Foodland Pharmacy | Oahu, Big Island, Kauai — supermarket-based |
| Times Pharmacy | Oahu — supermarket-based; locations across Honolulu |
| Safeway Pharmacy | Oahu and neighbor island locations |
| KTA Super Stores | Big Island locally-owned chain — Hilo, Kona, Waimea, Waikoloa |
| Sam's Club | Oahu — competitive pricing for members |
Independent and community pharmacies
Hawaii has a strong network of independent and community-based pharmacies, including:
- Native Hawaiian Health Care System pharmacies — coordinated with NHHCS clinics
- Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) pharmacies — across all islands
- Independent neighborhood pharmacies — often with personalized service and language matching
Independent pharmacies often participate in Part D networks and can provide more personal service. Ask about their Part D contracts when you visit.
Mail-order pharmacy — particularly valuable in Hawaii
Mail-order pharmacy is one of the most valuable Part D benefits for Hawaii residents:
- 90-day supplies typically cost less per pill than 30-day supplies at retail
- Delivered to your home — no need to physically visit a pharmacy, especially valuable on neighbor islands
- Mainland fulfillment with shipping to Hawaii is standard for most major Part D plans
- Climate-controlled shipping for temperature-sensitive medications (insulin, biologics)
- Vacation overrides — you can request early refill before traveling
For chronic medications you take long-term, mail-order is often substantially cheaper than retail.
Military and VA pharmacies
If you're TRICARE For Life eligible or VA-enrolled, you have additional pharmacy options:
- Tripler Army Medical Center pharmacy — Oahu
- Pearl Harbor-Hickam pharmacy
- Schofield Barracks pharmacy
- MCBH Kaneohe Bay pharmacy
- VA Pacific Islands pharmacies — Tripler-area, plus VA CBOCs on Maui, Big Island, and Kauai
- TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Express Scripts) — 90-day supplies via mail
- TRICARE retail network — including most major chains in Hawaii
Military and VA pharmacy benefits are typically creditable coverage — you usually don't need a separate Part D plan.
EUTF retiree pharmacy
EUTF retiree Part D coverage is administered through:
- CVS Caremark / SilverScript for retirees on HMSA EUTF plans
- Kaiser Permanente built into Kaiser Senior Advantage
EUTF retirees have access to the broader CVS Caremark network, which includes Longs Drugs (heavily preferred) and most major Hawaii chains.
Saving money on prescriptions
- Compare plan formularies before enrolling — use Medicare.gov Plan Finder with your specific medication list
- Choose preferred network pharmacies within your plan
- Use 90-day mail-order for chronic medications
- Apply for Extra Help if income-eligible — caps copays at $1.55-$11.20
- Use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread costs across the year
- Ask about therapeutic alternatives — sometimes a different drug in the same class is much cheaper
- Check manufacturer patient assistance programs for expensive medications
- Compare cash price vs. Part D price occasionally — for some inexpensive generics, cash is cheaper than Part D copay
Pharmacy access on neighbor islands
Pharmacy access varies by island:
- Oahu — multiple chain pharmacies in every population center; densest network in Hawaii
- Maui — Longs, Walmart, Costco, supermarket pharmacies in Kahului, Wailuku, Lahaina, Kihei
- Big Island — KTA stores plus chains; coverage for both Hilo and Kona sides
- Kauai — chains in Lihue, Kapaa; some independent pharmacies in smaller communities
- Molokai — limited; mail-order is essential for many residents
- Lanai — very limited; mail-order is essential
For Molokai and Lanai residents especially, mail-order pharmacy through Part D plans is often the most practical option.
Vacation overrides and travel
If you'll be off-island or off-Hawaii for extended periods, you can request a vacation override from your Part D plan to refill early:
- Call your Part D plan's pharmacy line
- Explain when you're traveling and for how long
- Most plans approve up to a 90-day early refill for travel
- Document the approval — pharmacy may need confirmation
Disaster and emergency refills
During declared emergencies (hurricanes, wildfires), CMS directs Part D plans to facilitate emergency refills:
- Refill-too-soon limits typically waived
- Out-of-network pharmacies may be authorized
- Emergency 30-day supplies often available
If you've been displaced and need refills, call your Part D plan's pharmacy line — don't try to use the local pharmacy directly without coordination.
Frequently asked questions
For most major Part D and MAPD plans serving Hawaii, yes. Longs is owned by CVS, and CVS is the dominant pharmacy benefit network nationally. Always confirm in your specific plan's pharmacy directory.
For chronic medications, almost always yes. Mail-order typically saves money on 90-day supplies, and shipping to Hawaii is standard. The main exceptions are temperature-sensitive medications during prolonged shipping and emergency refills you need immediately.
Yes — most major Part D plans have national pharmacy networks. CVS, Walgreens, Costco, and Walmart pharmacies typically participate nationwide. Confirm with your specific plan.
Mail-order pharmacy is the most practical option for routine medications. For acute medications you can't wait for, the local hospital pharmacy or community health center is your option. Plan ahead for chronic medication refills.
Call your plan's member services number and ask for the preferred pharmacy list, or check the plan's website. Medicare.gov Plan Finder also shows preferred pharmacies for each plan when you enter your medications.