FT medications, doctors, prescriptions - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Gary and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

FT medications, doctors, prescriptions

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

I do believe that a doctor is required to give you a copy of your medical records within 30 days if requested in writing. Now you may have to supply a flash drive or pay a small fee for copying them but they are required to comply with your request. As far as prescriptions get them filled at CVS or Walgreens (as well as others) and you can get them refilled at any CVS or Walgreens around the country. Your doctor should write you enough refills to get you thru to your next appointment. Managing your meds on the road not to difficult once you get with a major nation wide pharmacy. I use CVS myself and once my script is on file at any store it is on their network and can be looked up and refilled by any other CVS store.

Flyone

pkhalin · RV-Dreams Family Member

I THINK the same applies for Walmart. They did confirm they were a national database. But I didn't ask the follow up questions if it would be difficult when on the road. Something I'll need to vet out as well.

And I would agree that you have right to your records.

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Fortunately we have Kaiser Permanente in CA with access to all of our medical records, test results, and prescriptions online. We can get a 90 day supply of most scripts each time, and plan to get them transferred to Walmart or Walgreens before we launch.

Our dentist, optometrist and vet have all been so supportive of our plans, assuring us that one phone call will get records sent electronically to wherever we need. In addition, our vet is putting together a package of supplies for Tessa - ointments, eye wash, mild pain killers, etc. as well as information on areas where heartworm and other issues are most prevalent.

Jodee

Talensnana · RV-Dreams Family Member

Unless Walmart recently changed they had a national data base for meds but you use to have to transfer prescriptions from one store to another. We plan on keeping our main doctors for now as our kids live here for normal checkups etc. I am mostly concerned about my pain Meds as they are getting harder to get when you travel. My doctor makes sure I have a extra prescription bottle when we travel as I know i would most likely not get anyone to fill it. I do have a TMJ Dr. and a Oral surgeon which I use and will not trust my jaw to anyone else (I have had 4 jaw surgeries). That will probally require a trip back home.

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

We see our doctors when we are back in our home area each summer. I take two medications and get both of them in 90 day supplies. I order them from a mail order pharmacy so normally they are shipped to our mail service, but I am also able to have them shipped directly to me if I am at a address where I will be for the next couple of weeks. (It doesn't take two weeks for them to be shipped but I just want to be on the safe side.) One of my prescriptions ran out while we were on the road this year but I just called my doctor's office and my doctor renewed the prescription for me. We are lucky that our medical facility has automated the medical records so we can sign in and have access to our medical records at any time.

-- Edited by 2riker2go on Tuesday 24th of February 2015 06:28:03 AM

Gary and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you all for your help. Good information to know!!! Happy trails and stay safe!!!!

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

My prescription is on file at Walgreens and I can go on their website select the refill and then change the pickup store location. Just did it today and it was easy peasy. i had a full physical right before we left to go on the road and explained our plan to my doctor. She said she would refill it for two years before needing a return visit.

birder526 · RV-Dreams Family Member

My husband and I will be full-timers (in a tiny teardrop) come April 1st and he is on medicare, but I am still too young to qualify. As TX is where we have established our domicile, I have signed on for insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield. As I have previously done through my current insurance, I use mail order as you can get a 90 day supply for the same cost of 30 days that you pay at a pharmacy. I plan on doing mail order with BC/BS as well. Now to establish new doctor relationships!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll chip in with some information that might help those in need of less expensive prescriptions. When we moved to Colorado after retirement, Jo is without insurance because she is under 65, thus not eligible for Medicare.

When we found us a new doctor in Colorado Springs, that doctor told Jo about GoodRX and their website:

GoodRX website

Through GoodRX, Jo can buy 90 day supplies of her three prescription drugs for a total of $50. While we were working and had insurance, including prescription coverage, Jo's bill for EACH of the three prescriptions was $50. So now, she can get all three for what she used to pay for one. If I remember right on how it works, one enters a drug name and the city and state or zip code and it provides a list of places in that area and what the prices are in those places with the use of the GoodRX coupon. The coupon can be printed off from GoodRX's website. For the small town of Falcon, Colorado, there were 6 locations with prices ranging from $13.10 to $14.38 for a 30 day supply of Lipitor. (That was looked up just for a reference. We are using a generic form of Lipitor, but I don't remember the generic's name.)

Terry

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

We use Express Scripts for maintenance meds, get a 90 day supply at a time. Physicians write the scripts for 90 days with 4 refills, gets us through the year. For short term Rx, we use Walgreens.

Barb

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We do not have any controlled substance prescriptions, which are more difficult. Our insurance uses Express Scripts for 90 day supplies, but the copays are more than if we pay directly through Costco. We just picked up our 90 day supply at Costco.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am thinking that next year I'm going to look at changing some of our scripts to Costco as we have also seen our copays being more than what Costco charges.

Barb

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Regarding the controlled drugs that have to be filled with a written prescription and are only good for 30 days at a time.

Our doctor wrote several prescriptions that were postdated and sent them to an understanding pharmacist in a town where we spent a couple of months in the fall and spring.
He filled them and mailed them to us in AZ.

sherev · RV-Dreams Community Member

We're hoping to domicile in FL, possibly setting up residence at Sumter Oaks in Bushnell.

Our physician here at home is aware of our plans to leave for warmer parts (jealous, but supportive) and suggests that although we can come "home" for checkups, we need to establish relationships where we are because of ongoing health conditions.

Does anyone have information regarding medical professionals (for humans as well as for pets) that they can share? Any doctors nearby? Medical facilities? Veterinarians?

Thanks for your help.

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lots of folks get a second physician in the town where they winter every year. Just have to coordinate care, but can make Rxs easier for some.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barb, using express scripts, how do you receive your scripts when you are on the move?

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

They are sent to our 'home' address and come with our next mail delivery. Express Scripts sends out a tracking notice when they ship them, and Escapees alerts us when they arrive. We then just arrange for our mail to be sent, usually to General Delivery at a town where we will be for a week. In the winter, we just put a temporary address in for Express Scripts and have them sent directly to the park we stay in for the winter.

Barb

sherev · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks, Barbara. We'll look into locating a second physician.