Buzz
While many of us are busy stocking up on essentials like food, toilet paper, and cleaning products, it’s equally important to ensure we have access to our daily medications during the pandemic. According to the CDC, nearly half of Americans have used a prescription medication within the past month. That’s a lot of prescriptions, countless trips to the pharmacy, and an increased risk of exposure to the virus.
Given the importance of minimizing our trips outside, one option is to have prescriptions delivered straight to your home. Instead of going to the pharmacy each month and risking exposure, more and more pharmacies are offering home delivery services.
CVS is offering free prescription shipping through May 1, which also includes the delivery of other essentials like over-the-counter meds and vitamins.
Walgreens’ Express delivery service delivers prescriptions from nearby locations, and certain medications come with free shipping.
Walmart provides free standard shipping on all prescriptions.
Other services, including the online pharmacy Express Scripts and Amazon’s Pill Pack, also offer free shipping.
Don't forget to contact your local pharmacy to ask about their delivery options.
The CDC advises that you should keep a supply of medications on hand for a few weeks in case you develop symptoms of the coronavirus and need to self-isolate. However, due to the various restrictions imposed by health insurance companies on early refills, including limitations on how much medication you can obtain at once and when you can pick it up, stocking up isn't as simple as just visiting the pharmacy and getting enough for the next few months.
In response to the ongoing crisis, some health insurance providers have started to ease their policies on early refills, which could help you obtain enough medication to last a longer period. Make sure to contact your insurance provider or visit their website to check if this adjustment applies to you.
