rollaj
06-24-2008, 04:16 PM
I know there are many people paying for meds out of pocket, so I dont want to come off as whining when others may have it much worse...That being said.
Since percocet is a controlled substance, I am told:
1) it can not be prescribed with refills
2) I must go in for a check up everytime I need a refill.
(are these both true?)
So every time I need a refill (every month about) I must go in and pay a $25 copay for the Dr. to say "still hurts?" I say "yes" he writes a script.
Any way around this? with the $10 medicine copay, it means I pay $35 for a refill that should cost only $10
Since percocet is a controlled substance, I am told:
1) it can not be prescribed with refills
2) I must go in for a check up everytime I need a refill.
(are these both true?)
So every time I need a refill (every month about) I must go in and pay a $25 copay for the Dr. to say "still hurts?" I say "yes" he writes a script.
Any way around this? with the $10 medicine copay, it means I pay $35 for a refill that should cost only $10
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Fabrashamx
06-24-2008, 04:24 PM
Hi Rollaj,
Welcome to the pain boards. It is up to the doctor as far as seeing you, a doctor would probably not prescribe for long without getting investigated if he didnt do regular check ups.
It is federal law that schedual 2 meds cannot have refills on them, but some doctors allow patients to come in and pick up a written prescription and only see them every other month, depends on the doctor and the rules of his practice and malpractice insurance guidelines.
So refills against the law, but seeing you each month on the dot varies from doctor to doctor.
My doctor sees me every month as well, many doctors do prefer it and it is ideal for them incase they were ever investigated.
Do you have a diagnosis yet? sometimes that makes a difference.
You could always ask if he would be willing to see you every other month and let you come pick up a script in between, but dont be surprised or take it personally if he says no.
HTH!
Fabby
Welcome to the pain boards. It is up to the doctor as far as seeing you, a doctor would probably not prescribe for long without getting investigated if he didnt do regular check ups.
It is federal law that schedual 2 meds cannot have refills on them, but some doctors allow patients to come in and pick up a written prescription and only see them every other month, depends on the doctor and the rules of his practice and malpractice insurance guidelines.
So refills against the law, but seeing you each month on the dot varies from doctor to doctor.
My doctor sees me every month as well, many doctors do prefer it and it is ideal for them incase they were ever investigated.
Do you have a diagnosis yet? sometimes that makes a difference.
You could always ask if he would be willing to see you every other month and let you come pick up a script in between, but dont be surprised or take it personally if he says no.
HTH!
Fabby
Moldova
06-24-2008, 04:37 PM
I agree that this is up to the DR. I see my PM ones in 3 month. He prescribes my meds when I see him and gives me prescription to hold on to it when I need my refill. For example Oxy can't be prescribed over the phone, but Percocet no problem: he calls in and they refill it for me without a problem.
I think also depends on relationships between patient and a DR. He knows I am very responsible and will not refill meds before time, so he has no problem giving prescription for next 2 month. Or maybe Drs have another reason, who knows?
My co-pay is $40.00 for DR app who participate my insurance and the whole amount out-of network. I pay $100.00 for 3 month supply of Percocet (pharmacy co-pay) and $40.00 for one month supply of Oxy.
Not easy, you are so right!
Good luck to you.
I think also depends on relationships between patient and a DR. He knows I am very responsible and will not refill meds before time, so he has no problem giving prescription for next 2 month. Or maybe Drs have another reason, who knows?
My co-pay is $40.00 for DR app who participate my insurance and the whole amount out-of network. I pay $100.00 for 3 month supply of Percocet (pharmacy co-pay) and $40.00 for one month supply of Oxy.
Not easy, you are so right!
Good luck to you.
rollaj
06-24-2008, 04:39 PM
I have pretty standard (i think) lower back pain. MRI showed 3 herniated disks, and he said it looks like a little arthritis starting too. I guess I will ask next time I see him if I can do the every other month thing, the extra $25 isnt killing me, but it is certainly a waste.
rollaj
06-24-2008, 04:43 PM
I dont think it can be called in in NY, but I will check that too. I thought in regards to that, that percocet would be treated the same as oxy
badoldback
06-24-2008, 04:56 PM
Like Fabby, I have to see my PM every month. Initially I thought this was a hardship, but I've come to understand some of the benefits. Even with a patient load of over 800, every time I go in it's like picking up a conversation right where it left off. With some doctors you feel like he doesn't remember who you are, and just scans your chart before he comes in.
trowftd3
06-24-2008, 05:15 PM
I see my doc every three months. Sometimes she post dates prescriptions and sometimes I have to call and go pick them up every month. I'm just grateful I don't have to pay to pick up my prescriptions...I know some people here have to.
Moldova, Percocet is oxycodone with apap and it is schedule II just like Oxycontin. It can't be called in and can't have refills. At least this is my understanding.
Good luck. The copay certainly do add up...don't they!?!? I hate to add up our copays. As a family we fill 17 prescriptions a month. Ouch! ~Mush
Moldova, Percocet is oxycodone with apap and it is schedule II just like Oxycontin. It can't be called in and can't have refills. At least this is my understanding.
Good luck. The copay certainly do add up...don't they!?!? I hate to add up our copays. As a family we fill 17 prescriptions a month. Ouch! ~Mush
janewhite1
06-24-2008, 05:42 PM
My doctor has on occasion mailed me prescriptions for the stuff you can't refil. Which is nice, given that he doesn't take insurance and it costs me $250 to see him.
123dietdrpepper
06-25-2008, 12:18 AM
I too have to see my doctor. What gets me is he asks how I am doing, we chat for 5 minutes, he writes the scripts and he does not even exam me. Go figure.
Executor
06-25-2008, 12:55 AM
Scripts can be mailed, but each Doc has his/her own "house rules." Most large scale PM Clinics don't permit it because there is just too much potential for problems....Script gets "lost" so (1) they've got a script floating around somewhere and (2) then a follow up script must be mailed...Puts the patient @ risk for missing re-fills. As you can imagine, it's a lot easier for large clinics to have a "in person only" policy. However, some do it, and I imagine, they hand pick those they do it with.
As of late Dec 2007, the DEA relaxed it's federal regulations on CII post dated scripts. They now allow up to 3 months of post dated scripts for patients who are on regular regimens. For example, you go to the Doc on July 1 and he writes a script for Percs, effective immediately. Then, he gives you a second script dated July 1 (the day he saw you), but on the script it says "do not fill until July 31. He also gives you a third script dated July 1, but it says "do not fill until August 29." The three month supply scrips are all dated the day he saw you, with new scripts being effective exactly 30 days later.
However, like the mailing option, this is @ the Doc's discretion. My Doc for example allows some patients 3 months, some 2 months and some must come each month....Depends on the patient history, risk factor, and condition.
Hope this helps.
Ex
As of late Dec 2007, the DEA relaxed it's federal regulations on CII post dated scripts. They now allow up to 3 months of post dated scripts for patients who are on regular regimens. For example, you go to the Doc on July 1 and he writes a script for Percs, effective immediately. Then, he gives you a second script dated July 1 (the day he saw you), but on the script it says "do not fill until July 31. He also gives you a third script dated July 1, but it says "do not fill until August 29." The three month supply scrips are all dated the day he saw you, with new scripts being effective exactly 30 days later.
However, like the mailing option, this is @ the Doc's discretion. My Doc for example allows some patients 3 months, some 2 months and some must come each month....Depends on the patient history, risk factor, and condition.
Hope this helps.
Ex