We really mean get your prescriptions “in sync”
If you are stressed trying to keep multiple prescriptions refilled and do it timely while they all expire at various times of the month, we have some good news for you.
First, syncing all of your drug renewals to the same day of the month can be a healthy move for you. Research shows syncing prescriptions boosted adherence of taking your meds between 23 and 26 percentage points.
Syncing means you won’t be missing a pill or two until your refill dates, it saves you from multiple visits to your pharmacy and reduces a level of complexity and forgetfulness. Dr. Jalpa Doshi, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s says the policy “can make a huge difference for people on multiple chronic prescriptions…a circumstance particularly common among elderly patients”. And, it offers relief to caregivers who are equally challenged to keep the scripts in stock and timely family member or patient.
How do you accomplish this when your insurance company has copay and a thirty-day maximum for pills? Well, help is on the way….we are seeing some state laws come into effect requiring it, but more importantly, insurance companies and pharmacies are working together to get it done.
It is best to call your pharmacy and ask these specific questions:
1. Do you sync prescriptions?
2. Will you provide a partial month pill count in order to help me accomplish this objective:
3. Will my insurance company allow a partial copay to assist me in syncing my scripts?
You may be surprised how easy it can be. Of course you can “just do it yourself” if you don’t mind juggling the dates, quantities and paying the full copay. Statistics tell you it is worth the effort.