View Full Version : Do you need to call for refills on the exact day?
I am finding that when I call for a refill of my pain medication the receptionist for my PM doc is making a fuss if it is not on the exact day that I called in the month before...So last month I called or refilled the script on May 2. I thought I could call and ask for the script on May 30 since it takes them 48 hours to refill the meds, but she seemed a bit upset that I again called two days early and I have not been called to pick up the script yet. I have decided that they treat me differently at this office since I started on this medication and I am going to start trying to get off the med. needed or not. I will go back on something that is not habit forming so that I do not have to rely on them for the meds. I will just take more of it or use something over the counter with it...or else just find another PM doc that will not treat me like this...but there is only one other PM doc in the area that prescribes drugs so I may find that very difficult....
Pharmacist.steve
06-01-2007, 12:39 AM
I am finding that when I call for a refill of my pain medication the receptionist for my PM doc is making a fuss if it is not on the exact day that I called in the month before...So last month I called or refilled the script on May 2. I thought I could call and ask for the script on May 30 since it takes them 48 hours to refill the meds, but she seemed a bit upset that I again called two days early and I have not been called to pick up the script yet. I have decided that they treat me differently at this office since I started on this medication and I am going to start trying to get off the med. needed or not. I will go back on something that is not habit forming so that I do not have to rely on them for the meds. I will just take more of it or use something over the counter with it...or else just find another PM doc that will not treat me like this...but there is only one other PM doc in the area that prescribes drugs so I may find that very difficult....
Apparently she cannot do the math... if you call in the day it is due and it takes them 48 hrs to turn it around - YOU ARE OUT OF MEDS.. If they give you a 30 day supply and there are 31 days in the month .. YOU ARE OUT OF MEDS!!.
I would talk to the doc..s/he may not realize how the patients are being treated on the phone.
jena1225
06-01-2007, 12:45 AM
I agree with Steve, and how they could NOT know this, is beyond me. I mean, that is what they DO!
Sorry I can't help as I get my meds from my PCP. My PM just refers them to her and she rx's them. He gave me the option, so I took it as to not have to get all my meds from 4 different docs!
But, I do hope you can find another PM so you don't have to take all those OTC pills if it does come down to that. But, if you CAN find a non-habit forming med that will do the trick, great! Hope it goes well :)
Exactly, Steve! I have not been called to pick up the script yet. The second of June falls on the weekend, so I do not know when to call. I really feel like leaving this practice, but will write a letter about the receptionist...but will the doc get the letter? She might get to the mail first...She could read it and dump it in the garbage.
I think I am being punished because I dared to ask for the medication when I called about the injection below...I am supposed to call on a separate line and I did not...but after I asked her I immediately hung up and called on the prescription line....and left all the pertinent information...
I called and asked her to ask my PM doc to write a script for an injection into the SI joint. I told her my surgeon wrote a script for one two weeks ago. It is to determine surgery, but I want to have another injection done to see if the injection might give me pain relief for a longer period of time. His partner did the first injection and would do the injection again. My PM doc does not do injections. If the injection gives relief for a longer period of time, I might opt for injections over surgery. She made a production over him writing the script saying he will have to see me first. If she took the time to look at the chart she would see that he is the one that suggested the problem with the SI joints to begin with....She scheduled an appt for two weeks away...at another office...I might just call and say forget it...I will call and ask my surgeon to schedule the injection...Why have to pay for an office visit? All this aggravation for an injection I just had done at their office....
I think I am going to wean myself off the pills somehow...someway...and just find another doc...
Jena,
I would not know what to take over the counter....I have a failed fusion...and with these meds my pain is a level 5 to 7 most days...I am going to call the other doc in the area tomorrow for an appt...I can get into another pain management clinic in a hospital as well and they will tell my pcp what to prescribe....like yours...I might go that route as well...It might be better to do that...
jena1225
06-01-2007, 01:34 AM
I will just take more of it or use something over the counter with it...or else just find another PM doc that will not treat me like this...but there is only one other PM doc in the area that prescribes drugs so I may find that very difficult....
