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Tale of the Mail Order Rx(s)

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/2/2010 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
eyes Switched over to mail order scripts this year...compliments to my new insurance policy.  January has been a ride even though I had my Dr.(s) all write me "new" 90 day scripts.  I have to say the new pharmacy is quite interesting in that they do leave no rock unturned. They call me or email me at least 5 times daily as they process the orders which will take 5-11 days for me to receive.  I'm sure all of this sounds familar to some.  They are so big that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

Well, throw in a phone that refuses to hold a full charge in order for you to complete a whole conversation with this wonderful mail order service and it really gets fun!rolleyes

Then come to the sudden realization that this new company does not charge your credit/debit card by the "total invoice" amount...rather the individual prescription(s) amount and my God you have just created a three ring circus!shocked

While waiting for the prescription service to call about when I could expect shipment...my bank's fraud department calls to say there has been numerous charges by an unidentified entity and they've put a hold on my card!smhair  Oh, but wait...is that them now trying to buzz in on my conversation with the bank to tell me my credit card won't process and they can't ship my drugs!  Dang...who the heck knowsshakehead  the phone just died for the third time!skull  Somebody is going to die before this is over!

All in a day of a Crohnnie....isn't it lovely we can just sit in the bathroom all day with our folders in our laps and conduct business of all sorts!  Cudos to us all for being multi-tasked, creative and in literal gut wrentching positions and we still walk away with a sense of humor!yeah

Posted 2/2/2010 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, you made me laugh out loud. . . .more than once. I needed that.
Posted 2/2/2010 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Too funny, but I'm furious on the inside for you. Why do they have to make everything so dang complicated?
Posted 2/2/2010 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, I have the same phone, and on my land line,the number one, won't work!
After getting over not liking Medco telling me where to get my scripts,I enjoy
their services.(no one to argue to with)
It is so worth the 90 day supply to jump the hoops!(happy jumping)
Posted 2/2/2010 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the fair warning. I had to switch insurance companies and until I meet my deductible they haven't complained about my prescriptions, but after that I think they will "require" mail order. So now I know what I'm in for.
Posted 2/2/2010 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
So pillpopper you nailed the company did you! I'm so proud! Zanne, just make sure you don't transfer your current scripts and get everything filled so that you have a two week supply before asking your doctor(s) to fax in the new 90 day scripts. Else, ye will be left high and dry! Medicines such as Humira and the like come from Acredo, Medco's specialty pharmacy. These meds quite often require prior approval from your insurance carrier. If you are stuck in the endless cycle of waiting for the prior approval (such as I was for 17 days and I take my Humira weekly instead of bi-weekly) you can request an override from Medco to have at least one dose filled at your local pharmacy (once the prior approval is given). Even the doctor's office can not send in the new script until the prior approval is given. Your doctor's office is the one that initiates the prior approval from the insurance carrier. I'm sure all will be well once I get everything on schedule and established, however, it is rather annoying! Be aware that these scripts are (physically) filled by an automated pharmacy system (not a human). The pharmacist oversees the process. I for one will be counting and double checking every order. They were kind enough to give me 2 additional Lexapro in my bottle this time (must have been for all the anxiety they caused me)! Also, please keep in mind that the drugs will ship from seperate locations around the country and your pills may not always "look" the same because they come from different manufacturers. Antibiotics and short term scripts can still be filled at retail. Most scripts that have a generic will be the preference to fill with Medco (with your doctors approval). Generally, if a 90 day supply of a drug cost less than 100.00 they will bill you for it. However, when you place an order for multiple scripts they bunch them on one invoice which for me totaled well over the 100.00 and I had to pay in advance. They do have an automatic refill feature if you wish to give them a credit card number to hold on file. Above all else make sure you go to their website so that you can register, learn the system and track your order. Last but not least, refridgerated drugs are shipped overnight and require a signature upon delivery (unless you want to be financially responsible for them sitting on the porch all day). Hope this helps all with the lovely transition to mail order....Good Luck! Oh, by the way....I bought a new phone system yesterday....HISSSSSS!
Posted 2/2/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
This is why I have resisted mail order for so long! I hate change, change is not good! The only thing good about this will be that by the time I have to go to mail order (if I have too) is that I won't have to pay for it. I will already have met my deductible and all expenses will be my insurance companies. That is why they can force me to go to mail order! UGH. Oh and did I say, I hate change!
Posted 2/2/2010 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, about the only thing missing is the FDA intercepting, opening, and plastering your package with notices that they may confiscate it in the future, or them actually confiscating it! The former has happened to me once when ordering drugs from Canada.
Posted 2/2/2010 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any real trouble with my mail order meds but I do worry about the drugs being subjected to heat and cold.
GDen as a mail carrier I did notice that customs turned up the heat on meds from out of the country a few years ago. Ticked me off it did. They were not protecting us they were protecting the pharmaceutical company profits in my opinion. There is some risk though from bogus drug sellers but then GO AFTER the CREEPS not working folks trying to stay healthy and pay the rent.
Posted 2/3/2010 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
I just got a letter from Caremark telling me I have met my limit of picking up 30 day prescriptions at the pharmacy. I now have to get 90 day prescriptions through their mail order service or I will have to pay the full price of my prescriptions. I do not like mail order. I have used it many times before and did not like it. Oh well. I better get used to it as I have no other choice.
Posted 2/3/2010 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Three quick notes to the above post...

