Inspired by OB/GYN thread: Anyone else's MD policy NO Phone-in scripts?

[LindaG4458]

This is becoming an issue with me and my FL MD. Her policy is NO TELEPHONE PRESCRIPTIONS! She also will not replace a paper prescription if it is lost or damaged without another appointment.

Today's issue: Had an appointment with her about a condition. She gave me samples of meds. Went for a recheck two weeks later and forgot to ask for the paper prescription (partially my fault). Called, had to make another appointment to get prescription (copay and insurance charged again). ExpressScripts does not include it on the formulary; they called and told me the name of the similar medication that is covered. I called her office and gave the information. I had to make another appointment (another copay and insurance billing) to get the replacement piece of paper and please bring the formulary.

It's not like she hasn't seen me in weeks. I have been in her office SEVEN TIMES in the past three months, three of them strictly to get a paper prescription for a medication she has already prescribed!

Anyone else have a doctor like this? Is it unusual?

 

[drgnfly30]

It depends... both DS10 & I take meds that are 'controlled' so by law they HAVE to be paper & cannot be called in.

If its a scrip that I take on a regular basis (non-controlled; allergy meds for instance) yes, she'll call it in...

If its for something, like an antibiotic for a sinus infection (even if I KNOW that's what it is!) she will not call it in & will make me come in for an appointment.

 

[LindaG4458]

I would consider that reasonable. She won't call in ANYTHING - just her policy. It is posted on her office door.

 

[NMAmy]

Today's issue: Had an appointment with her about a condition. She gave me samples of meds. Went for a recheck two weeks later and forgot to ask for the paper prescription (partially my fault).

It's not like she hasn't seen me in weeks. I have been in her office SEVEN TIMES in the past three months, three of them strictly to get a paper prescription for a medication she has already prescribed!

Anyone else have a doctor like this? Is it unusual?

I really don't see how it was partially your fault she didn't give you a paper prescription. If this is her policy, she should be paying attention that she gave you sample meds last time and not make you come in again for the same thing.

My doctor would never do this. She has a dedicated phone line for prescription refills. You call in, for example--dd's asthma inhaler or my allergy meds--give the pharmacy name and what prescription you need and she'll call it in for you. She might call me back and say she'd like me to come in to make sure that it's the right dosage still but she'd call the prescription in with enough medication to last us until our visit.

Seeing your doctor that often and having her bill your insurance each time is just crazy. I'd be looking for a new doctor myself.

 

[barkley]

we have a couple of meds that have been "controlled" for years (highest level, require a special perscription pad, have to be at pharmacy and filled within 7 days...), but in the past year or so we've seen some other meds that used to be available for call in get bumped into new classifications-

codene and tylenol combos are now a "semi-controlled" med and have to be done on a certain type of perscription pad (god help my doctors-they now have 3 categories of perscription pads to deal with), and when the number of re-fills have ended a new perscription must be issued and hand carried in.

anything that has a "cough syrup" or cold medicine connection (even the stuff that has no pain meds-just a bit stronger than the otc stuff) cannot be called in-it can only be issued on the basic perscription pad, and only an adult can pick it up (so a 17 year old for whom the pers. was written could not pick it up at the pharmacy). it has to do with the popularity of teens using these meds to get high-in fact our local safeway now stocks the otc stuff behind the pharmacy and you have to have a pharmacy tech retrieve it for you (i understand the process-but it's a royal pain if you need the stuff outside pharmacy hours).

our md/pediatrician practice has tried to help patients out with the tougher access issues-if then can call something in they will (and have a special voice mail option to access/request for the patients), if they can't you can call ahead and they will put the perscription into a safe which can be accessed at the counter anytime the office is open (you just have to sign).

 

[jennyl772003]

I think it is her choice to make. I also think it is crazy, dumb, and a little unethical (she's getting more useless appointment, more $ for her).

I would find a new Dr.

 

[AllyandJack]

My family doc is being a PITA about a script for me. I show up and tell him I need a new script of some medication for my colitis - I ran out of refills, I usually get 6 at a time. I've been off of it most of the time while going through IVF, but I take it before my transfer and after I know it didn't work. My fertility doc knows about it and is fine with it. Well, my family doc decides that he can't give me a new script. Huh?! He says that he can't do it because it's not FDA approved to take during pregnancy. I know that.....give me some credit. At least I know for sure when I might be pregnant - I asked him if he doesn't give this drug to anyone who is of child-bearing age?! WTH?!? We argued back and forth. I told him to call my fertility doc - he says he doesn't need to do that. Whatever. I marched out of there, told them I had a PPO, and they wouldn't be seeing me again. I'll just go straight to the gastro. I don't need him and his bad attitude. The medication requires that the paper script be faxed into the pharmacy and called into the pharmacy by the doctor's office. It has to be followed up with the paper script being mailed to the pharmacy for their records. So, if they don't get the original paper, I couldn't get a refill filled.

 

[Microcell]

Our office will usually call if the patient asks, but we don't usually volunteer it because we are too busy to call in prescriptions all the time. We deal with express scripts all the time and it does not take all that much labor for a special circumstance.

If you want to see an Ophthomologist for OB (the docs are MD's and one of them did tell me my DD had Appendicitis over the phone) I can give you thier address!

