(BPT) – In recent years, technology has changed every aspect of our daily life. We interact with friends and family on social media, use the GPS to guide us to our desired destination, and products we buy online are delivered right to our home.
One big change transforming how we receive health care services is home delivery of prescription medications. But is this option right for you? Susan Peppers, vice president of pharmacy practice at Express Scripts, answers the six most frequently asked questions about home delivery for prescription medications.
1. Is home delivery an option for the medications I take on a regular basis?
Home delivery is best used when you are on medications for a chronic condition because it removes the burden of remembering to get a prescription refilled by the patient and encourages adherence to the prescribed therapy. These drugs, which can also be referred to as maintenance medications, are the ones your doctor prescribes to manage long-term health conditions, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes.
2. Could I save money through home delivery?
Yes. When using home delivery for your prescription medications you will receive a 90-day supply. This could save up to approximately 66 percent in out-of-pocket expenses when compared to the cost of filling prescriptions at retail. With no-cost standard shipping, home delivery could be a great way to also save on gas costs associated with the trip to the pharmacy.
3. What if I have questions about my medications?
Home delivery pharmacies include 24/7 access to specialist pharmacists, trained in chronic and complex diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, available online or on the phone. A pharmacist can answer questions regarding your medication or a reaction you may be having to your medication all in the privacy and convenience of your home. These pharmacists are also at work behind the scenes reviewing prescriptions before they are dispensed to prevent the possibility of harmful interactions.
4. Will I get my next prescription on time?
Medications are automatically sent in advance of when your previous prescription will run out and usually delivered within four days. You can also call or go online to check on the status of your order. If you are traveling for an extended period within the U.S., you could request the medication be delivered to the address where you will be staying.
5. Why can home delivery be good for my health?
In addition to saving time and money, studies have shown that home delivery can improve adherence to medications. Adherence, or taking your medications as prescribed by your doctor, is one of the most important things you can do to manage chronic conditions and improve your health outcomes.
6. How do I make sure my temperature-sensitive medication is properly managed through home delivery?
Temperature-protective coolers can ensure medications stay within a safe temperature range – even if the package is sitting outside for several hours after delivery. At Express Scripts we use new technology that takes into consideration the acceptable temperature range for each medication and the entire forecasted weather patterns that the medication will pass through along its journey to the patient’s home to determine how and when to deliver the medication.
‘A home delivery pharmacy is a great alternative for those wanting to save money on their prescription medications,’ said Peppers. ‘With a dispensing accuracy rate that is greater than 99.9995 percent, and leading-edge systems and technology that carefully monitors each prescription, we are proud to continue forging new paths in healthcare.’
