Pharmacy Frustration!!!

I wrote briefly about my frustration with my pharmacy in previous posts. I FINALLY got the issues resolved after 3 weeks of dealing with multiple pharmacies, and my husbands doctor thinking we were trying abuse the medications bc they had to contact several different pharmacies before we finally got it right. My insurance recently started requiring us to use a certain mail order pharmacies for any medication requiring more than 2 refills or they charge us a surcharge. After dealing with this mail order pharmacy for 2 weeks saying they didnt get the prescriptions, they couldnt verify the prescription was faxed from a doctors office, that they couldnt talk to me bc the could find my HIPA authorization, and lots of other issues I finally find out two days before my husband is due for his shot and after two weeks of trying to get it filled that I have to go through a specialty pharmacy. So the process started ALL OVER again :( Imagine my frustration.... So I figured I would share some information that I learned from my experience in an attempt to save someone else from the same situation. When dealing with fertility meds its not as easy as the doctor call it in and you pick it up in an hour - please take a second to read all the information below bc I promise it will save you ALOT of frustration.

First things first!! If you are a spouse of the one receiving the medications but you are the one that typically handles ordering refills and pick up of the meds then
 make sure the pharmacy has your spouses written consent to speak with you. This will make it so much easier and will help avoid frustration. If you are required to fax or email it I would request confirmation of receipt so that you know it is on record prior to you needing to discuss any medication or medical information. I would go ahead an give consent from both spouses incase it is needed. **Same thing with the doctors!! That way you can speak with your spouses doctor incase they call and your spouse is not around.**

Second ~ call your insurance to get an explanation of coverage for every new medication prescribed 

*Ask about the copay of the specific medications

*Ask about benefit limits  (I found out our benefit limit was only $5000 and we are pretty close to meeting that, but since we are at the end of our policy we should be fine)

*Ask if it specialty prescriptions and if they require a certain pharmacy

Ask Your Doctor

*Make sure you understand what you are being prescribed and why - have them write down the medications being prescribed, dosage, and directions!
*Ask about side effect
*Make sure you know how to use the medication properly ~ if it is an injection make sure you know what size syringe and needle you need, how and where to inject it, AND how to mix/dilute it if needed to get the proper dosage

Mail Order Pharmacies
*CONFIRM the prescription prior to it being shipped - make sure it reads exactly how the doctor instructed you! Had I not done this I would have received 36 boxes instead of 36 bottles (8 boxes) of a prescription and my benefit limit would have been reached in one prescription and there would have been nothing i could have done about it

*Never keep your card on file (bc if they accidentally fill the wrong prescription and charge you for it there is nothing you can do) So instead ask that they invoice you or you can pay when the prescription is ready to be shipped.

*Refrain from auto refill when dealing with high copay medications ~ that way you can confirm with you doctor if you should continue the medication so you dont waste your money on medication you do not need.
*Get the direct number and extension to one customer service rep that you can communicate with until the prescription is in your hand, they will try to tell you they can insure this or they dont have a direct line, then I would ask to speak to a supervisor bc you can not afford to have any issues. Its so aggravating to have to explain your story every time you call.
*IF the mail order pharmacy can not get you your medications in time and you insurance requires you get the medication via the mail order pharmacy ask for a "Retail Override" - this is where they can call the prescription into a retail pharmacy for you and allow you to get the prescription without the surcharge!

Walk In Pharmacies
ALWAYS double check your medications before you leave the pharmacies. Prescriptions are non returnable and non refundable! If for any reason something doesn't look right do not be afraid!
*More than likely the retail pharmacy will not have fertility meds in stock so do not delay in getting the prescription to the pharmacy. If your doctor sends it electronically follow up with the pharmacy to ensure they got it and ask for expected delivery date of you medications.
*Be sure to ask for the syringes/needles - they should offer them when they see you have an injectable. (you can also order the syringes/needles online for cheaper than the pharmacy)