Sorry, I misread your post. I guess I overlooked "with it" :o I did think it strange for you to go from rx med to OTC! lol
I do think your new idea is better :) Get a PM and go from there. If you can jump on it right away, you may not have to wean off what you are on. Just get this new rx from your current PM first!
I have found receptionists to be VERY unreliable. And if they are young, forget it!
cindybear
06-01-2007, 02:46 AM
some people are just rude...ASk your docter...He may not know that she is being rude to his patients..I know my Pain Doc would be furious with any of his nurses or people that work for him that treat his clientile badly..You never know, He may have had a few complaints allready and she may need to find a job where the public isn't concerned..Hey, If you need those meds to get around and to live any kind of life..Don't let no one upset that..I wouldn't..Don't you.!! Hang in there. Ya know, it might just be, they need a new girl...Hugs, Cindy
Pharmacist.steve
06-01-2007, 08:29 AM
If you send a letter mark it PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL.. if the doc has any normal business protocol... they staff will not touch it... and if they did ... they should at least be written up or FIRED!
Personally, I think that giving a 30 days supply is CRAZY.. it should be 28 days... it is always do on the same day of the week and weekends are always avoided as well as most holidays.
You might consider making your request via fax.. a few days ahead ... clearly stating when you last got it ... when you wanted to pickup the Rx and when you will be out of medication... no mis-communications here... There is no reason why the doc can't write on the Rx that the Rx can't be picked up by you on a certain date... A Pharmacist should have no problems with that... What happens when you get the Rx on the day it is due and the Pharmacy is OUT OF the particular med? AND it is a FRIDAY... you either have to try to find a pharmacy with it in stock or you're SCREWED! IMO, a doc has a certain degree of responsibility to help assure that a legit patient is kept from being thrown into withdrawal.
Either one of two things are going on here... the person on the phone is opiophobic and the doc or office manager is not aware of it or this person is reflecting the attitude of the office manager or doc.. if the latter is the case .... time to go looking for a new doc...
Rozia
06-01-2007, 08:30 AM
I deal with Medco health mail order . I call a few days before and order any others I have that are coming up soon. No questions asked .
And if I have a new script to refill after 3 months they know the insurance when its up.
jena1225
06-01-2007, 08:37 AM
Hi Rozia. Are you able to elaborate more on your post? I don't quite understand, but am interested in what I DO get! :D Thanks!
Jibokri5
06-01-2007, 10:02 AM
Hi Hon, See my answer to your other post. It might be time to find a new doc. My PCP's office held my pain mgmt referrals hostage unless I had another physical. My Pain doc's nurse called me and said, "Oh, they said they haven't seen you in years". :mad: OMG! A flat out lie from my PCP's front office staff.
I went for my physical yesterday, as soon as I walked in, they said, "Hi *****", they knew me by name, because I was always in there for other probs and check ups and the secretary said, "I don't know who said that, but thats ridiculous". I told my doc what happened too and she was furious.
I will tell you though, usually the doc is oblivious to what the front end staff does and says. They also say the front end staff is a reflection of the doc in back, but while its mostly true, in a few cases its not. The nurse even changed the dosing of my migraine med when she called it in, wanting 15 fiorinal to last me 2 months! :mad: My doc had no idea of that either.
So, either write a letter to the doctor writing "personal and confidential", a nice one, asking what the policy is, and explain whats happening when you call for med refills or....last resort, book an appt for a consultation with your doc if need be. I've done that too.
Good luck and if all else feels, move on. My pain doc writes my scripts each month, one day earlier than when it was filled last. Last month, all 4 were filled on the 5th, this time, they are dated on the 4th. He also knows I must see him a week prior due to some meds having to be special ordered.
jena1225
06-01-2007, 10:12 AM
Why is it that when you fill a controlled rx at the pharm, you are allowed to do so up to 3 days early, but not at the PM??
