The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are urging people at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 to get ready for it now. One way you can do that is to obtain extra necessary medications ahead of time – easier said than done, however, with some insurance plans.
Mark Jones, RPh, Director of Pharmacy at Bates County Memorial Hospital advises, “Check with your pharmacist. Each insurance plan is different. Many are relaxing refill requirements, and encouraging patients to get refills ahead of the normal time. The best way is to have your pharmacist check for you and refill up to 90 days if allowed.”
The CDC recommends looking into mail-order prescription services if you cannot get extra medications.
Others may be concerned about shortages of their medications.
“There are no specific drugs affected to date,” Jones says regarding fears of shortages. “However with the ongoing issues of supply and demand, it would be difficult to say if any specific medications are going to be short. Again, check with your pharmacist, call and talk with them about your medication and your insurance to determine if you can get the meds refilled early or for an extended time.” If you are over 60 years of age and/or have a serious chronic medical condition (like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease), you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. Learn more about planning ahead to reduce your risk from the CDC
