3 ms·

I have United Healthcare and when I first switched to theme I was informed by my pharmacy that UHC requires one of my prescriptions to be written to require nam

I have United Healthcare and when I first switched to theme I was informed by my pharmacy that UHC requires one of my prescriptions to be written to require name-brand-only before they can fill it. This often leads to problems filling it because of supply, and the copay is 3x higher, and if the doctors office makes a mistake I have to go back to them to correct it (it's for Adderall, so the pharmacy and doctor cannot exchange the prescription over the phone or computer--I have to do all the back and forth in person with paper). This is, obviously, quite irritating, not to mention expensive.

tssva 9y ago
I have UHC and take Adderall XR. I have never had an issue because of how the prescription was written. My doctor has always written it for Adderall XR with generic substitution allowed. This allowed me to get the generic version prior to switching to UHC and has allowed me to get the name brand without issue after switching to UHC. Even if the way your doctor sometimes writes the prescription causes an issue. It seems this is easily preventable with minimal effort on your part. Just remind your doctor how it needs to be prescribed and double check the prescription before leaving the office. My co-pay for Adderall XR with UHC is the same as my co-pay previously for the generic version. Maybe I was getting gouged before.
u801e 9y ago
> it's for Adderall, so the pharmacy and doctor cannot exchange the prescription over the phone or computer--I have to do all the back and forth in person with paper This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always thought that the requirement for using a paper prescription for controlled substances was counter-intuitive. To me, it would make more sense to do this electronically and not involve the patient at all in the transfer of the prescription itself. Plus, the electronic system should be able to verify the identity of the prescribing physician and dispensing pharmacist to both parties involved as well as a central authority if necessary, which is more difficult to do with a paper prescription.
- bspn 9y ago
  >This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always thought that the requirement for using a paper prescription for controlled substances was counter-intuitive Is this a state-specific requirement? My wife is on a few controlled substances and we never receive paper scripts, but instead her doctor sends it in electronically and the pharmacy calls us when it's ready.

tssva 9y ago

I have UHC and take Adderall XR. I have never had an issue because of how the prescription was written. My doctor has always written it for Adderall XR with generic substitution allowed. This allowed me to get the generic version prior to switching to UHC and has allowed me to get the name brand without issue after switching to UHC. Even if the way your doctor sometimes writes the prescription causes an issue. It seems this is easily preventable with minimal effort on your part. Just remind your doctor how it needs to be prescribed and double check the prescription before leaving the office. My co-pay for Adderall XR with UHC is the same as my co-pay previously for the generic version. Maybe I was getting gouged before.

u801e 9y ago

> it's for Adderall, so the pharmacy and doctor cannot exchange the prescription over the phone or computer--I have to do all the back and forth in person with paper This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always thought that the requirement for using a paper prescription for controlled substances was counter-intuitive. To me, it would make more sense to do this electronically and not involve the patient at all in the transfer of the prescription itself. Plus, the electronic system should be able to verify the identity of the prescribing physician and dispensing pharmacist to both parties involved as well as a central authority if necessary, which is more difficult to do with a paper prescription.

bspn 9y ago
>This is somewhat off-topic, but I've always thought that the requirement for using a paper prescription for controlled substances was counter-intuitive Is this a state-specific requirement? My wife is on a few controlled substances and we never receive paper scripts, but instead her doctor sends it in electronically and the pharmacy calls us when it's ready.