How Do I Get A Prescription Online?
Whether you’re out of town, your doctor is on vacation, or you simply don’t have access to a local physician, telemedicine services have made it possible for you to access your medication over the internet. If you’re new to the concept of telemedicine, you might be wondering how to go about such a feat; you’re not alone.
Telemedicine services were first invented as a method for those without access to a doctor to get medical care, but have since grown into a billion dollar global industry available in countries all over the world. Telemedicine refers to the availability of medical assistance remotely through technology. This could include radio, telephone, online chat, or video feeds to retrieve diagnoses, advice, prescriptions, and more. The official Medicaid website describes telemedicine as follows; “For purposes of Medicaid, telemedicine seeks to improve a patient\'s health by permitting two-way, real time interactive communication between the patient, and the physician or practitioner at the distant site. This electronic communication means the use of interactive telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment.”
As you read this article, you will be introduced to a more in-depth look at telemedicine, internet prescription services, and how you can go about obtaining them. You will also come to understand a little bit about the pros and cons of these services, the laws behind them, and how your insurance plan works to provide you access to them.
The Prescription Process
If you’ve found yourself in a position where your schedule or location won’t afford you access to your regular GP, you can still get your prescription refilled through an online provider. The first step in this process is to fill out some information about yourself and your condition so that you can speak to a doctor. Online medical services usually offer one on one consultations with U.S. based doctors. If they don’t, be wary about the legalities of the site, as American citizens are required to have an appointment with a registered doctor before medication can be obtained.
Once you have filled in an online questionnaire, you may receive an email or account login. This will grant you access to members areas and the assistance of a doctor. The doctor will be able to see and ask about your current condition or prescription and verify the medication you require. He or she will then forward your refill to a local pharmacy where it can be picked up at your convenience. This is all done without the need to leave home or the office, until the time comes to pickup your prescription. For elderly patients, patients with limited mobility, or rural dwellers, this can be highly advantageous.
Finding the Right Prescription Provider
Before you go about obtaining your prescription, there are a few things to consider, such as legalities, safety, and the credibility of the website. Reading online reviews, checking with your local state government about telemedicine laws, and looking for approval through the FDA will help you first determine whether a site is legal and safe to use. Once you’ve done this, you can investigate services offered. USA.gov, an official website of the United States government, explains; “If you’re busy or can’t physically get to a store, using an online pharmacy may be a good solution. But before you do, review the website carefully. Some sites that offer prescription drugs or other medical products at low prices may be fraudulent. Consider using only U.S. -based pharmacies licensed by a state’s board of pharmacy.”
Some providers offer patient diagnosis, new prescriptions, or refills, others only offer prescription refills. This could be due to laws within your state, or the preference of doctors on staff. Some also specialize in individual fields of medicine such as smoking cessation, or men’s health. This makes it easy for those with specific needs to get the help they require in a private and affordable manner. During your doctor consult, you can inquire about the different services and products offered, and how you can go about obtaining them if you don’t currently have a valid prescription for a certain type of medication.
Reasons to Use Doctors Online
There are many reasons Americans choose to use the online medical services now available to them; the number one reason being convenience. Many men and women don’t have the luxury of taking time off from work to visit a medical clinic every time a prescription is required. Using telemedicine services cuts out the middle man and the need to travel, making it simple to acquire a prescription from the comfort of home and at your own leisure. This is also particularly useful for those who live in remote rural locations where doctor services aren’t available, and the nearest clinic is a few hours drive from home.
Aside from the issues of convenience and distance, there is also the benefit of privacy and cost. Using an online service may require you to speak to a doctor about your condition, as it would with traditional medical care, but it also offers the opportunity to avoid long waits in lines full of nosy people, or discussing your condition openly with a pharmacist when you’d rather keep it private. These services often advertise their discretion and security, and because of money saved by operating outside of a physical location, costs for these prescriptions are often lower than average.
Of course, it’s still important to keep standing appointments with your local family doctor, as online medical care is not recommended as an appropriate alternative to traditional medical care.
Internet Medical Care and Coverage
Within the U.S. there are differences in telehealth and prescription services from state to state. This means that some states may provide more in-depth services, while others offer only minimal services over the web. There are also drastic differences in the amount of coverage and reimbursement you will receive, making it important to do your research into your current insurance of Medicaid plan. The Center for Connected Health Policy writes; “In some cases, states have duplicated aspects of Medicare’s policy on telehealth, while others have developed their own policies for their Medicaid program.” According to the Center, there is also some discrepancy over what telehealth and telemedicine should include state by state. 47 states and D.C. have laws and regulations involving their Medicaid and online services, while Rhode Island, Alabama, and New Jersey have yet to define telehealth or formally structure an insurance program to suit it.
Getting Your Prescription Filled
In conclusion, you can absolutely receive prescription services online, and the process has become quite streamlined. By filling out an online questionnaire, meeting with a doctor, answering his or her questions regarding your health and medical history, and driving to a local pharmacy, you can achieve a prescription without missing work, visiting a local GP, or waiting in a long pharmacy lineup for drop off and pickup.
Safety Precautions Involved in Prescriptions Online
To obtain a prescription safely, there are rules and processes which must be followed. This is to protect you, and your physician from obtaining an improper diagnosis or prescription. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains; “Protect yourself and your family by using caution when buying medicine online. There are many pharmacy websites that operate legally and offer convenience, privacy, and safeguards for purchasing medicines.”
