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Frequently Asked Questions and Useful Information:
LINKS:
American Academy of Family Practice - www.aafp.org
American College of Osteopathic Family Practitioners www.acofp.org
American Medical Association - www.AMA-Assn.org
American Diabetes Association - www.ADA.com
Prescriptions:
1. How can I get a refill of my medication?
There are several ways you can refill your medications, as discussed below.
Request a Refill from Your Pharmacist:
This is probably the simplest way to obtain a refill. Simply request a refill from your pharmacist and they will fax us the request which will be filled typically in 1-2 days. Remember to give several days of "lead time" so that your prescription can be refilled before you run out of your current medication.
Call the Office voicemail:
You can always call the office and navigate the voicemail system to the Refill Request Line. These requests are answered several times daily, and will also be filled typically within 24-48 hrs after calling. Please be sure to give all the appropriate information, including name of medication and dose, instructions as listed on your current prescription, your name and phone number, and the number of the pharmacy you wish the prescription to be sent to.
Call the Office Triage Nurse:
We typically like to reserve this method for urgent requests, you are welcome to call and speak with our Triage Nurse regarding your refill. Depending on the nature of your request, this may take 48-72 hrs to fill, unless, of course, it is urgent. We ask that you exercise your best judgment when making this request.
Online Prescription Refill:
You can always use the website you're currently on to request refills (www.missionfmg.com). As with any information exchanged on our website, your request is strictly confidential, and appears only on your physician's "desktop." Because we are constantly updating our website, this request may take 48-72 hrs to process.
2. Is this medication covered by my insurance company?
Unfortunately, there is no way for us to know what types of medications or services your insurance company offers. Such information is proprietary and dependent on the individual policies that are available for purchase. The most effective way to determine which medications are covered by your insurance company is to check on their formulary, a copy of which is typically given to you when you with the insurance product you chose. It is best to bring a copy of the formulary with you to your visit so that your physician can help choose an appropriate medication which is covered. Doing so will also help you become more familiar with your insurance coverage.
3. What is a "Formulary"?
A formulary is a listing of all the medications your insurance company covers, including the cost of the co-pay associated with each particular medication. Most formularies are "tiered", meaning that while a particular medication may be covered under your policy, it may belong in a higher tier, which typically translates into a higher co-pay for you. Tier structures tend to be highly variable and dependent on each individual's insurance policy. If you bring your formulary with you to your appointment, your physician may be able to help you choose the most appropriate medication on the lowest tier (i.e., the least expensive co-pay).
4. Are generic medications just as effective as brand-name medications?
You'll probably find varying opinions regarding this subject, but generally speaking, generic medications can be as effective as branded products. Some medications have extremely small dosages (measured in micrograms or 1/1,000,000 of a gram), such as thyroid medications and some heart medications (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl, Digoxin). Theoretically, these dosages can be affected by variations in the manufacturing process, as well as the efficiency of the quality control mechanisms utilized. Pharmaceutical manufactures of brand name products tend to have superior processing ability, and engage in tightly regulated quality control protocols to ensure the accuracy of the dosage of each medication made. Thus, in these instances, brand name medications are generally preferred since a small variation in the actual dose of the medication may have significant consequences clinically.
5. Where can I go to get my prescription filled?
There are six local pharmacies within a very close proximity of our office, each of which have provided quality and timely services to our patients. The pharmacies and their respective contact information is listed below:
Super Rx Pharmacy
(Stater Brothers Market on Hwy. 79 South & Margarita)
Sav-On Drugs
(Albertson's on Hwy. 79 South & Margarita)
Sav-On Drugs
(corner of Hwy. 79 South & Butterfield Stage Road)
Ralph's Pharmacy
(intersection of Hwy. 79 South & Butterfield Stage Road)
WalMart Pharmacy
(Hwy. 79 South & RedHawk Pkwy.)
Rite-Aid Pharmacy
(Hwy. 79 South next to Stater Bros. Market)
Referrals:
6. When will my referral be done?
Generally, most referrals must be "authorized" or "approved" by each individual insurance company depending on their own specific policies. This process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks. Of course, emergency referrals are considered on an individual basis, and will be handled according to the urgency of the condition and the appropriate level of care required. Questions regarding referrals can be directed to our Referral Coordinator
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