Refills and home delivery for workers' comp prescriptions

How it generally works

When your doctor writes a prescription, they decide whether, and how many, refills are allowed. Some prescriptions come with refills already authorised; others have none, which means you'll need a new prescription from your doctor each time.

If refills are authorised, the pharmacy can usually prepare the next one when you're due. For a delivery pharmacy, that means the refill is delivered to your door. If no refills remain, the pharmacy or you will need to contact the doctor, who decides whether to send a new prescription.

Workers' comp adds a layer: the refill may need to be covered under your claim, just like the original. Rules differ by state and by claim, so your adjuster can tell you whether anything special applies.

Your doctor may also want to see you before authorising more of a medication, especially if it's one they review regularly. That's normal, and it's another reason to ask early rather than waiting until the last dose.

• The prescribing doctor decides whether refills are allowed
• Refills may still need to be covered under your claim
• No refills left means asking your doctor for a new prescription
• Rules differ by state and by claim

Questions to ask

Ask at the appointment, when the prescription is written, rather than when the bottle is nearly empty. Knowing the plan ahead of time is the simplest way to avoid gaps.

• Doctor: Does this prescription have refills, and how many?
• Doctor: How should I request a refill or a new prescription?
• Doctor: Will I need a visit before another prescription?
• Pharmacist: How do I request a refill for delivery?
• Adjuster: Do refills need separate approval under my claim?

What to have ready

Keep a simple list of medications, doses and refill dates. It can be a sheet on the fridge, a note on your phone or a small notebook — whatever you'll actually check.

Contact your doctor before you run out, not after. A good habit is to check your supply well before the last few doses, so there's time to sort out anything unexpected with your doctor, the pharmacy or the claim.

• Medication names and doses
• Number of refills left on each
• The date you'll next run out
• Your claim number and adjuster's contact
• Your doctor's office and pharmacy phone numbers

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 delivered to the patient's door.

Ask your doctor whether your 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. The prescribing doctor decides refills.

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

If something goes wrong

If a refill is late, ask the pharmacy whether it's waiting on your doctor, on the claim, or on something else. Then contact whoever is holding it up. Ask your adjuster whether anything is needed from you.

If you're about to run out, call your doctor's office and say so plainly. Don't stretch a supply by skipping doses unless your doctor tells you to, and never stop a medication suddenly without medical advice.

If you notice new side effects or a reaction, call your doctor or pharmacist. Medical emergency? Call 911.