Buying extra prescription medications

[Captain Cactus]

I have a question about prescription medications...I suspect someone here knows the answer.

Currently I get my life-saving pills (addison's disease...) at the pharmacy and the insurance company covers most of the cost and I pay a co-pay.  None of the meds are controlled substances.  Pretty boring, generic meds.

Is there anything keeping me from buying larger amounts than the 3 months at a time that I currently get?  Is the limitation an insurance thing, or a doctor thing?  And if I pay cash (ie I don't go through the insurance company), can I buy, say, 12 month's worth at a time?

For context, I'm just thinking ahead to possible supply chain issues, etc... just being extra cautious. 

[SimpleCycle]

So, at its root, the limitation is an insurance limitation.  They won't pay for more than 3 months at a time, and they won't refill more than X days before you are scheduled to run out.  Sometimes you can get an extra month with a one time waiver, but that's about it.

You are also limited to how much your doctor is willing to prescribe, but I seriously doubt if you said to your doc "I'd like a backup supply of my lifesaving medication" they'd be unwilling to prescribe it.  The biggest practical issue is storage and rotating your stock so that the pills don't expire before you can use them.

[secondcor521]

If you want insurance to pay, it's an insurance limitation, as PP mentioned.

If you're willing to pay, and the doctor has given you enough refills, then it will be up to the pharmacy as to whether they will dispense early.  I know for my son's ADHD medications, which were controlled substances with street value, they were *very* tight on early refills.  But since this isn't true in your case, the pharmacy might be willing to refill early for you.

I'd ask your pharmacy.

[evme]

Have you checked the cheapest price for the meds with GoodRx? If your doctor is willing to write a prescription for 1-2 years worth and it's not too expensive, it might be worth it to pay out of pocket for the piece of mind.

[BikeFanatic]

I am not aware/familiar with your medications but I do know that some retiree's get  a years supply of med when they travel to Mexico. I do not know if they get a prescription or if the meds are over the counter there. I am on meds some of which are cheaper without using my insurance as they have been generic for years, good RX is a great place to start med shopping and Walmart also has some pretty good prices.

[Financial.Velociraptor]

I keep roughly 180 days supply.  To get the extra 90 day supply, you have to visit the dr and get a fresh script shortly after filling your regular supply.  With a fresh scrip (even if it is identical to the previous order) it is no trouble.  My dr. fortunately, will write for 4 refills of 90 day meds.  Note, all non-controlled substances.  SSRI meds and blood pressure.

[scottish]

I like to have a 90 to 180 day supply of everything.    Insurance provides for a 90 day supply on renewal, however their tracking doesn't seem to be very accurate, so I'm able to accumulate a few extra months supply over a couple of years.