Re: Do I have to keep going to the doc to get my m
Klonopin and Xanax are both schedule 3 controled substances, and as such any Rx is only vail for 6 months. Due to its control status many doctors are anal about how they write for it.
A lot of doctors don't like to write for a ton of refills to help prevent potential abuse of the medication. A typical Rx i see for Xanax or Klonopin is a 30 days supply with 2 refills. That would be 3 months worth of medication. I would talk to your doctor and explain your situation, he may not be involved with billing and have no idea you're paying that much for an office visit. If he declines, based on wanting to be in control of the refilling of the medication ask if you can call a day or two before you are out of medication and come in and pick up a new rx with 0 refills ( treating it more like a schedule 2 medication. Like Percocet or Adderall Xr, by law you cant refill them and the patient must present a new hardcopy RX with a signature and dea# for each fill) and that you will come in every 3 months or every 2 months or how ever often he wants for an office visit just as long as its not every month (because you cant afford that.)
This is a problem i'm starting to see in my pharmacy more and more everyday. Doctors are not paying attention to the cost of a patients health care. While that shouldn't be their first concern it should be high up on the list. If a doctor writes for lipitor and the patient has a copay of $50 for 30 days and the patient cant afford that, the patient won't take the medication. If the doctor switches them to generic Zocor, most likely the copay would be more reasonable and the patient would take the medication. SO is it better to write for the latest and greatest medication that the patient will not take, or the older affordable one, that they will take?
This applies to the OP situation. If an honest conversation about your ability to pay that much that often fails with this doctor. I would seek out a more compassionate doctor. Someone who is willing to try and understand your position and work toward a compromise that you are both comfortable with.
Another option is to talk to your pharmacist. As a pharmacist, I frequently intercede on behalf of patients in similar situations to yours. I've written letters, and sent proof of responsible use of medications to help provide evidence that the patient can be trusted.
Another quick tip, don't try and have this talk over the phone. GO in for an Office Visit! Take your Rx labels to show your responsible filling habits and to show your copays, and show him your old office receipts, to show your expensive office visit payment.
Remember, doctors are people too, and at one time they were poor bastards too. Hopefully yours will be able to remember what it is like.
Best of luck!
If you need more help, i can email you the form i give out to people who need help talking to their doctor about the affordability of their treatment. Its a helpful list of topics, and key points.
