Prescription delivery: a guide for family members and caregivers of injured workers

How it generally works

The prescriptions belong to the injured worker, and so does the claim. The doctor sends prescriptions to a pharmacy, and if that pharmacy delivers, the medication comes to the door. The pharmacy uses the worker's claim details to process it.

As a caregiver, you can often help with the practical side — being home for a delivery, keeping a medication list, calling with questions. But pharmacies and insurers have privacy rules, so they may only discuss details with you if the injured worker has authorised you.

Rules differ by state and by claim. The worker's adjuster can explain anything specific to their claim, ideally with the worker on the call or having given permission.

• The prescriptions and claim belong to the injured worker
• Delivery brings medication to the door
• Privacy rules may limit what pharmacies share with you
• Ask the worker to authorise you if needed

Questions to ask

Make sure the injured worker has authorised you to talk with the pharmacy if needed. Ask the pharmacy what they need for that — some have a form or a simple verbal consent process.

Then ask the practical questions that make day-to-day caregiving easier.

• Pharmacy: What do you need so I can speak with you on their behalf?
• Pharmacy: Who do we call with questions about a delivered medication?
• Doctor: Which side effects should we watch for?
• Doctor: Can the prescription go to a pharmacy that delivers?
• Adjuster: Is there anything you need from us for the claim?

What to have ready

Keep one list of all medications and who prescribed them. Injured workers often see several doctors — the treating physician, a specialist, their own family doctor — and a single list helps everyone avoid duplicates and interactions.

Store the claim details in the same place, along with phone numbers for the pharmacy, the doctors and the adjuster.

If you help with doses, a simple chart showing what was taken and when can prevent double doses or missed ones, especially when more than one person in the household is helping.

• Medication list: name, dose, when to take it, who prescribed it
• Allergies and other health conditions
• Claim number and adjuster's contact
• Doctors' and pharmacy phone numbers
• Delivery address and a reliable phone number

About the Prescriptions.plus Home Delivery Program

Prescriptions.plus is an educational site, not a pharmacy. Through the Prescriptions.plus Home Delivery Program, doctors can send prescriptions to our licensed partner pharmacy, and medication is dispensed by our licensed partner pharmacy and delivered to the patient's door.

The injured worker, or you on their behalf, can ask their doctor whether a prescription can be sent to our partner pharmacy. A $5 dispensing fee applies, and a delivery fee applies. Eligibility depends on the prescription, the doctor and the claim.

Some medications, such as Schedule II controlled substances, may not be available by mail — your partner pharmacy will advise. The prescribing doctor decides refills.

If something goes wrong

Watch for side effects and call the doctor or pharmacist with concerns. Drowsiness, confusion, stomach problems, rash or unusual behaviour are all worth a call. Write down what you noticed and when.

If a delivery is late or a prescription is held up, ask the pharmacy what's missing, then contact the adjuster. If the worker has a workers' comp attorney, let them know.

If the person you care for has trouble breathing, chest pain, severe confusion, fainting or signs of an allergic reaction, don't wait. Medical emergency? Call 911.

Caring for someone is tiring. If you're struggling, tell their doctor — they may know of local support.