Buying medicine can be expensive. therefore, people are always looking for ways to save money. A mail order pharmacy can potentially provide some financial relief compared to buying your medications from traditional pharmacies.
A Mail Order Pharmacy: The use of mail order pharmacies has increased dramatically over the decades, as billions of prescriptions are mailed to people each year. mail order pharmacies can be more convenient than a traditional pharmacy for people to get their prescriptions. They often work through your insurance plan, as there may be a price difference on your medication between mail order and local pharmacies.
Because mail order pharmacies may be beneficial to some but not to others, we’ll cover all the details on how to order your prescriptions by mail.
what is a mail order pharmacy?
A mail order pharmacy is a pharmacy that ships medications to patients by mail. this means that patients do not have to go to a local physical pharmacy to pick up their prescriptions. instead, the medication is delivered to the patient’s doorstep.
A mail order pharmacy will often fill your medication in a 90-day supply, while many traditional pharmacies will only provide a 30-day supply.
Some employers will offer a mail-order pharmacy program as part of their employee prescription drug benefits. If you’re not sure if your health insurance plan covers mail-order pharmacy, contact your insurance plan. they should be able to tell you if that is part of your benefits package and if there is a price difference.
why use a mail order pharmacy?
mail order pharmacies may provide additional benefits for certain people. the first and most obvious benefit may be comfort. With a mail order pharmacy, you don’t have to leave your home to wait in line to fill your prescription. this is especially beneficial if your local pharmacy is farther from your home than you’d like.
Another beneficial factor to consider is the convenient customer service of mail order pharmacies. Many of the programs offer 24/7 service through their website or by phone. this allows you to have any questions you may have answered quickly and conveniently.
One of the most significant benefits may be the larger supply a person can receive through a mail order pharmacy. typically, a patient can receive a 90-day supply of medication from her through the mail. this is significantly more compared to a typical 30-day supply that is often delivered at your traditional pharmacy.
The insurance provider can buy medications directly from the manufacturer, in many cases. This means that medications can be purchased in bulk, which helps reduce the cost of the medication. Having a 90-day supply also means less time and work on your part to get refills.
when not to use a mail order pharmacy
While there are many benefits to using a mail order pharmacy, there are some cases where it may not be worth it.
If you need your medication right away or are about to run out of your medication, using a mail order pharmacy may not be right for you. it may take a few days for your medication to be shipped or delivered. therefore, if you need a medication right away, it’s best to go to your local pharmacy to pick it up.
As many of you already know, the mail system can be unpredictable. you may have an estimated delivery date, but that date may change. also, some mail orders may require a signature in order to receive them. therefore, if no one is home to receive the medication and sign for it, you may experience even more delays before you can take it.
Delays in mail order prescriptions can also harm the drug if it is a drug that needs to be kept at a certain temperature. this includes medications such as insulin. insulin has to remain refrigerated to maintain its stability. however, if no one can receive the mail-order medication, then it may sit outside your door in the sun, causing it to go bad.
A mail order pharmacy may not be right for you if you prefer to speak with a pharmacist in person. some patients may have questions to discuss with their pharmacists about when to pick up their medications. this is not possible through mail order pharmacies.
If there is no price difference between your local pharmacy and a mail order pharmacy, it may not be worth it. it becomes personal preference at that point. however, it is always important to remember that packages can be damaged or stolen when mailed.
Is a mail order pharmacy different from an online pharmacy?
At first glance, mail order and online pharmacies may seem the same. really, the only thing similar between them is that they both deliver medicine to your doorstep.
mail order pharmacies operate through your health insurance plan. some may require you to have a specific health plan. online pharmacies do not work with your health insurance plan.
Online pharmacies work like pharmacies and may not accept your health insurance. It is important to note that there are some fraudulent online pharmacies. Fraudulent online pharmacies may try to sell you an illegal version of a drug that has not been approved by the FDA and can be harmful.
things to consider before using a mail order pharmacy
There are a few things to consider before jumping on the mail order pharmacy bandwagon. You want the most convenient and affordable way to get your medications. so, here are things to consider.
- How far do you live from your local pharmacy?
If your local pharmacy is a long drive away, then mail order may be right for you. but if your local pharmacy is down the street, it may not be worth it.
- Is it cheaper to get your medicine by mail?
If your medication is cheaper at your local pharmacy, it may not be worth it.
- Do you have a lot of questions about the medications you are taking?
If you have a lot of questions about the medicine you’re taking, you may benefit more from talking with a pharmacist face-to-face.
- Is your medicine saving your life and you will need it right away?
If you’re running low on life-saving medication, say insulin, then it’s best to go to your local pharmacy to fill the prescription right away.
- Are you sure your medication will work?
If you’re trying a new drug that you’re not sure will work, mail order may not benefit you. This is because, as mentioned above, mail orders can arrive in bulk. so if your medicine doesn’t work, you could be wasting almost 3 months of medicine. The same is true if you are experiencing serious side effects from a new medication.
- will your dose need to be gradually reduced or increased?
If your doctor has prescribed a medication that requires the dose to be gradually increased or decreased, having a 90-day supply by mail order may not be the best option.
how to find a mail order pharmacy
Many large health plans have options for mail order prescriptions. Most of the big health plans work with PBMs or Pharmacy Benefit Managers. some pbm’s include caremark, express scripts and medco.
if you have drug coverage with your health insurance plan, you should check to see if they have a pbm. this will help you get started on receiving your medication through mail order. In general, finding a mail order pharmacy depends on your health coverage and financial circumstances.
conclusion
We hope this has answered all of your questions about mail order pharmacies. For more advice, contact your doctor or health insurance plan.
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