laws regarding pain medicine refills?

[GreyScale]

Does anyone have any idea where I can find out whether it is legal or illegal to ask a pharmacist to bypass insurance and allow me to pay cash for controlled substance? They are schedule III and some schedule IV. My prescription has valid refills on it. The pharmacist keeps saying it's illegal to allow me to pick it up earlier than usual. Yes, I'm running out sooner than usual, and my pain isn't controlled. I have an appoitment in april to fix this issue. I'm just curious what the law is in MIchigan regarding this subject? I googled it, but can't find a straightforward answer. I only get this medicine from one prescriber so it is not like I have multiple scripts floating around by different doctors. Thanks!

[Tuckamore]

Hello GreyScale,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Mangement Forum. I am very glad that you found us and took the time to post.

The question must depend on the state that you live in as my pharmacy will allow a refill only 48 hours early...and sometimes they will make you wait till 24 hours. It depends on how the prescription reads. For example mine says 1 to 2 every four hours. Technically I could take two every four hours and if you do the math they would refill it with in 24 to 48 hours before the completion of the number of tablets. Certainly in my state they would not refill it six days prior to the completion of the prescription. I attempted an early refill when I was going on vacation for convenience sake.

It has nothing to do legally with the insurance company. It has to do with the DEA. And again the amount you are allowed in a certain time period. However you are correct that the insurance company will not pay for a refill before the end of the prescribed time period. A new RX can change the time period and the insurance and the pharmacy will fill it as dated. At least that is true in my state.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck~

[RunningMom]

They want to make sure we are not taking more medication then allowed.  They are very strict with their rules.  If our scripts are changed, we are to give the clinic any unused medicined and they need to be destroyed at their office.  They are pretty good and understanding with the pain and they allow us to make appointments at any time.  We can also call the doctor after hours if we need to.  It's a really good pain management clinic and I'm sure they don't want to get into trouble with people over dosing or selling their meds.

[sandee1818]

While there are laws the pharmacist has to follow the pharmacies all have different rules regarding when you can get your refills. It is up to the pharmacist discretion as to how many days early a script can be refilled. The DEA ha on their website that oxycontin can be filled up to three days early but the pharmacy can decide when they will refill.
As for paying cash when you have insurance most pharmacist will not do this as it is a huge red flag when someone request they do this. I understand you have a legitimate reason for wanting to do so but you have to realize the pharmacist has to deal with those who try and deceive them on a regular basis so they are always on alert.
You can however call your doctor and ask him to call the pharmacist and then they will normally go ahead and refill it "early".
Good luck:)

[geminigirl1963]

I've only had one instance of needing to get a refill on my pain meds early (it actually wasn't an "available" refill - it was a new script, but same type of thing) - it was because my pain control had decreased and at my doctor's instructions, I had increased my medication, so therefore, ran out earlier than I would have if my dose had remained the same.  When I submitted the new script to be filled, of course, the insurance came back as it being too soon to be filled, so the pharmacist questioned it (with all due right).  I explained to him that my doctor had instructed me to increase my dosage and that was the reason behind the early refill.  The pharmacist was very understanding and kind - he simply asked that I have my doctor call him to confirm that a) he had told me to increase the dosage and b) that it was ok by him to fill the new script at the new dosage.  Once the pharmacist had spoke with my doctor, he was fine with filling the script and letting me pay cash for it (the insurance still was not able to cover the cost even with the new dosage amount - I'm presuming because of some sort of monthly limits or something).  

Again, this is not something that I normally do (have never requested a refill early or increased medication on my own).  I'm sure if you were to requests refills early often, then there may be some red flags raised - but this one instance for me, it was very easily explained and covered by a simple phone call from my doctor to the pharmacist.

[TrayCee]

pill counts are to make sure youre taking youre pills "as perscribed" & not selling them,

[TrayCee]

I have N E V E R heard of being able to refill controlled meds 6 days early!!

This is VERY unusual/unheard of in my part of the county.