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Posted 3/4/2009 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I see my PM dr every 3mo's. So when I need a refill I call and they mail me my 2 scripts. When I called last time, the new girl says to me " We'll fill the 2 this month, but starting next month we're only going to be able to fill 1 narcotic for you" They're starting to crack down" .... how weird is that... I've not done anything but have some insurance issues.. but I've never asked for them early or anything.. I've been a perfect patient.. I was just in there not to long ago. If they knew this, they've known for awhile and WHY didnt he say something then???

Why do you think they're doing this? Im confused!!

Posted 3/4/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)

J Rene,

I wouldn't take it personally, if I were you.  The governing bodies that overlook the doctors are "cracking down" and are probably implimenting new procedures to comply with regulations.  If I were you, I would wait until I came back in to see the doctor and ask some more questions about the specific reasons why.  Meanwhile,  I am almost sure it is not a direct reflection on you.

Hope this helps!

Lindaloo wink

Posted 3/4/2009 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
You mention insurance issues - and that could have something to do with it. Insurance companies changes the rules of the game all the time, and often at the last minute. I'm a health care provider and I often receive corresopndence from insurance companies that change their policy or procedure - and I'm lucky if I'm given a few weeks notice.

Like LIndaloo said, I wouldn't take it personally. But you might check with your insurance company if they've changed anything.

PaLady
Posted 3/4/2009 1:24 PM (GMT 0)

The laws are changing at a rapid rate, Medicare rules drive a lot of the changes regardless of your current insurance.  There is a letter hanging in my PMD's Exam room that states anyone on Controlled drugs now has to have Drug Urine testing done at each visit.  No more refills on Pain Meds without a visit.  I was on a 3 month recheck cycle, now I go every 2 months, they give me my Rx for a 30 day supply and 1 refill.  Every other visit I do a drug urine test.  Medicare requires this!  They told me the monthly reck is based on current meds!  In AZ they are now tracking Dr's who prescribe and people who are on,class 2 & 3 drugs!

So definitely don't take it personal!

edt

Posted 3/4/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi J Rene, good to see you post. Yes, I believe as the others have stated this is not against you persoanlly, sounds like a change in office operations. My former pain mgt dr changed the schedule to once monthly. If you wanted a refill by phone, you had to go in like an office visit and pay for the office visit, in other words no more refills by phone. Good way to rack up extra money I guess. I made sure I got my scripts while was there for a reg appt....Susie
Posted 3/4/2009 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Rene,
Any chance you could switch to a mail order pharmacy? I know in my state that doctors are not supposed to write for a C2 unless the patient comes in for a visit. They have to have records of seeing the patient -- even if just for a quick moment -- to write the script. However, there is a provision (in my state, at least) that a 90-day mail order script can be written -- which would get you through the 3 months. Not all doctors are comfortable with prescribing that much at one time and I've heard it's not allowed in some states (not sure whether that's true), but maybe it would be worth asking your doc.

Just a thought. I know mail orders come with their own set of hassles, but if that can somehow help you get what you need without all the costly doctors visits then I'm glad to have helped.

feel better,
frances
Posted 3/6/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to say that Frances is right about the mail order pharmacy.Before I was getting my Fentanyl patch at the pharmacy in town and eather me or my husband would have to pick up the script at the Dr. office every month.Decided to check if it could be filled at are mail order pharmacy because every month when I went to get it from the pharmacy in town thay were short on this medication and I would have to take what they had and go back in a week for the rest of the order.I got really tired of that so we called the mail order pharmacy to check on if thay could fill it and was told that if my Dr. would write it for three months that thay could fill it that way.It is so nice to not have to deal with the local pharmacy for this medication.So talk to the mail order and your Dr. Good luck.
Posted 3/7/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies! The thing with the insurance was my work was with Medco then switched to CVS Caremark and I didnt get the cards b/c they had an old address. So I couldnt afford to pay $220.00, so I got  a 5 day supply until it got straighten out, but had to get a new script cause the other was no good. My concern is if the patient needs it why are they making them suffer and my grave concern is not being weened but just cut off. My body has been use to taking these meds for almost 5 yrs. I hate withdrawls!!! He had to of know this was happening, why didnt he talk to me about it on my last appt? Thats what makes me upset.
Posted 3/7/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Get a appointemtb with your doctor. If they cold turkey you off a narcotic, it can danger your health. You need to be weened off, not cold turkey. Or your body can start shutting things down due to being used to this medication. If he refuses, demand a second opinion and say you have taken medication for so many years and it would endanger your health if you were to cold turkey it. and if he could not abide on helping you ween off a medication that can cause danger if just to be taken off than he should either get a dr more quilified to deal with your health or go back to med school. Course, I'm a smart ass!
Posted 3/8/2009 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Smurfy Shadow ~ I like your way of thinking. Im a smartass too... I just don't say what Im thinking. Which either keeps me outta trouble or makes my head wanna pop off with aggravation. smhair

 

Im getting ready to be due for a refill in the next week. So I think I'll make an appt. to ask the dr "WTH" ?

 

 

 ~ jrene

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