Recomendations for Mail Order Pharmacy??? Opinions Please!

[AustinWesley]

Hey All,

Wanted to see if I could get some insight on the various mail order pharmacies.   I have a 3 month RX for my meds I want to send in, but I've heard of some bad mail in programs.

Recently, one of my friends did this and there was a total screw up and they overcharged him, only filled part of the order, and it was late causing him to miss a few doses.

I'm wondering which mail order pharmacy is the best with good customer service and I've heard of some that send vitamins and freebies with orders, but can't recall where I got that info. before.

Your opinions and experiences would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Wesley

[Buckmark]

Wesley,

If you get a choice of mail order pharmacies you can choose from, you are lucky.
With my insurance, I am forced to use mail order to fill my prescriptions with
Medco for any long-term meds. They have never screwed up anything.  But the
response time has varied anywhere from 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks.  Also, if they
have any questions about what the doctor has written on the prescriptions
(which happened to me once), that throws a wrench into the whole process.

The thing I like is that I can request a refill a month in advance, allowing me to
build up a bit of a medication "cushion".

Henry

[Jerry71]

Hey Wesley I get my Meds through Bioscrip Pharmacy Services.

There address is: 2787 Charter Street Columbus, OH 43228 they have a toll free number that is 1-800-677-4323

Order my meds from them and get them the same week I put the order through.

[Basquo]

With my insurance I have to use the mailorder pharmacy that they run, which is okay, but they also have contracted with some national chains to offer the mailorder price but through a local outlet, which in my case is Wal Mart. You might check with your plan to see if they do that; I like to be able to see the meds in my hand and not worry that they're sitting on a hot loading dock somewhere, or delivered to my neighbor by mistake (which has happened.)

[ademas]

Medco did great for 3 years. 
Just don't throw anything complicated at them (like a change-of-address...)
My biggest gripe with Mail Order pharmacies (all of 'em) are the voice-recognition automated customer service bots that find such creative ways to prevent you from speaking with a live person.

[pozniceguy]

I have been using Expresscripts for more than 3 yrs..used to use MEDCO but insurance changed to the new one.... very easy to use..once you get in the system you just reorder on line usually about two weeks before due....they even send reminders if you want them ....
One caution..no matter which one you use keep copies of everything you send them....all of these companies use multiple sources for the meds that they send you..so no one "place" has all the information..it is all done on line......I have found it is very easy to "talk to a pharmacist " at Expressscripts...even with the  annoying voice mail they put you through...... 2 nd thing be sure you understand Dr's instructions....they will delay filling prescription if there is any anomaly...if DR signs for " as written"  they will attempt to convert to generic... and be sure the scrip covers one year worth of meds.....

Overall good results...usually end up with a two week cushion of meds....

Nick

[Coffeechick88]

the only mail order pharmacy I'm allowed to use with my insurance is Expressscripts. (www.expressscripts.com)  I have never had problems with them and it is very easy to reorder.  They can give you reminders as well.  They allow me to refill much earlier than other insurances as well.  I also have never had problems with the customer service people--they were always nice and helpful.

[AustinWesley]

Thanks you guys!  I totally forgot to check with United (My insurance carrier) to see who I have to use or if I have choices.   I'll tell ya though after hearing about my one friends situation I will be sure to have a couple weeks supply on hand just in case.

If I run across that other online pharmacy which another friend liked which sends vitamins I'll be sure and let ya'll know.

Peace!

Wesley

[Oceanbeach]

Have never used mail order pharmacy.  In an issue where timely payment and service is so important, I prefer a local pharmacy who can and will work with my medical provider so all refills are placed on time.

Medicare Part D was a perfect example of why this is important.  Some of my meds which were on the formulary, required extra paperwork.  This was done between my medical provider, my local pharmacy and my pharmacy provider.

I tried using Longs Drugs briefly but they failed to keep HIV medications in stock and if a refill was not taken care of promptly, the stock on hand could have easily been cancelled while waiting for the new shipment to arrive.  I have known other who were having similar problems with Rite Aid.  The Pharmacy Tech who you would meet every month is worth his/her weight in gold when it comes to insuring your life prolonging medications are available for pick up on time.  Have the best day
Michael

[AustinWesley]

OK, I got the 411 out of my insurance carrier.  Damn, I need a drink after all that ; )

So, I'm presently on Sustiva/Truvada and can get a 90 day supply through them if I use their RX by mail deal for $40 copay.

