If you’d prefer to avoid the trouble of physically visiting your local pharmacy each month to refill your older adult’s medicines, consider switching to a mail-order pharmacy. Something that seems easy for you, like running errands and picking up prescriptions, may actually be harder for your parents when you’re not around. Home care can help ensure a senior has a way to get around and run errands.
These caregivers can provide care when a senior needs more help than you can give at times. 24-hour home care can help seniors run errands to get prescriptions, but now there is an easier way to get the job done. Mail-order pharmacies come with tons of advantages and can be easier on medication management. Instead of worrying about rides to and from places, they are directly sent to a senior when needed.
Mail-order pharmacies often provide lower-cost medication refills that are delivered directly to your senior’s door by an insurance company-approved source. These options for seniors have been growing in popularity in recent years, and they are perfect for parents aging in place. Here is everything you need to know about this option.
How Mail Order Pharmacies Work
Mail-order pharmacies operate similarly to regular pharmacies but without in-person interaction. Enrollment in a mail-order pharmacy may be accomplished in a variety of ways. The simplest method is for the prescribing physician to send the prescription straight to the mail-order pharmacy.
Due to the delay in receiving the prescriptions, if a prescription is required immediately, it is good to fill it at a local pharmacy the first time and set up mail orders for future refills. You, 24-hour home care, or a senior should always place an order for prescriptions up to two weeks before the medication runs out. There is also an automatic refill option.
Why This Is The Right Choice
You may be wondering why this is the right choice for your senior, but it is important to understand your parents first. If they struggle with any of the following, it is something to consider.
- They forget to refill medications.
- They cannot always get to the pharmacy.
- It takes too long to get to the pharmacy.
- They struggle with getting quick help.
If this sounds like something your parents are struggling with, even with a caregiver, it can be a great option. Often the insurance agency sending out prescriptions will offer the drug at a lower price which can also help a senior on a budget. It saves time by allowing a senior to stay home while still getting the medication they need. Lastly, it will enable a senior to never run out of medicines and ensures they will not forget because they can opt for automatic delivery. Most mail-order pharmacies have online support where a senior can chat with a rep or call them for immediate help.
The Difference Between Mail Order and Online
It’s common for mail-order pharmacies to be confused with internet pharmacies. However, the two sorts of pharmacies are relatively distinct. Both allow a senior to order medications and get them sent directly to their doors, but that is where the similarities end.
A mail-order pharmacy is a service provided directly by the insurance company. The mail-order pharmacy will have easy access to insurance information, will be able to monitor prescription refill dates, and will be able to file claims efficiently. Additionally, they may provide 90-day prescription refills.
Online pharmacies operate similarly to traditional pharmacies or medication shops. This implies that they will not always accept the insurance coverage of your older adult. Before submitting the prescription order, online pharmacies must check the insurance coverage.