Speaking of having scripts filled........ the new thing in my community ......... no longer do docs hand you a written script to be filled. If you want/need a script, they will ONLY send it electronically directly to your pharmacy. They also check your pharmacy record everytime they submit a script. The patient no longer can leave the doc's office and decide whether to fill a script or not. Unless you decline it before you leave the doctor's office, it will be filled. Of course, you have the option, NOT to pick it up. Docs no longer have "prescription pads" in my area.

Oh, another new thing here is even though a script is "valid" for a year, docs will only authorize refills for about 3 months. They can be refilled beyond that time frame but the pharmacy MUST contact the physician's office for authorization. It has become very strict getting ANY type of script filled. This even applies to a script for blood sugar test strips, anything by prescription. Anti-hypertensives, cholesterol meds, anything. I asked the pharmacist if this was because of the doc, a pharmacy policy, an insurance stipulation, a state regulation, or because of ObamaCare and I was told they did not know why but it was across the board with all scripts and docs. I have 4 different docs prescribing my meds for my various conditions and from various specialties so I know it is NOT doc specific. Maybe it is a new state regulation.

I have been on most of my prescription medicines for YEARS, none are "pain" meds or in any special "class" so I do not know what the big deal is lately.

I would be curious to hear from others on Neuro if they have experienced anything similar in different areas of the US.

I've noticed it as well. I'm not on any "controlled" meds or any narcotics.

Personally, I like the fact that the script is waiting at the pharmacy for me. No little pieces of paper to keep up with. No wondering if the pharmacist can even read what the doctor wrote. This way it makes for a reduced chance of errors on the pharmacy's part. Plus less "paper work" is always a good thing.

Ours can get sent to the pharmacy electronically, or printed off the doc's computer and handed to us. Some have to go to a specified pharmacy because of insurance; others not.

Errors can creep up either way. Electronic prescriptions are a bit of a sore spot. There's little way for a patient to spot an error and have the doctor fix it until it's being picked up. For those that go a long way and are filled mail order, this can be a major hassle. The battles with ins. company and their specified pharmacy never cease; incompetence abounds. YMMV (at least I hope it does!)

Doc

The most inconvenient thing for me is the re-authorization every few months for meds I have taken monthly for years and are valid for a year but need re-authorization every 2 or 3 months. I go to pick up my scripts and they will have all but one or two and say they are still waiting for the doctor's office to authorize. That means another trip to the pharmacy. It is very difficult for me to make the trip ONCE a month and now I am having to go more than once. I am now trying to fill my scripts one day earlier each month so that I do not run out if I have to wait for authorizations. For insurance reasons, I can not refill until at least 25 days have past since last filled.

I now have to call the pharmacy every month to be sure they have ALL been filled before I make the trip. My hearing is not good so I resent having to "call" the pharmacy. I order my refills online. What has and has not been filled is NOT online. It is either a phone call or an additional trip to the pharmacy.

Hi Doc,

You are so right..... incompetence abounds is an understatement in today's world.

I have a few scripts that are PRN, as needed. When I have a doctor visit, the medical assistant will send my pharmacy the FULL list of my meds and they fill the ones that I do not need since I have some remaining since they are NOT taken daily.

I have to catch that when I pick up at the pharmacy AND the pharmacy has taken time to fill something that I decline.

I see some advantage to having your prescription history made available to your doctors in an attempt to STOP doctor shopping for meds but not everyone is trying to get meds for which they do not need. This information seems to be available to governmental agencies that have no business knowing what medications I take. I guess doctor/patient confidentiality has gone the way of the dinosaur.

PS. A little off topic but I was shocked and NOT happy when I discovered that every patient's BMI is being "reported".

I live in Michigan. My podiatrist and psychiatrist write out prescriptions on a hand jpad still. My GP and gastroenteerologist write electronically send to the pharmacy. The hospital prints out a prescription from their computer system. So, lots of different ways it can be done here.