 

[Disneyrsh]

She's ripping you off.

Your insurance pays her every time you step foot in her practice.

Find another doctor, and before you go in, ask if their policy allows prescription call ins.

Every one of my family's doctors will call in a prescription; her behavior is ludicrous, in my opinion.

 

[froglady]

If her policy is clearly posted on the door, and you still continued to see her, I guess it's your choice?

My GYN (who I use as my primary care, also) does not accept ANY insurance. Period. She also doesn't do any maternity, nor does she do surgery. She will refer you to someone else.

Her office has forms available for you to self-file, and they have a list of labs that the most common companies use, so you are given appropriate lab slips.

I find that having a FULL 45-60 minute annual appointment, which I can make without waiting weeks (and on a one day basis if I'm having any problems) plus a doctor who knows me well enough to phone in a prescription (if legally permitted) is worth the $200 or so I pay.

 

[CrazedDisFan]

We have a great doctor. I can call and tell them what is wrong and he calls it right in. It works out great, especially when his office has a 3+ hour wait every day. We have had a 9:30 am appointment and not been out of the office until 2:45 p.m. before. You can not make an afternoon appointment unless you can commit to waiting at least until 7 p.m. It is insane. Yet, we keep him for a doctor because he genuinely cares for patients and is a very good doctor.

 

[Christine]

I think it is ridiculous.

I have noticed, however, that some of my doctors have started charging a $5.00 fee for prescription requests that are not related to a *recent* visit. For example, if I had gone in and discussed my thyroid and we were doing some thyroid medication experiments, my doctor would phone in changes for free. But, if I was on the same thyroid medication and hadn't seen him in awhile, he would charge me the $5.00 fee to continue my prescription.

 

[jodifla]

I'd vote with my feet and find a new doctor. One who cares about my health instead of how much money she's making off me. I'd also inform my insurance company about her unsavory practices, which are costing the insurance company unnecessary money.

 

[arminnie]

meds that are 'controlled' so by law HAVE to be paper & cannot be called in.

And some meds cannot be prescribed for more than a 30 day supply. I have a friend who sees a pain doctor and must go in once a month to get the scripts.

But regular stuff I can get refilled from doctors even if I am out of state. Also I do the 90 day by mail insurance thing, and if I'm about to run out the mail in pharmacy contacts the doctor directly and gets approval for more scripts.

This may be totally off base, but I would might be concerned that a doctor who has a policy of no call ins may have been in trouble with the medical board or insurance fraud in the past and this might be a requirement of her continuing to practice.

 

[tiggersmom2]

She's ripping you off.

Your insurance pays her every time you step foot in her practice.

Find another doctor, and before you go in, ask if their policy allows prescription call ins.

Every one of my family's doctors will call in a prescription; her behavior is ludicrous, in my opinion.

I agree

 

[Galahad]

It is entirely possible that the doctor is not motivated by generating more $$. My doc will call in some kinds of things but not others. In one case I know if, a doc stopped doing call in prescriptions when some local drug seeker started "calling in prescriptions" for themselves under that doctors name. Sure, they don't usually get away with it, but the doc needs to protect themselves. DW's group practice had some script pads stolen, and some guy (not very bright when it clearly says the group is an OB/GYN group) was trying to get narcotics under DW's name. It never worked for him and DW got called each time it was tried. But the point is that the motivation may be medical, it may be liability, it may be a lot of other things that a "greedy and unethical" doctor. Most doctors are neither.

 

[LindaG4458]

This may be totally off base, but I would might be concerned that a doctor who has a policy of no call ins may have been in trouble with the medical board or insurance fraud in the past and this might be a requirement of her continuing to practice.

Funny you should say that. I looked up all of our MDs on the FL Medical Registration database and she had voluntarily relinquished her license for two years in the early 1990s. There is nothing on the listing as to why this happened.

I'm just not comfortable with these two things, plus she has a hard time keeping nurses. Every spring and fall there is an entire new bunch in the office. I like the current ones but am not optimistic that they will be there in October when we return.

I guess it's time to look for someone new in the fall.

Thanks for your input.

 

[LindaG4458]

But the point is that the motivation may be medical, it may be liability, it may be a lot of other things that a "greedy and unethical" doctor. Most doctors are neither.

I agree with you and understand that there must be safeguards. I've only met a total of three doctors in my life that I would suspect of being greedy or unethical. One falsified Blue Cross billings (I reported him), one was a pill-pusher, and this one. I'm just not comfortable and feel that I must move on.

I appreciate your point of view.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Funny you should say that. I looked up all of our MDs on the FL Medical Registration database and she had voluntarily relinquished her license for two years in the early 1990s. .

Holy Crap! Leave now!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's a bit extreme.

If I have an injury--I would have to be assessed for said injury.

When I had PPD and waited many many months to tell my midwife--I simply called in and requested something for it and she faxed a script to my pharmacist, no appt necessary.

My docs are pretty accomodating and depending on the drug and what I need it for, I don't have to be seen (I had a refill request and pharm just checked with doc who ok'd it without issue).

So I think practices should be someone accomodating--but one has to wonder who abused the policy before it became strict that necessitated such extreme measures.