What to Do If You Need an Early Refill or A Replacement Prescription

For those who take medications regularly, there may be times when an early refill is needed. If someone is going out of town and will not be available to pick up their prescription, may need more to cover lost medication, or may need to replace medications after an issue like theft, they may need to ask to be able to get the refill early. It is important for patients to understand what they can do if they need their medication early and what their options are for how much they can get ahead of the typical refill. 

The Reason Why Makes a Difference

The reason why someone may need to have their prescription refilled can make a difference in whether it’s possible and how early you can refill a prescription. If the dosage was miscounted and only one or two are needed, it’s likely going to be easy to have it refilled. If it was just filled and an emergency occurred, like if the medication was lost or stolen, it may be a little harder to get a refill, but it should still be possible with the right help. Consider the exact situation and why the medication is taken to determine the next steps to take. 

Call the Pharmacy to Ask About the Refill

The first step may be to call the pharmacy to ask about a refill. There are insurance rules in place that dictate how early someone can get a refill, which may allow for it to be picked up a few days to a week early. The pharmacy can answer questions about this as well as explain how many refills are left, how long the patient may need to wait to refill it, and more. Though the pharmacy may not be able to make any exceptions on their own for refills, this can be a good start to help get the medication a little bit earlier. This may be all that’s needed if the medication is only needed a few days early. 

Some Medications May Have Strict Rules

Keep in mind that there are some medications, like controlled substances, that may not be possible to refill early. ADHD medications, pain medications, sleep aids, and more are all considered controlled substances, so it may not be easy to get an early refill for them. There are likely state and federal laws that determine how early these medications can be refilled. If someone is going on vacation and needs a refill a few days early, it may be possible, but it may not be easy to replace the medications if they were lost or destroyed. A pharmacy may be able to let the patient know if the medication they need is a controlled substance and can’t be refilled early. 

Ask About Short-Term Refills

For someone going on vacation or who is otherwise unable to pick up the prescription on time, it may be a good idea to ask about a short-term refill. This is intended to cover a short period, like a week, to fill the gap while waiting for a full refill or until it’s possible to pick up the typical refill. It is usually necessary to speak with a doctor to be able to get a short-term refill, though this can be the best way to prevent potential gaps in medical care for prescriptions that are taken regularly. 

Prepare to Use Documentation to Prove Need

There are some exceptions to refill laws surrounding controlled substances or other medications that can’t be refilled early. If someone has their medication stolen, for instance, they may be able to get a replacement for it. However, they will need to prove what happened and why they need the refill early to prevent potential issues. For this, they may need a police report or other documentation. This doesn’t guarantee that the person will be able to get an early refill, but it can help make it more likely they will be approved. This can be provided to the insurance company, doctor’s office, or anyone else who requires documentation before approving the refill. 

Ask the Insurance Company for an Override

If the prescription can’t be refilled early enough, it may be a good idea to ask the insurance company for an override. Often, medications are limited to when they can be refilled because the insurance company will only pay for a certain amount of medication per month. There may be a little bit of flexibility if the patient needs the medication a day or two early, but if it’s more than that, insurance may not be willing to cover it. With an override, the medications can still be covered under insurance, and the person can get the refill a little faster. 

Consider Self-Pay for Medications

Insurance companies may not pay for refills if they are done too early. However, this doesn’t mean a refill is impossible if an override can’t be obtained. Instead, if the issue is that insurance isn’t willing to pay for an early refill, patients may want to consider paying for it out of pocket. This does depend on the medication, as some may be prohibitively expensive. Look for discounts or coupons to help cover the cost if self-pay for an early refill is possible. 

Plan Ahead to Avoid Future Emergencies

It is a good idea, where possible, to plan ahead to avoid future emergencies. Asking for 90-day supplies, instead of monthly, can help ensure the medication is on hand if someone goes out of town and may prevent them from running out of it unexpectedly. Though this doesn’t prevent every potential problem, it can reduce the need for early refills. 

Sometimes, it is possible to get a refill ahead of time, but depending on the reason and the medication, it may not be as simple as just asking the pharmacy for help. Work with your doctor and the pharmacy, explaining the situation carefully, to be able to get a refill early and make sure you have all of your medications as needed. This way, you don’t have to worry about going without them when you need them.