Take Note If You Are Traveling Out Of State

[barkley]

just wanted to pass on some info./personal experience that might be helpful to those who may be traveling outside their home state.

we recently went on a vacation to hawaii and had to have a refill of one of dh's regular meds filled at the local branch of our grocery store pharmacy (was'nt insurance wise eligible to get the refill prior to departing home). fortunatly we did'nt run into a problem, but when we went to get the refill i was surprised to see a list of medications that hawaii (and apparantly quite a few other states per a conversation with my local pharmacist) no longer allow to be transferred or refilled from out of state. these were not the type of perscriptions that require an original (like some of the heavy duty pain meds), are eligible (at least in california for refills on an existing perscription) but some of the lower level pain meds (any amount of codeine), anything that is for sleep, and any type of perscription cough syrups-as well as some meds i was entirely unfamiliar with.

so i guess anyone who plans to travel outside their homestate and may need a refill on an existing perscription would do well to contact a pharmacy in that state and find out if they even allow a re-fill.

 

[shovan]

Thanks for that info!

Being a resident of New Orleans, traveling out of state can often become an issue! Appreciate the info on refilling meds.!

 

[Michigan]

We were on our way to Florida for a cruise when my youngest started having kidney pain. I knew if I flushed her mitrofanoff which we usually only have to do maybe once a year she would be ok. I went into a Walmart and asked for normal saline and was told it was a controlled substance in ohio and I needed a script. Go figure salt & water needs a script. So instead I bought distilled water and did it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good idea.
Your pharmacist in your local area might be able to help you find the information. If your medications are at a pharmacy that has a branch in the state you are going to, your home pharmacist might even be able to check on computer.

 

[Figaro]

Many insurance plans have a once of year "vacation over-ride." With this, you can fill your prescriptions early once a year without any penalty. Ask your pharmacist to check and see if your insurance does this. Also, many 30 day prescriptions can be re-filled at either 24 or 28 days. If you time the refills carefully, you can usually build up a couple of weeks of extra pills which gives you a nice little safety margin for trips.

Hope this helps!

 

[marybrat]

Many insurance plans have a once of year "vacation over-ride." With this, you can fill your prescriptions early once a year without any penalty. Ask your pharmacist to check and see if your insurance does this. Also, many 30 day prescriptions can be re-filled at either 24 or 28 days. If you time the refills carefully, you can usually build up a couple of weeks of extra pills which gives you a nice little safety margin for trips.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for this information! I'm trying to plan when to refill DD meds each month to be able to have full bottles when we leave in August... months from now!

 

[Bugsmom73]

DD has managed to forget his pulmicort twice before while traveling. Once to WDW and once in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was able to bill our insurance, the place in florida no.

 

[SueM in MN]

DD has managed to forget his pulmicort twice before while traveling. Once to WDW and once in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was able to bill our insurance, the place in florida no.

If that happens, make sure to keep the receipt.
Usually, you will be able to submit the receipt yourself to your insurance and get reimbursed. It usually happens when the pharmacy doesn't have the correct forms to bill that particular insurance or doesn't have an agreement with that insurance company. It means an extra step for the customer (maybe a few steps if they first deny it), but the insurance will usually end up paying.