Prescription Refill Guidelines
- We have changed our office policy on refill requests to improve the efficiency and timeliness of refills. We are asking that all patients call their pharmacy to have them FAX us a refill request at 404-817-0064. This will provide documentation that the refill has been communicated with the pharmacy and reduce errors in calling in medications.
- Many times, prescriptions are written with a number of refills already approved. Your pharmacy would have a record of this and could save time by being able to go ahead and fill that medicine.
- You should call the office and leave a message if you require a written prescription for a controlled medication or if you need to speak with our staff regarding a new medication that you are requesting.
- If your medication requires a prior authorization, please have the pharmacy FAX us that information.
- Always allow 24 hours for us to process refill requests. Be sure to call your pharmacy to confirm that your prescription is ready before going to pick it up, even if it has been 24 hours.
- Routine prescription refill requests are not processed on any day the office is closed, including weekends and holidays. Please plan accordingly and call in your refill request before you run out of your medication.
- In some cases, we may require that you schedule an office visit prior to refilling your medication(s). Please remember that this is for your health and safety.
Regarding Requests for Mail or Fed-Ex Prescription for Controlled Substances
Due to a variety of issues we have changed our protocol with regard to the way we dispense prescriptions for certain controlled substances when a patient is unable to come into the office and obtain the prescription personally. Examples of such prescriptions include Adderall, Ritalin, pain medications such as Percocet, etc.
Our preference is to hand these prescription to the individual for whom they have been written when the patient is in the office. However, we do understand that occasionally a patient may need a refill prescription written when they are unexpectedly out-of-town, or unable to come into the office personally. In these cases, we will send prescriptions by Fed-Ex, signature required, at the patient’s expense. Effective immediately, we will no longer mail prescriptions using the US Postal Service.
If you need to have a prescription Fed-Ex’d to you, we will first require a valid Credit Card number. We will charge your credit card for the cost of shipping the prescription to you, plus a $5.00 convenience fee. We will then confirm the address the prescription is to be sent to. Provided your request is received before 4:00 pm, we will have your RX processed standard overnight delivery to you that same day. If your request is received on a Friday, you will pay extra for Saturday delivery, when available, if you so desire.
We are also initiating a new procedure for patients who are picking up samples or prescriptions from the front desk, and who wish to send a significant-other, family member, or co-worker to pick up the samples or prescriptions. Please be sure the front desk staff knows ahead of time that someone other than you will be picking up those items, giving the front desk staff the name of the individual. Then, please have that individual be prepared to show a photo ID.
Follow-Up Policy
We understand that it can be a hassle to come into the office for a follow-up on "routine" prescription medications and that it may complicate your already hectic schedule. It is absolutely essential, however, that we request - and that you keep- these appointments. Please work with us, for your health! Here are just a few of the reasons:
- Dosages may need to be adjusted for maximum effectiveness and safety.
- Liver and/or muscle enzymes may need to be monitored for potential drug toxicity.
- The Food and Drug Administration may have discovered new potential toxicities or changed dosing recommendations.
- New studies may suggest a new or different approach that would be more suitable or effective for you.
In addition, the DEA tracks all of our prescriptions for any controlled substance, and we must adhere to the accepted standards. There are also medicolegal and ethical standards to which we adhere in the interest of providing good medicine.
If you need more incentive, consider that many times it is at
follow-up visits that early cancers and other serious problems are
discovered. These detections can result in life-saving treatment
that would otherwise have been delayed.
Here's a general schedule for required follow-up visits:
| Antidepressants | 1-3 months |
| Addictive medications (any) | 1-3 months |
| Diabetes/insulin resistance | 1-3 months |
| Hepatitis C (active treatment) | 2 weeks to monthly |
| Hepatitis C | 1-3 months |
| HIV (T-cells under 200) | Monthly |
| HIV | 1-3 months |
| Hormone therapy (estrogen, testosterone) | 1-3 months |
| Hypertension | 1-6 months, depending on level of control |
| Lipid/cholesterol medications | 3 months |
| Narcotics | 2-4 weeks |
| Ritalin | Monthly |
| Sleep aids | 3 months |
| Thyroid medications | 6-12 months |