I AGEE TALK TO THE PROVIDER , tell him about the drug nazi out front he should end it , ,,,,,,,,,, david aka 911
I have an appt to see him in a few weeks and I think I will ask him what is going on with the scripts...how he wants me to call in for refills and if he is not comfortable with me on this drug. If not, can he prescribe something else. I do not feel I get great pain relief from this drug anyway...so if he wants to try something else, I do not have a problem with that....but I am not going to a Spinal Cord Stimulator...He already told me it would not work...and now seems to be pushing for it...
Pharmacist.steve
06-01-2007, 12:09 PM
Why is it that when you fill a controlled rx at the pharm, you are allowed to do so up to 3 days early, but not at the PM??
This may be more of a insurance payment issue or the pharmacy has a policy.. because they understand that things don't always goes as planned.
Gimpy
06-01-2007, 12:27 PM
You are lucky that you don't have to go see your dr. every month for your scripts. It's a trade off I suppose. Mine will not give any refill for a narcotic without seeing you, period. No exceptions, I must see him every month. He is good though about coming in early if you run out, within in reason anyway. He will refill muscle relaxers and Lidoderm patches, but no narcotics, don't even ask. He is covering his butt and I don't blame him a bit. When they DEA audits his business they will find everything in order and he'll be protected.
I understand not wanting to pay for all those office calls, but maybe they want to see you before the injections because it's an invasive procedure and they want to make sure they are getting it right. It's good that they aren't just willing to have you turned into a pin cushion without making sure the rx is written for the proper procedure and placement. It will give them a chance to go over the notes to make sure he didn't report something inaccurate, thus leading to a misplaced injection. Then you'll be paying for that procedure twice.
Can't win to lose when it comes to the paying game. We have to play by their rules. It sucks sometimes though.
Hugs, Linda
krashleen
06-01-2007, 12:29 PM
I am just getting to come in every month, and I am personal pay right now. I had been having to come every month for my scripts. I haven't had early scripts, but once due to vacation and my insurance allowed me to fill early once a year due to that reason.
Steve,
It is not an insurance issue or pharmacy...I just switched to a new pharmacy..and they are very nice...I am very careful about when I call this in...The last script was dated May 2 and I called for this script on 30th of May. They want 48 hours notice at my docs office...so I thought since it was last filled on the 2nd of May that I should call on the 30th so that I could pick it up today on the 1st to be filled because of the weekend...Tomorrow is the 2nd of June...
A few months ago I called it in four days early because of a holiday...and she really let me have it then...so I have been very careful about calling it in almost exactly on the day...She is also supposed to call me when it is ready for pick-up...She did not do that...I finally called this morning and asked...It is ready for pick-up...Though they need 48 hours they usually call the same day to say the script is ready...at least in the beginning they were doing it that way..
It is odd...When I first started using this drug...I would just call up and order the script. Almost the same day I was called and told to come pick up the script that it was ready....but now that I have been on this drug for over a year it seems as though the attitude has changed....Could that be what it is? Maybe I was not supposed to be on this drug for so long? They thought I would have the surgery, get well and then get off the drug. That has not happened though because the pain from the surgery has stayed the same and gotten a little worse actually. We are trying to determine the pain generator....They think it might be the pelvic screw...but I do not really think so...and I am not ready to allow surgery to find out...at least I do not think so...I have an appointment to discuss this with my pain doc in a few weeks...
Edited to say...Gimpy and Krashleen,
As a new patient I saw my PM doc every month for the first nine months...I now see my PM doc or his PAs every other month for follow-up appts...They do not prescribe meds without being seen and I keep my appts faithfully. He also just did an EMG...and his partner just did a SI joint injection...I always provide copies too of any MRIs I have done on my spine or joints... and make him aware of appts with surgeons. I make him aware of everything that is going on. He also writes scripts for PT for me. He has written scripts for me for bloodwork and other tests as well. He is a very good doc and we have a good relationship.
Mark N
06-01-2007, 02:30 PM
Gloria, Steve was telling Jena her question was a insurance reason not a pharmacy one. I have the same thing with my meds, the pharmacy will fill whatever my doctor prescribes but insurance won't pay for it unless it is within 3 days of needing a refill.
