Getting a prescription filled

[ladytoysdream]

Friday I had to go to the doctor because I had a insect bite me in the ankle earlier in the week when I was out working in the garden. I don't know what kind of insect but guess is probably a spider.
My ankle was swelling up, redness spreading, very warm to touch, pain, etc. My temp was 104. She agreed with me I need anitbiotics.
I knew I was in trouble because 2 yrs ago, a insect bit me in the other ankle and because it was almost a week before I saw the doctor, it took awhile for my ankle to get back to normal.

So she faxed that prescription plus 2 other ones she wants me to stay on, over to the drugstore that I use. I go right to the drugstore after I get out of the doctor's office. They had the 3 bottles ready to go. Price was $ 116 after insurance paid. THUD
So now with the new technology ....a prescription gets faxed, then they get ahold of your insurance company, and have the pills read to go. She just wanted my money at that point......
I was not a happy camper. Yes we have insurance but it's like we don't have a choice. They just shove it through the system.
So it's like wait a minuter here.....I told her I wanted her to go over things with me first before I handed over any money. The first gal could not answer all my questions, so I got the pharmacist.
My anitbiotics were just over $ 7.
My second pills were no cost to me because the insurance company paid that. The ones she wants me to take for colestrol was over $ 100 for my co pay. Sheesh. So I turned that one down. I fiqure if I can drop my colestrol numbers by 75 points on my own, without taking any medicine, why should I ? Now monday I will follow up with the insurance company to make sure she did take that one medicine back off. I like the hand written prescriptiions better. This new technology is not impressing me one bit. The pharmacist made all the decisions with the insurance company without any input from me. Is this the normal procedure for medicine now ?

[frugalwarrior]

No. Thats not the way I get mine. My pediatrician always pushes to have us fill them downstairs at the building pharmacy. I figure they must get some "cut". I always go to my grocery store pharmacy. I reveiw costs as you did. I have my DD's meds as DAW and I sometimes get a hassle because their is a generic but it doesn't work as well for her. Lots of times things like nasal sprays and cough medicines are not necessary or can be bought cheaper OTC. So I don't fill those either. I figure I'm in charge. Someone has always got their fingers in your wallet,stand firm.

[strezzed]

If you let them take control, they will.

[McD]

It doesn't bother me at all. The doctor faxes my prescriptions to Walgreens, I go in and pick it up. They tell me how much my medicines are, if I have any questions, I speak to the pharamcist. I also love that I can go online to the Walgreens website and decide what prescripts to refill etc.

It's my understanding that they check with the insurance company as to how much they will cover before you pick up your medicine but that they do not actually charge the insurance company until you accept the medicine. I would ask your pharamcy for clarification on how they bill if you have concenrs.

[Contrary Housewife]

The doctor's office faxed the request for the prescriptions. Perfectly normal these days, it saves everyone time. Otherwise you show up with your paper scripts and have to wait while the pharmacy has to call back to the doctor's office to confirm them... and the doctor's office has to send someone for your file and check. Then you wait some more while they fill the pill bottles.

As far as the pharmacy knows you wanted all 3 prescriptions, since they were called in in your name. Their new computer system allows them to check with your insurance company and see what coverage you have and to go ahead and get everything packaged up and ready for you. They do this for your convenience so you won't have to wait.

Pharmacist consultation seems to be optional these days. Especially if it is not a new medication or if no conflicts come up with the various medications you are on. Their processing system is set up to warn them if you get medications that cant be taken together. And they all seem to be different. One I use always asks if I want to see the pharmacist, one doesn't. One acts like it is a big hassle when I ask, I don't like to go there for that reason.

In any case, you are not charged for the pills until you show up and pay for them, or authorize them to be charged to your insurance.

I don't see how a paper script would have been better. They'd have done all the same things, but you'd have had to stand there a half hour and wait while they did it.

[ladytoysdream]

Well it tripped me up because it was the first time going through this speedy process. Last time I got a prescription filled was over 6 months ago, and it was on paper. Not faxed.
I had asked for a 90 day refill because it usually is cheaper. Which I did not get because the pricey one could only be gotten on 30 days per my insurance company. I also had mentioned to my doctor that the pricey med I am supposed to be on, I wanted to ask the specialist if we could change that one. I don't think I will be able to afford it if the hubby gets laid off and if we lose our health insurance.
That and I remember my specialist told me I only had to be on this one medicine. My doctor tells me this is not correct. I am supposed to be on 3 of them. Which is what she wants, and not me and the other doctor. So I feel this rush process was not in my best interest this time. That and not feeling well because of this insect bite, I am a bit cranky right now with the medical system.

[MaryCarney]

Hi!
I'm a nurse and have a great money saving idea regarding prescriptions for all of you FVers out there.
Print out and take with you to the doctor the $4 prescription list from Walgreens, CVS, WalMart etc. Print out the list by category if that is an option.
For example, the generic Pravachol is on that list (cholesterol medication) Pull that list out and ask the doctor if there is an acceptable med on the list before they write your script.
If your MD is unwilling to consider this, you need a new doctor. Sometimes, the doctor has a very good reason for not using this list, and if he/she can explain to you why - and you understand why- then bite the bullet and get the script you need.
I never cease to be amazed by people who do whatever their MD says, without question, and continue to see the same doctor who gives them crappy service.
YOUR DOCTOR WORKS FOR YOU- he/she is your employee!!!!!!!

One more thing, take a notebook and pen with you to EVERY doctor's appointment, and in that notebook have written down the questions you want to ask. Also be writing down what you are told at that visit, date it, and you will never again have to rack your brain about what you were told when you were sick and not processing well.

Hope this helps!

[frugalfranny]

One way to stop it is not get it filled at their pharmacy....though some you have to. (IE: with mine, if it is NOT generic then I have to fill it there to get to do just the co-pay) With ANY generic one I tell my dr. I am not sure WHERE I will get it filled and she then HAS to give me a written RX.

This also gives me the opportunity to see if it is on the Walmart $4 list or shop around for a price. By paying for it myself I can usually do MUCH better with price than using their pharmacy and then, not only do I only get 30 day supply, but the co-pay will be more than if it was on WM $4 list. Think that is unclear but here is example: I can go to WM and get 90 generic thyroid pills.......at one time......for $12. If I went to my medical pharmacy I can only get 30 day supply(30 pills) and it is $15. Same principle applies to all generics IF it is on WM list.

[thefrug]

Is this the normal procedure for medicine now ?

yep. and just wait. once they get their toe-hold with the government run health care, they'll decide that everybody will have to be on it. You watch. Health care in this country will go down the drain when the government gets into it. It'll be SO wonderful having a pencil pusher in DC deciding whether you get to have your medicine or a life saving procedure.

BUT, the majority of the US citizens WANT the government to run their lives. They WANT the government to tell them what to do, when to do it and how to do it. It's called a Nanny State, and all who voted for the Dems wanted it. THIS is the CHANGE they wanted. Isn't it lovely? LMAO!
It's only gonna get worse from here people. Hang on!

[pop goes the weasel]

Our dr only faxes things when its a call in instead of an actual office visit. Otherwise we get paper scripts and we can find out before they are filled how much they are going to be and if we can get generic. Considering the jumped the price of the office call from 56 to 110 bucks it helps to know what everything will cost.

[FrugalMomof3]

Maybe try Walmart or Walgreens since they offer prescriptions sometimes for free! I had to get a prescription filled a little over a month ago and took it to my local supermarket and I actually didnt have to pay 1 red cent, I was relieved.