Products and services offered may include:
• prescription services (ordering online, by mail, or by phone; home delivery;
consultations with pharmacists);
• compound drugs (doctor-ordered customized medications for persons with
special medical needs);
• over-the-counter medications (cold, cough, allergy, asthma, sleep, stomach, flu,
and pain-relief medicines);
• home medical supplies (diabetes care, bandages, blood-pressure monitors,
braces and supports, hearing assistance devices, and incontinence products);
• household items (batteries, flashlights, cameras, film, hardware, light bulbs, and
small appliances);
• beauty accessories (fragrances, makeup, manicure and pedicure products, salon
hair care products, soap, deodorant, eye and ear products, foot care products, oral
care products, tissues, and cotton swabs);
• diet and nutrition products (dietary supplements, vitamins, and health-and-fitness
monitors).
Payment Options
Several payment options exist for pharmaceuticals depending on an individual’s situation. They include:
Most pharmacies will help individuals manage their prescriptions and health care benefits and process prescription insurance claims when they fill prescriptions. Before choosing a pharmacy, you may wish to ask your insurance company for a list of nearby pharmacies that accept your insurance. If you have Medicare Part D, Medicaid, insurance, or are receiving any assistance from a prescription drug program, contact the pharmacy you are interested in using and ask it to verify that it will accept payment.
Special Drug Assistance Programs
• Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Pharmaceutical companies often sponsor Patient Assistance Programs that provide free or
discounted medicines to low- to moderate-income people, uninsured people, and under-
insured people who meet certain guidelines. Eligibility and application requirements vary
from program to program.
• State-Sponsored Programs
o
Ryan White Part B Program: Care, support and drug assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS
o
WVRx: Prescription drugs at no cost to people who are uninsured and between 18 and 65 years of age
Availability
_____ What are the pharmacy’s hours of operation?
_____ If the pharmacy is not open 24 hours, seven days a week, how does it handle evening
and weekend emergencies?
Products and Services
_____ Does the pharmacy carry a large inventory of drugs?
_____ How long is the average wait time when a drug is not in stock?
_____ Does the pharmacy compound drugs?
_____ Does the pharmacy offer over-the-counter medicines for pain, colds and allergies?
_____ Will a pharmacist talk to me about the drugs I am taking?
_____ Will a pharmacist review all of the drugs I am taking to ensure they are safe to take at
the same time?
_____ Will the pharmacy provide a written explanation about my prescription so I know the
side effects, drug interactions, proper storage requirements and the amount of the
drug to take?
Accessibility
_____ Is parking available nearby?
_____ Does the pharmacy have a drive-up window?
_____ Will the pharmacy deliver to my home?
_____ Does the pharmacy provide mail-order delivery?
Pharmacist
_____ Is a pharmacist available to answer questions about the medications I am taking?
Payment
_____ How much will my prescriptions cost?
_____ Does the pharmacy accept my insurance?
_____ Does the pharmacy accept my Medicare Part D plan?
_____ Does the pharmacy accept payment from Medicaid?
_____ Will the pharmacy call my insurance company if there is a problem with a claim?
_____ If my medication is not covered by insurance, does the pharmacy offer payment-plan
options?
Pharmacy Related Links
Needy Meds: This website assists people who are unable to afford medications and health care costs. In addition to providing information about patient-assistance programs, Needy Meds offers drug discount cards, disease-based assistance and much more.