When your to-do list gets overwhelming, the last thing you want to do is deal with switching pharmacies. But transferring a prescription to another pharmacy is easier than you think and can often save you money.
We’ll show you how to compare the cost of your medicines at different pharmacies and make the switch in three easy steps.
Pharmacies do their best to make transferring a prescription as easy as possible. The next time you need to transfer a prescription, follow these three steps to ensure your experience is seamless and stress-free.
1. Select a new pharmacy
There are a lot of reasons that you may need to switch to a new pharmacy, like a move, convenience or a change to your health insurance. Take some time to search your health plan’s network of pharmacies and shop around to find the lowest price for your prescriptions at a pharmacy near you.
2. Gather your personal and prescription information to start the transfer
Once you’ve chosen a pharmacy, you can start the prescription transfer process with them over the phone, in person or online. The new pharmacy will need to collect some information from you, including:
- Full name and date of birth
- Home address and phone number
- Prescription insurance information, if applicable
- Any known allergies
- Phone number and address of your old pharmacy
- The name of the prescription(s) you want to transfer
- When you need your next refill (you can start the transfer process now and refill when you’re ready)
3. Complete the transfer
The amount of time it takes to transfer a prescription varies depending on the pharmacy and how many prescriptions are being transferred. Some pharmacies may send you text or email updates while you wait so you can follow your request in real time.
Why your prescription transfer could be denied
Transferring a prescription to another pharmacy is usually very simple and stress free, but if you run out of refills, it could cause your request to be denied.
In most instances, your pharmacy can request a refill on your behalf, but sometimes you may need to contact your clinician to get a new prescription. If it’s been a while since your last appointment, your clinician may need to do an exam or blood work to make sure your current medicine is still the best option for you.
Ways to compare or lower your prescription costs
Not sure if you’re getting the best price for your medicine? Just like with other goods and services, your prescriptions may cost different amounts depending on where you buy them. It’s always a good idea to shop around for the best price or take advantage of other ways to save money, like generics, mail order and more.