For most telemedicine prescription services, the first step is meeting with a medical professional through a one on one consultation. It’s important to verify that the site you are using offers services from real, certified, U.S. based physicians. This will guarantee you the best possible experience, and a high-quality product.
Before meeting with a doctor, you will be asked some personal questions, and may be required to create an online account with the prescription service you are using. This helps the doctor better understand your needs before meeting you. Fortunately, signing up to speak to a doctor is easy, and takes minutes in most cases. The one on one consultation may take place over the telephone, online chat, or a video chat. During the consultation, your attending physician will ask you questions regarding your health, medical history, and the nature of your prescription. Some internet pharmacy services are only able to provide refills, while others may be able to supply a new prescription for a new or existing condition; this will depend on medical laws and other restrictions in your state.
Retrieving Your Prescription
Once you’ve met with a medical professional, and he or she has determined that your refill is valid, your prescription is usually forwarded to a nearby pharmacy. Some online services will send prescriptions to your home through the mail, but this takes time, and may not always be safe. By using a service which sends your prescription to a pharmacy, you know exactly who is filling it and what you’re getting. Whether you’re in your home town, or in the next state over on a family vacation, you can rest assured that a certified pharmacist is supplying your medicine. Retrieving your prescription is as easy as driving to the pharmacy where it is forwarded and picking it up at the pick-up window. This saves you time standing in the drop-off line, and reduces the need to explain your prescription within earshot of other shoppers. It also offers flexibility in scheduling your appointment and prescription pickup. Rather than dictating your life by the availability of your doctor, you can speak to a physician from the comfort of home and pickup your medicine when you are able.
How Telemedicine Have Made a Difference
Not only do online consultations make for less time spent in a doctor office or pharmacy lineup, they also allow for a great deal of convenience, affordability, and privacy. One of the main reasons telemedicine became necessary was to provide healthcare to those who couldn’t obtain it due to physical restrictions or location. Rural dwellers benefit from the ability to see a doctor without driving hours outside of their township to do so. Similarly, individuals and families who are away from home without a prescription, or unable to reach a family doctor due to availability can use telemedicine to get the medication they need on time.
Saving Money
Online services use less equipment, staff, and physical space than traditional medical clinics, saving money on resources that would commonly be used to get you a prescription. Money is saved on electricity, rent, wages, and third party involvement; this means less money spent by medical practitioners, and thus, less money required by you to support the prescription system. Many telehealth providers offer a discount on the cost of diagnoses and prescriptions because of this change in finances, giving you a break when it comes to footing the cost of your medical bill. Each provider will have their own fees and financial benefits, so don’t be afraid to ask about cost and discounts before using a service.
Valuing Your Privacy
Your medical history is a private thing, and not everybody wants to share the why and what of their condition with multiple strangers. Telemedicine offers a less invasive way to fill a prescription, without the need to share your story with multiple physicians, walk-in clinic workers, nurses, and pharmacists. Instead, your medication information passes directly from your general practitioner to the local pharmacists, to you.
State Law
While telemedicine is legal and used openly around the world, you will find that some aspects of telemedicine services change from state to state. These practices are decided by governing bodies and medical boards based on the safety and wellbeing of patients. You can learn more about your state laws through the Center for Connected Health Policy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or your official state government website.
In the United States, there are also some laws regarding telehealth, which extend across the country. For example, in 2008, an act was passed for online pharmacy services by congress, called the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act. This act protects consumers by restricting online services from distributing medicine without a doctor written prescription. The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center writes; “For a prescription to be valid, it must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice, meaning that, with limited exceptions, a doctor must conduct at least one medical evaluation of the patient in person or via telemedicine.”
Taking Advantage of Online Prescriptions
Can a doctor write you a prescription without seeing you in person? Absolutely, but it’s recommended that patients research the online services they intend to use to evaluate legitimacy. Unless you live in a rural area without access to a doctor, it’s also recommended that patients don’t try to replace a family GP with an online service. Regular doctor appointments, checkups, and physicals are important in promoting and maintaining your health. So, while an online consultation can help you get a prescription in a pinch, it shouldn’t be your only avenue of medical care.
If you’re curious to learn more about online medical care in your area, speak to your physician, or reach out to local telehealth practitioners. Most online providers are happy to offer free information about their services.
WARNING: Limitations of Online Doctor/Medical Consultations and Online Prescriptions, QuickRxRefills Cannot and Will NOT Prescribe, Dispense, or Resell any and all medications Narcotics/Controlled Substances (this policy is fully enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)) for Anti-depressants, Pain, Anxiety, Weightloss, Sleep, ADHD/ADD, Anabolic Steroids, Testosterone Replacement Therapy and any and all Medications that contain GabaPentin or Pseudroephedrine including non-controlled substances or any medications that are considered controversial, Off Labeled (Growth Hormone aka HGH) or recalled in nature such (i.e. Retin-A, Accutane). Furthermore, QuickRxRefills is not a substitute for an office based physician in your location nor is it a substitute for Emergency Medical Care or 911. If you do experience a "true" medical emergency your are encouraged to pick up the phone and dial 911 as soon as possible.