It sounds like you need a new PM Gloria or he needs a new nurse. You are not doing anything wrong and I would follow Steve's advice about how to handle this. If you aren't comfortable with this doctor or can't talk to him about your concerns then it is time to find another doctor.
Gymnast_Navy_Wife
06-01-2007, 04:40 PM
Please forgive me ahead of time if I am too off topic with my reply or if it doesn't make much sense.....
I understand your frustration with the med situation. While I am not on narcotics or any type controlled substance, I am on other meds that I "must have" (seizure meds, pain meds, etc ) and my insurance/pharmacy will not fill them more than 5 days in advance. I know this sounds like no big deal, BUT, the problem is-- since its an automated refill call in system, they do not tell you if the pharmacy is out of stock/doesn't carry the med, etc until you go and try to pick up the med --which the call in system requires 2-3 days to get ready. And, i have very limited choices of Pharmacies (when I call in the refill I have to pick from 5 military pharmacies to get it refilled at )-- and not all of them carry the same formulary/meds (one time the pharmacy decided to stop carrying my birth control and changed it to a non formular/ special order med without bothering to let me know,etc etc,) so..... leaves in one in that "what am I going to do now.... "
As for the office staff-- personally, I'd put in a call to the doctor-- asking him/her to specifically return the call (vs the nurse) and if the secretary asks what its regarding, simply say a "confidential" or personal issue. Often times they doctors (although they should), simply aren't or may not be aware of whats going on. I've had the "office staff frustration/imcompentcy, etc" issues happen several times, and more often than not they doctor was not aware of it-- and upon nicely (aka non confrontational-- just state the problem and how you want to work together with everyone to achieve best outcome, etc ) mentioning it to him, usually gets resolved.
Hang in there and hope things get worked out !
:) GNW
Rozia
06-01-2007, 05:03 PM
I guess I dont understand what yall are saying . when I get down to about a weeks supply I call in the mail order drug company and they say ok . If by chance I have a med from a local Pharmacy when I get down to 2-3 tab I call in for a refill. they (Walgreens) say ok . If its a narcotic I have to get a new scrip everytime.
jena1225
06-01-2007, 05:10 PM
Rozia, they are talking about getting the new rx from the PM, not filling it. And they are not using the internet...
I have to go in every month. I see the doctor one month, her nurse the next month, the doctor the month after that, etc. They always give me 30 days' worth, no matter if the appointment is a couple of days early or late. But it all works out and I have not run out.
I wanted to say that, if you like your doc, don't give up on the doc just because of a rude receptionist unless it gets REALLY bad. I have had a couple of docs with incompetent receptionists but I kept the docs because it was worth it.
Try saying, "May I leave a message for the nurse/doctor?" next time the receptionist gives you trouble. At most clinics I've gone to, they pretty much have to let you leave a message for someone medical since the receptionist doesn't have the training to judge what is going on with you medically.
Be polite but firm about it, and see if it works.
debhun
06-01-2007, 10:04 PM
I went to a new PM yesterday and I was reading on the wall to call 5 day before RX runs out. I guess everyone has their ways. But it seem to me you are doing right. I would talk to the Dr about this.
Deb
When I was having alot of problems with a PM doc I told my neurosurgeon. He took care of me right away. Wrote my scripts and his office got me a new referral to another PM. If you have a good relationship with your family doctor, he may be able to help you get the meds you need until you can see another PM OR talk to your current PM about the problems you are having getting your script requests past the receptionist. There is always more than one way to skin a cat
GardeniaGirl
06-02-2007, 02:07 AM
My last PM doc had the absolute worst front office staff I have ever dealt with. I actually burst into tears one day because they were being so rude and rigid with me over a detail that was an innocent misunderstanding on my part.
I was thankful when he retired and one of my other doc picked up the PM scripts. The stress of dealing with those women really was not good for my overall health- especially since I went there once a month.
I would definitely try to talk to the doc and get clarification on HIS (or her?) policies. Then, discuss what you've been going through with the front office.
I understand PM docs and clinics need to do things very specifically to cover themselves.....but, what you are going through seems excessive even for that.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.