Can I get prescriptions filled during a virtual appointment?
Can I get prescriptions filled or refilled through telehealth?
If you have a virtual appointment, your doctor may be able to prescribe you medications via telehealth appointments, says Adjoa Smalls-Mantey, M.D. She’s a psychiatrist in New York City. This is particularly true of telehealth visits for behavioral health.
But many times, your doctor may need to see you in person for a medical exam before prescribing a refill. This is particularly true of controlled substances. And it may also be true if you haven’t seen your doctor in person in a while, like 6 months or longer.
Does my pharmacy accept telehealth prescriptions?
You may be wondering whether your local pharmacy accepts telehealth prescriptions. Thankfully, the answer is yes.
“Many states prefer the use of electronic prescriptions because it reduces the risk of errors,” explains Dr. Smalls-Mantey. “It also makes it easier to place refills, because a patient doesn’t have to come for a visit to get a paper prescription and take it to the pharmacy.”
“In light of the opioid epidemic, it also makes it easier to track how many prescriptions a patient is getting for controlled substances, to reduce the likelihood of overprescribing. This is especially true for a potentially addictive or lethal substance,” says Dr. Smalls-Mantey.
What are some advantages of getting a prescription filled via telehealth?
“It helps to ensure that you’ll come to every visit,” Dr. Smalls-Mantey explains. “When we start a patient on a medication, we want to see them more frequently.” That could be as often as every 2 to 4 weeks — and if you had to do it in person, it could be a challenge if you had to miss work or get childcare, for instance. “This way, we can see how they are responding to the drugs. We can also see if they are experiencing any side effects,” she adds.
Plus, telehealth visits offer more privacy. It’s much easier to hop on to the screen from work, or from the privacy of your bedroom at home, for a quick check-in, she adds.
What are some disadvantages of getting a prescription filled via telehealth?
There are going to be times when a virtual visit may be more challenging. This can happen with an older adult, who may not be as technologically savvy. They may have trouble figuring out how to use their computer or phone, says Dr. Smalls-Mantey.
It can also be tricky if someone is tired or sedated, so it becomes harder to engage them. “When you see someone in person, you can do something like tap them on the shoulder to make sure that they’re OK,” she explains. If someone has trouble speaking — for example, a stroke survivor — it may be difficult to do a virtual visit, too.
You also sometimes lose the human connection. “Some people who are depressed are very lonely. They want that physical proximity to another person,” says Dr. Smalls-Mantey. “Or they have a condition such as schizophrenia, which makes it harder for them to connect with other people.” In these cases, patients may benefit from in-person visits.
