Snowbirds and pain meds (move, 2013, state, drugs)
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My husband and I want to become Snowbirds but he has been on narcotic pain meds for a long time from a legitimate pain clinic. Now, my question is , how do you go down 4-6 months at a time and still be able to get your pain meds ? We have even not been able to go on short trips because it interfered with my husbands refills. Do you get a referral before you go down to FL. I can't for the life of me figure this out because the minute you mention pain meds in Fl they roll the sidewalks up and look at you like you are a KY pillbilly. Thank you, please offer suggestions. And no, my husband is on them for the rest of his life. He had Perthe's disease in both hips when he was a child and they told him he would never walk well, guess what.......Thank you
My husband and I want to become Snowbirds but he has been on narcotic pain meds for a long time from a legitimate pain clinic. Now, my question is , how do you go down 4-6 months at a time and still be able to get your pain meds ?
I'm on a Schedule II narcotic for life as well, (although I don't take it for pain) and I split my time between Florida and other locales. I see two options: either order your medication by mail order if that is an option with your insurance, or get a Florida doctor for the 4-6 months that you're down here. I went the mail order route initially because the local pharmacies gave me a hard time about having an Rx for narcotics from an out-of-state doctor. I have since acquired a local doctor and have her write my prescriptions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tarajane2013
We have even not been able to go on short trips because it interfered with my husbands refills.
Now this issue I don't understand. Why not just have your doctor write a prescription for the longer period of time. While I don't believe that refills are permitted on Sch. II narcotic prescriptions, you should still be able to get a 30-60 day supply at one time. I know that I get 180 pills (60-day supply) with each Rx.
Even with a drug like oxycodone - don't know what class it is - but I assume it's the most regulated - you can get 3 months worth at a time in Florida (although some doctors may not be willing to write a 3 month Rx). OTOH - there are no refills allowed on these prescriptions. You need to go to your doctor every 3 months to get a new *written* Rx (prescriptions can't be phoned in). Don't know how mail order works - but you'll have a tough/impossible time getting a pharmacy here to fill an out-of-state Rx for narcotics. Some pharmacies here won't even fill prescriptions for narcotics (they don't stock them).
You may also have a tough time finding a doctor who will prescribe narcotics - especially if that's the only thing you're trying to get from the doctor. Because of our new "pill mill" laws. OTOH - if you plan to be in Florida for 4-6 months a year - regardless of the narcotics issue - it makes sense to have a primary care doctor here. So I would find a primary care doctor who can take care of all your medical needs - and is willing to prescribe narcotics for your husband's medical condition as well. Robyn
I'm on a Schedule II narcotic for life as well, (although I don't take it for pain) and I split my time between Florida and other locales. I see two options: either order your medication by mail order if that is an option with your insurance, or get a Florida doctor for the 4-6 months that you're down here. I went the mail order route initially because the local pharmacies gave me a hard time about having an Rx for narcotics from an out-of-state doctor. I have since acquired a local doctor and have her write my prescriptions.
Now this issue I don't understand. Why not just have your doctor write a prescription for the longer period of time. While I don't believe that refills are permitted on Sch. II narcotic prescriptions, you should still be able to get a 30-60 day supply at one time. I know that I get 180 pills (60-day supply) with each Rx.
Refills are not permitted on Schedule 2 meds. Also, refill prescriptions, to meet DEA guidelines, must be picked up in person and signed for and can't be faxed to a pharmacy like not-scheduled drugs.
MadMan is quite correct in recommending having a primary care physician in both places.
Refills are not permitted on Schedule 2 meds. Also, refill prescriptions, to meet DEA guidelines, must be picked up in person and signed for and can't be faxed to a pharmacy like not-scheduled drugs.
MadMan is quite correct in recommending having a primary care physician in both places.
^ ^ ^ Sound advice and I agree. We are seeing here in western NC that it is a nearly impossible situation to get Schedule 2 meds without a local physician. Even then, many docs are hesitant to prescribe as there have been DEA actions taken against docs/dentists in this region for over-prescribing (I guess that is how to phrase it).
Also, we are finding that often, docs will refer folks to a pain management clinic rather than write out the scripts themselves.
These are things one should carefully consider and understand before making a half-year move to another locale.
You should obtain a letter from your current MD on letterhead with his card stapled in detailing your relationship with him/her and your current medications. Take this letter with you to a recommended MD in the snowbird city and plainly explain what your goals are. It would be better if you would get a referral from your current MD e.g. do you know a doctor in that area or someone who does or go through a hospital MD referral network at the new city. Be specific and clear. Tell them up front that you have a doctor who prescribes for you along with the letter. this will reduce waiting time and help the new MD understand your needs.
Refills are not permitted on Schedule 2 meds. Also, refill prescriptions, to meet DEA guidelines, must be picked up in person and signed for and can't be faxed to a pharmacy like not-scheduled drugs.
MadMan is quite correct in recommending having a primary care physician in both places.
One of the drugs I get from my mail order pharmacy comes by UPS and I have to sign when it is delivered.
Speaking of mail order pharmacies... if your drug plan has one, use it. It is much cheaper than going to a local drug store. They also will deliver to an alternate address if you inform them ahead of time... so your current doctor can call/fax in the Rx and you have it delivered to your snowbird address.
I'm on permanent pain meds for back issues. We travel a lot, I call in or go online for ordering my refill prescriptions to a local Walgreens and they in turn call my doctors office for approval. The doctor or his PA okays them and then the script is filled. I see the doc every 6 months or so.
I'm on permanent pain meds for back issues. We travel a lot, I call in or go online for ordering my refill prescriptions to a local Walgreens and they in turn call my doctors office for approval. The doctor or his PA okays them and then the script is filled. I see the doc every 6 months or so.
There are different classes of narcotics. For a schedule 2 drug - one would have to see a doctor every 3 months to get a new Rx (no refills allowed). Robyn
Speaking of mail order pharmacies... if your drug plan has one, use it. It is much cheaper than going to a local drug store.
This isn't always true. I have a couple of prescriptions that are actually cheaper to pick up at a retail pharmacy than if I ordered it through my mail order provider. Bottom line is that even if you have the option of using a mail order pharmacy, you still need to comparison shop.
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well, guess what.......Thank you
