Those members who use Aetna's mail-order pharmacy can either get a prescription at an alternate delivery location or
refill a prescription that may have been lost, damaged or destroyed.
The mobile apps that are being offered by the chains allow smartphone users to
refill a prescription by simply scanning the QR code that is provided on a prescription bottle.
CVS' new site lets patients view and print their prescription history, order refills, choose or change their pickup location, receive reminders when it's time to
refill a prescription, request a prescription renewal, be alerted to generic alternatives and transfer prescriptions from another pharmacy to CVS.
In Wisconsin, the state pharmacy board recently imposed a $20,000 fine on Neil Noesen, who refused to
refill a prescription for birth control pills presented by a university student.
"And you don't get paid to
refill a prescription." Steps included:
"In most cases, beneficiaries at these sites will not have to leave their homes just to
refill a prescription. All they have to do is pick up the phone, call the pharmacy that has their original prescription, select the refill-by-mail option, and CMOP does the rest," says Army Col.
Then, Walgreens made it easy to
refill a prescription over the phone, without having to talk to someone and potentially be put on hold.
Walgreens executives say that refill reminders and the ability to
refill a prescription from a mobile phone are likely to have a huge impact on driving down health care costs.
Caremark PBM members also can use the app to register on or log in to Caremark.com and
refill a prescription, check prescription order status, view prescription history, request a new prescription, check drug cost and find a nearby pharmacy.
* Receive reminders when it is time to
refill a prescription.
This requirement will create delays for patients, for parents with sick children, and others, such as elderly and disabled individuals, who will have to come to the pharmacy to sign a consent or to send someone on their behalf to do so, before the pharmacist may fill or
refill a prescription.