Where to buy prescription drugs?

The United States is a country where medicine is separated, which means that doctors only seepatients and write prescriptions, but do not sell medicines. Patients go to pharmacies to buy medicines based on prescriptions. You can buy prescription drugs at pharmacies everywhereon the road, such as some CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Safeway, and Duane Reade;or in the pharmacy section of large supermarkets, such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club.

How to buy prescription drugs?

●Make an appointment with a doctor: After a visit, the doctor will issue a prescription based on the diagnosis.

●Get an order: You need to confirm the pharmacy information with the doctor when you see the doctor. The doctor pastes the electronic prescription directly to the designated pharmacy. If there is no confirmed pharmacy for the time being, you can ask your doctor for a paper prescription, and then go to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine yourself.

●To pick up your medication at the pharmacy: Bring your ID and insurance card to the pharmacy. The pharmacist registers and verifies the information and starts dispensing the prescription. If the doctor directly transmits the electronic prescription to the pharmacy, you can first contact the pharmacy to confirm whether the medicine has been filled and confirm the pick-up time. Pick up your medication at the pharmacy pick-up area. The pharmacist will explain how to use it and possible side effects. If you have any questions, please consult your pharmacist promptly.

●Regarding refilling: For some conditions that require long-term use, regular refilling (replenishment) is usually required. The number of consecutive refills is usually marked on the drug label. If you feel that the existing medicines are not effective or have too many side effects, you need to contact your doctor to change the prescription.

What to do if prescription drugs are too expensive?

The prices of medications in the United States are determined by pharmaceutical companies. To avoid issues with drug reimbursement due to high prices, we can consider the following:

●Switching medications: If you and your doctor find that the medication you are currently using is expensive and there are lower-priced alternatives available, you may consider switching. However, any change in medication should be discussed with your doctor, and you should not alter your medication regimen without proper consultation.

●Bulk purchasing: Sometimes, purchasing larger quantities of the same medication can lead to discounts. You can consider buying medications in bulk to take advantage of price discounts.

●Using discount cards: As mentioned earlier, some membership cards and prescription discount cards can help alleviate the financial burden of medications.

How to reimburse prescription drugs?

In the United States, the reimbursement of prescription drugs through health insurance depends on whether the drug is "likely to be covered by insurance."

●Regular medications: These are considered the most basic and commonly used medications, and most are covered under standard health insurance plans. However, different insurance companies may have varying standards for reimbursing these medications.

●Non-routine medications: These are specialized medications used for specific treatments or conditions. Coverage for these medications may require meeting additional criteria and may involve submitting more documentation.

●Typical commercial drugs: Typically, these medications are covered by insurance companies as long as the prescription and dispensing process, pricing, and management meet certain criteria.

●Specialty drugs: These are high-cost, complex medications used for specific medical conditions. Coverage for specialty drugs often requires additional documentation and may come with higher costs.

How much can be reimbursed for prescription drugs?

If the illness or injury is covered by insurance, prescription drugs will be reimbursed at 70% of the normal cost (subject to the deductible), up to the maximum limit for each illness or injury you purchased. When you need to get your prescription filled, you can take the prescription provided by your doctor to the pharmacy. Be sure to bring your universal URX discount card. You must pay for the prescription drugs at the pharmacy, but holding the card entitles you to a discount of 10% to 50%. Then, you can submit the receipt and claim form to the cliams senter of our STAC  for reimbursement.