- Pill boxes can help you stay organized especially with multiple medications, are relatively inexpensive, and available at all pharmacies sometimes for free.
- Smart phone Apps (e.g., EveryDose) can help send you daily alerts/reminders when it’s time to take your medication. Apps can even alert you when it is time to order a refill.
- Timers or alerts can help you remember to take your medications when life gets busy.
- Calendars can help you remember when refills are due and keep track of when medications were taken.
- Make it a habit to mark the day off the calendar after you take your daily medications.
- Add a reminder a couple days before refills are due or ask the pharmacy for automatic refills (see below under Pharmacy Services).
- Create a schedule/routine to make it easy to remember your medications.
- Place medications in a location that is accessed daily as part of your routine (kitchen by coffee/tea pot, nightstand for bedtime/early morning medications, where meals are eaten, etc.).
What services can I utilize to make filling prescriptions more convenient?
- Home delivery makes it easy by delivering a 3-month supply to your front door for the same OR less cost as a retail pharmacy.
- Call Express Scripts (ESI) Home Delivery Pharmacy to have your prescriptions transferred: 1 (800) 290-7924 OR
- Create an online account at https://www.express-scripts.com/login and with a few mouse clicks you can request home delivery for your medications. An online account can make it easier to order/refill medications, view your active orders, and check coverage of medications.
- Medications usually arrive within 5-7 days when using mail order. However, if it is your first time filling with Express Scripts or your prescription is out of refills, it is best to allow for extra days as it may take longer to process your order.
- Click here to see how Home Delivery works: https://www.express-scripts.com/pharmacy/how-it-works
- Call Express Scripts (ESI) Home Delivery Pharmacy to have your prescriptions transferred: 1 (800) 290-7924 OR
- Transportation to the pharmacy is available through Medica if you are a dual eligible (Medicare + Medicaid) member.
- Medica's Provide-A-Ride Program offers no cost scheduled rides to approved plan locations. Visit www.medica.com/RIDE, call 888-347-3630, or use app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
What should I ask the pharmacy about?
- Automatic Refill Programs (aka auto-refill) are available at nearly all pharmacies and the pharmacy will automatically fill the medications you take regularly when they are due.
- Ask the pharmacy if they offer auto refills. It is important to make sure your pharmacy has the right phone number to call or text when the refill is ready.
- 90-day supply can be less expensive for certain medications and your medications you take regularly (i.e., maintenance non-specialty medications) are eligible for 90-day supply. Filling a 90-day supply reduces your risk of running out of medication.
- Ask your pharmacist to fill a 90-day supply for your medications.
- Out of Refills
- Talk to your pharmacy. The pharmacy will contact your prescriber to request a refill.
- When was your last doctor appointment? The doctor will want to see you on a regular basis to continue ordering refills.
- A clinic will typically want to see you at least 1 time per year.
- If your pharmacy sent a refill request, but your clinic has not provided a refill in 3-5 business days, try calling your clinic to find out what is needed.
- Talk to your pharmacy. The pharmacy will contact your prescriber to request a refill.
How can I save money on my prescriptions?
- Fill 90-day supplies whenever possible. A single 90-day supply copay will be equal OR LESS than three 30-day supply copays.
- Fill your prescriptions at ESI Home Delivery Pharmacy or at a retail pharmacy that is in our preferred network. ***Use the below links for your plan to find network pharmacies.
- Find medications that are on lower formulary tiers (i.e., Tier 1 and 2) as they will typically have lower copays. Ask your prescriber about lower tier medications (e.g., generics) to treat your condition.
- For diabetes, formulary insulins will never be more than $35 per month.
- ***Benefits can vary based on your Medica plan. Refer to your specific plan documents at the below links OR call the member services phone number on the back of your card***