(1)did I mention that I still haven't received the balance of my 90 Humira script which was ordered on Jan. 21st! They practically swear it will be shipped tomorrow...hmmmm!

(2)If you do get into this situation of waiting for an override so you can get a "one" time fill at the local pharmacy. Request it from Medco as earlier stated...the Dr.'s office has no clue what an override is "pharmacy lingo".

(3) I wouldn't even want to think what would happen if someone stole my scripts out of my mailbox! Even though we live in a good "family" neighborhood, we have winding country roads that teenagers can't resist...sometimes they like to take out everyone's mailboxes with a baseball bat while cruising by at high speeds. This has happened twice to my mailbox and I couldn't catch the varmits either time. Told my husband we need to open a PO box and fill the mailbox out front with concrete so it will ring there sweet little arms off the next time they try it here!
Posted 2/3/2010 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Broom! I feel lucky that I have had a relatively pain free mail order experience. I use the mail order because originally the copay difference made it worthwhile. Last year I had no copay, but a huge dedcutible then coinsurance. When I ordered three months of Pentasa, they called me to confirm that it could go on my credit card due to cost but then shipped it right out. I am back to copays and will be refilling my Pentasa after I see my new GI next Monday. hoping all goes smoothly.

The one thing that I did not like is how I was "investigated" by case managers after I used the Medco site to research a medicine I was NOT taking. As soon as i looked up Humira on the site to find out how expensive it was (mostly for my reference in my job, not for me), the UHC case managers called me to discuss managing my care. This would have been useful if I was actually taking the drug (the RNs can sometimes get messes like yours cleared up). I jsut resented the fact that I looked one thing up and it sent them on a rampage to get involved in my care.
Posted 2/3/2010 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Oh lord, I used that site to look up a couple of meds my in laws were on and one my cat just got put on! The UHC nurses will be knocking my door down cause none of them are even close to anything that I take!
Posted 2/4/2010 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the heads up HabsHockey...I'll make sure my first search is for the drug Abilify. Maybe that will prevent the numerous phone calls.
Posted 2/4/2010 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
No prblem Broom...as I said in my note though...you might benefit from getting the RN case managers involved.  They may be able to straighten out the coordination of your mail order timing.  I have used them for that in the past.  I just did not want to get involved with them right now as I am very limited care and felt monthly calls were a waste of everyones time.  I do recommend using the RN case managers when you have problems with care or service.  They have some great connections usually and can sometimes help get people to think "out of the box" on care (boy I hate that phrase).

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