Healthcare costs are growing exponentially, making it hard to afford these prices. Many people find it difficult to afford their medicines. In such a condition, an extended supply of medications can help to reduce these prescription costs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), it is estimated that around a 2.8million people died in the year 2017 in the US due to various health issues. It was also observed that there is a significant rise in people who report not having enough money to pay for the doctor’s prescribed medications (1).
Doctor prescriptions need not always be a financial burden; you must be aware of practical tips that can help you pay less for your medicines.
One of the best ways to save your money is by buying the medicines in bulk and switching yourself from a standard 30-day refill to a 90-day refill.
So, What is the Difference Between a 30-day and 90-day Refill?
A 30day refill is the default option given by your pharmacists. It is a typical medicine bottle filled with prescribed medicine sufficient for a month. With this option, you have to refill every month.
In the case of a 90-day refill, you will have enough medicine for 90-days. With this option, you have to refill four times a year.
In simple words, 90 days refill purchasing medicines in bulk is the same as buying home essentials from a retail store at a lesser price than a local store.
Should you Consider Switching to 90 Days Refills?
Suppose you have long-term health conditions like high blood pressure, acid reflux, high cholesterol, mental health conditions, cardiac problems, and diabetes. In that case, these diseases require long-term maintenance medications and should be taken consistently at the same dose. Then you can opt for a 90-day refill. Generally, you would have a checkup once in 3 months, so it is advisable to go for a 90 days refill.
A 90-day refill is not recommended for seasonal diseases such as fever, infections, and any mild health problem. In case of a new prescription recommended for long term disease, you may need to adjust and check if there are any associated side effects. A 90-day refill is not possible for certain group drugs due to safety concerns laid by FDA.
Benefits of Switching to 90 days Refill
There are many benefits of switching to 90 days refill:
1. Cost-Effectiveness
Conventionally, retail pharmacies mainly distribute prescribed medications for the treatment of chronic illness with a 30-day-supply limit.
In 2008, Walmart introduced a 90-day refill supply program to distribute medicines for chronic illness for $10 via its retail pharmacy (2).
If your doctor gives you the prescription for a 90-days refill, then only you can buy a 90-day refill. It is the best option to choose a 90-day refill during this pandemic time and avoid frequent visits to the pharmacy.
A study observed that in the three years (20107-2009), the ratio of 90-day refill dispensing was increased from 5.1% to 8.0% from Medicare part D and 5.0% to 8.1% in commercial health plans.
The 90-day refill ratio growth suggests that consumers can save money, and it is more convenient. Switching to a 90-day refill can save an average of $82/year. The growing demand is also in support of offering consumers access to extended day supplies of prescriptions online and retail pharmacies.
Consumers also prefer 90 day supply over 30 day supply and have mentioned high overall satisfaction levels with both retail and online service (3).
According to Walgreens’ survey, 4 of 5 patients opted for 90 days refill at retail and mail-order pharmacies. Few pharmacies have offered a 30-day supply of certain generic medications at 4 dollars and a 90-day supply for $10 (4).
According to federal regulations, It is crucial to note that no prescription medicines or controlled substances listed in schedule III and IV would be refilled more than six months after the date on which such prescription was issued (5).
For any prescription recommended by your physicians, you cannot refill more than five times within a span of 6 months.
2. Adherence to the Treatment
Buying medicines in bulk is not just cheaper but also more convenient. In these pandemic times, you may avoid frequent visits to the pharmacy so choosing 90-day refills is the best option.
When you opt for a 30-day refill, you have to visit the pharmacy 12 times a year. If you pot 90 days refill, then you might have to visit four times a year. This is the best choice for older adults as you need not worry about frequent refills.
By reducing the refills, it is observed that there is a significant improvement with patients, as they get stuck to their prescribed treatment, and this also brings treatment adherence.
By opting for a 90-day refill, it is less likely that you would run out of your medication and miss your prescribed doses. Some online pharmacies also offer support through apps that remind you over your next refill.
Also, you don’t have to worry about weather conditions to get a refill, waiting time at your pharmacy is saved, and no tension of medicine expiring. Hence 90 days refill helps to save money and time.
In one of the studies, around 14k patients from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California diabetes registry, It was observed that the mail order pharmacy users had better adherence to antidiabetic, antihypertensive medications. In addition, due to treatment adherence, it was observed to have lower diabetes and lesser diabetes-related medical cost over time (6).
3. Environmental impact
Generally, medicines are available in plastic bottles. Plastic bottles are the primary concern for the environment as they are not reusable or can’t be degraded easily.
When you go with a 30-day refill, you will end up buying 12 bottles and, in turn, increase the plastic waste. Choosing a 90-day refill, you will not only save your money and time but also help your environment to reduce plastic waste.
Prescription medicine bottles cannot be reused because of contamination issues. So switching to a 90-day supply is one of the safe and easy ways that you can help to save your environment.
How do I switch to 90-Days Refill?
If you are suffering from a chronic long-term disorder like thyroid, blood pressure, diabetes, etc., you can opt for a 90-day refill.
Consult your physician and discuss the 90-day refill if your physician agrees to give you a 90-day prescription, which is good enough to get you a 90-day refill.
If you are suffering a chronic disease in the past 6months, then the doctor may not suggest a 90-day refill because your body needs to get adjusted to a particular brand and dosage of medicine.
If you plan to switch to generic medicine, physicians may not agree to 90-day refills because your body needs to react positively to these generic medicines.
A 90-day refill prescription is not recommended for seasonal diseases, and for antibiotics, and antidepressants.
You are eligible for a 90-refill;
- if you are suffering from a long term disease,
- if you don't find any side effects with current medicines, which you have been administered for more than a year
- your health remain consistent with gradual improvement in your health
Final words
If you are looking for medicine at low-cost and at your convenience, then opt for a 90-day refill.
A 90-day refill helps you to save money and time. Studies also have shown that by switching to 90 days refill, you will not skip your dose of medicine. This extended supply of drugs keeps you free from worries about running out of stock.
During the covid or pandemic or even during the bad weather, if you choose the 90-refill, you may avoid frequent visits to the pharmacy.