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'Early' fill question (did not run out early)

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Posted 1/23/2014 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to my pain management doctor earlier than usual due to a new pain that I just don't want to figure out on my own. The pain comes at a crucial time at work. My regular appt lands right in the middle of our department getting re-accredited. I basically booked the entire week and can't get away during normal hours. I have a pharmacy at work (hence the major week next week - if we don't make our mark, the whole place goes dark), and I like to keep my pharmacy records clean.

I have moved my PM appt up by 5 days. I have checked with my insurance on the quantity I am allowed per 30 days (no issue there), and my meds are CII so I get a new script each month (so technically not a refill, though there will be no change in therapy unless my PMD decides to up me, not likely, just hoping for an MRI.) Am I going to have a difficult time when I hand over my order? I don't need them tomorrow but it would be really convenient. I expect to work 630am - 7pm all next week. (I know! Don't even get me started!)

Edited for clarity.
Posted 1/24/2014 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
If you are picking up your prescription more than a day or two early, your doctor may actually write on the script "do not fill until xyz date" so that it corresponds with the 30th day/day your prescription should be due. If that is the case, the pharmacy won't fill the prescription until whatever date the doctor wrote.

Sometimes I have to pick up my prescription from my doctor a week or so early if I'm leaving to go back to school. Or if I am at school, I have to have them mail it out for me a week before it is due. When that is the case, I actually ask the person I talk to on the phone to make sure that the doctor writes not to fill the prescription until xzy date, because that way I know that I won't have a problem filling the prescription if I bring it to the pharmacy a week or more after it was written (I believe you there is some regulation that says that you can't fill a CII prescription more than x number of days -- maybe 3? -- after it was written, unless the doctor wrote do not fill until some later date). I've never actually brought my prescription to the pharmacy to be filled that day on the occasion that I picked it up more than a couple days early. The earliest I've ever filled a CII prescription was 2 days early because that happened to be the only day I could get to the pharmacy that week & I was able to fill it without incident (note: that particular prescription didn't have a "do not fill until xzy" notation on it).

If your insurance company approves the prescription that early, then I'd think you could get it filled then. Although I also think that the pharmacy maintains the right to refuse to fill a prescription if they think it is too early. So it could vary by pharmacy -- but maybe I'm wrong. Other people might know.

Skeye
Posted 1/24/2014 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Skeye! I am hoping they at least accept/hold it until its due. Some if the stuff usually needs to be ordered. I hate waiting an additional week. /:
Posted 1/24/2014 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Show the pharmacist the script so they can order the meds and have it ready by the time you can fill it... That should cut down on the additional wait time. I do agree that unless your doctor specifically wants them to fill it now, you will have to wait until the 28th or 30th day depending on how many you get. Talk to your doctor and explain the busy work week ahead and maybe he'll approve it to be filled early... But with so many laws regarding medications I wouldn't count on it... But at least you'll have it in your hand so you don't have to go to the doctor during your busy week.
Posted 1/27/2014 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
You can ask your doc for a vacation override or whatever they call it at your office. My doc has done it a few times over the years no problem.
Posted 1/27/2014 9:47 AM (GMT 0)
Mtg I don't know what kind of Dr you have or even what state you live in but I can tell you that your situation with getting meds early for vacations ,running out ,whatever is Not the norm we're seeing these days.

Most drs hold to the contract regardless of the reason you need or want early meds. In many cases its not up to the Dr because the Rph will follow the DEA guidelines on dispensing class II meds .
Posted 1/27/2014 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, I too have seen the vacation release happen before (like 6 months ago and for my actual honeymoon), so it does happen. I think it really is state by state. Being in CA has made my CP more flexible. And it also depends on the *doctor*. Some pain specialists have been burned too many times and won't bend for anything. This whole process has made me REALLY aware that I want to get off all of my medications. It really takes way too much of my time and energy to manage, you know?

So everything worked out. I was able to grab my short term on Saturday and since I still have lots of Lyrica and fent patches from titrating, I will pick the rest up next week.

As a heads up, when I went to fill, my insurance told the pharmacy (through their portal) that I was one day early (8 days total) for a 'refill'. So it is possible to get it early, but it is totally subjective based on the pharmacist and doctor. Which I knew. Thankfully I have a great relationship with both.

My pharmacist kind of went above and beyond though. Since her place was closed this weekend, she called her colleague to fill it this weekend, basically asking him not to judge me as a typical 'early fill' patient - without meeting me or knowing me - and it was waiting for me to pick up at his location. I was thinking of getting her a little thank you gift (cute bath products, nothing of monetary value) and I know she'd like the stuff - does anybody know if this is against policy? I once sent a (non CP) doctor flowers as a thank you without issue. Just not sure if it comes across......wrong, know what I mean?
Posted 1/27/2014 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Anna we've had the question asked before and many of us have actually used things like cookies ,muffins etc to let them know you appreciate the above and beyond .

Where you get into ethical issues is not treating the entire staff and singling one particular person out. There are ways to let that person know your appreciation for them is based on their extra effort .

Say you send cookies with a note saying recently I had a great experience thanks to a member of your team going the extra mile for me and wanted to let you all know I appreciated the great service provided .
Posted 1/27/2014 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
That's a great idea; thanks Vickie.
Posted 1/28/2014 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Walgreens and my insurance let me refill when I hit 90% of pills used. For example I was able to fill my most recent on Sunday even though I would not be out until Wednesday.
Posted 1/28/2014 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Glad things worked out for you! I gave my doctors office bagels in December to say thank you for the care... I think its a great idea!
Posted 1/30/2014 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe AZ is different? Or maybe I've just been lucky with pain docs. I've never had them turn down a request when I have to travel for work or vacations. My pharmacy is awesome also. They should be! They fill thousands of dollars a month for me with all my stupid Meds! Haha. The pharmacy has never said no either with vacation override from doc. Ins made me wait once for a few days but that was just a normal ins deal.
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