However, if I switch to Atripla I can get the 90 day supply for a $20 copay.  

According to them as long as it's a different name I can go ahead and order the Sus/Truvada refill now and submit the same day the Atripla deal to their mail order for 90 days.  This way I have about a 4 month supply on hand.  

So that is what I'm gona do cause Atripla is essentially the same gig and it would save me $ and then I can pay for my acupuncture and massage co pays ; )

I also asked about mailing drugs which require special temperatures etc.   I think that gal prolly has a headache as well with all my questions ; )  According to them if this is the case then I will be notified ahead of shipping and if necessary drugs are shipped via temp. sensitive manner.

So, there ya have it with United Healthcare!    Thank God I have insurance!

And thanks to those who replied.

The other deal I learned about was for those on ADAP and they send the free vitamins so soon as I have the 411 I will post it here so all of those who need that can take advantage.

Wesley

[Esquare]

I'm using a company called MedExpress and they have been wonderful so far. They call me a week prior to each refill and work with my doctor well to get the prescription refilled.  Here is their website: http://www.1800medexpress.com/

[Coffeechick88]

Wow, a 20 or 40 dollar copay?  I want your insurance.

[pozniceguy]

Wesley , I live in Texas as well and when the weather is "hot" as it frequently is..the company calls to be sure someone will be here when package is delivered and most of the time it is a small foam cooler with frozen ice packs inside...with the meds sealed in plastic zip bags.....I think I have about  100 of the ice packs now...I usually give the chests to friends and relatives to use as small coolers.

Nick

[AustinWesley]

Hey Nick,

I was a little worried about that, but good to know.   

Hey you guys.   Here is the link that Mikey wrote about Mom's Pharmacy:

http://mikeysantacruz.blogspot.com/2006/03/moms-pharmacy.html

I'm not certain all the info is still current, but according to him they will accept ADAP, send free vitamins with each order, prepackage your daily meds, and even send a PAGER for free to remind you of times to take your meds.   Sounds like a pretty good deal.

Wesley

[bocker3]

I will give one bit of advice -- pay close attention to the actual deliverer of your meds.  I use Aetna Home Delivery Rx -- they are great.  The call me prior to shipping and ask me which day I want to receive it.  Due to the cost of the meds, they send it UPS Next Day Air -- Signature Required (delivery guaranteed by 10:30 am).  One time I caught the UPS guy deliver to my neighbor's -- leaving it on the front step.  I hollered to him and made him bring it to me.  I let that one go, but the next shipment still hadn't arrived by 11:30, so I call UPS and they said that it was delivered at 10:00 and signed for "by a Mike".  I told them that I was Mike and assured them that I had not signed for anything.  They called their "guy" and then called me back, saying he would be here momentarily.  Once he arrived, he gave me the box and ran back to his truck, without my signature.  I then called Aetna to let them know that they paid for a service (delivery by 10:30) that they didn't get.  Then I called UPS back and told them that the next time someone says I signed for something when I didn't and then bring it to me and don't ask for my signature, that I will say I never received anything.  They won't have my actual signature and will be paying for new medicines that run about $7,000 for the 90 day supply that they will be replacing.  I have not had an issue with UPS since. 
So, I love the mail pharmacy -- they pack my meds in one box, with a small styrofoam cooler with my Norvir on ice and everything else in the box.  They let me order every 2 months, so I've built up a nice extra supply.  Just watch out for the delivery service!!

Mike

[AustinWesley]

Hey Mike,

Yes, the UPS guys out here are notorious for doing that.   I suppose at least with UPS you can get a tracking number and keep tabs on shipping.

I also had planned to build up a little stockpile of meds so in case I should ever loose my health insurance I won't have to panic.   At least with the mail order deals you can get usually a 3 month supply to have on hand for traveling or emergencies.

Good advice!

Wesley