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~

[Mollyrae]

Most are correct here. You are allowed to pay cash and pick it up 6 days early EXCEPT....the Pharmasist doesn't have to do this. They can with hold a script until the day it's to be dispensed. it's totally up to the Pharmacist. Good luck....

[Addict63]

Just curious. Why do they do a pill count and testing? What are they after? I also read of signed contracts on here.  When I was on Vicodin my primary care Dr. wrote the scrips and I just filled them.

[RunningMom]

Nurseaudrea is right, most pharmacies will allow you to fill 6 days early.  Good luck with this.  My pain is uncontrolled quite a bit and I know what it feels like.  I'm stuck with icing it and I'm not allowed to take more then what I'm prescribed.  The pain is so bad that it usually gives me panic attacks along with the uncontrolled pain.  Also, my pain clinic does pill counts at any given time, which I'm totally fine with.  

[nurseaudrea]

It is not considered an early fill if you have used 85% of the med. So if you have a 30 day supply, you can pick it up 6 days early and it will not be considered early. If it is a 15 day supply it is 3 days prior to running out. This is what my pharm. and ins. has told me. I have used a different pharm. in the past that would not let me pick it up until the day it was to run out. They tried to make me think it was illegal when in fact that is just the way they do it. Some pharmacies are stricter than others. I don't know if this is a state or national thing. It just depends on the pharm. As far as wanting to pay cash instead of using the ins., yes you can do that. Just tell them you are going to pay cash and they should let you.

[TrayCee]

insurance or not, you cant "usually" refill a controlled script more than a day early and thats with a VERY understanding pharmacist.

Bottom line is probably not.  Sorry...