Hi, we are doing to travel from town to town and state to state...any advise on getting perscriptions filled? Thanks

Most nationwide pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS and Walmart will fill your prescription at their local store, no matter where you are. I had my prescription at a Walgreens location in Tucson. I took a flight to NY City, and forgot my prescription. I walked into a NY Walgreens, told them what happened, and they refilled my prescription on the spot.

We always carry a letter from our Dr explaining all our meds. If travelling for quite a while then we have our Dr release enough meds for our trip. If you use the same chain of pharmacies you should have no problem. They share info. The issue becomes harder if you try at a different pharmacy, they don't know when you had a refill. I take some very powerful medication and it can only be released every so often without a Dr's. explanation. Try to take as much with you from your usual pharmacy.

We have been using Walmart for years for exactly this same problem. HOWEVER, we have run into a few problems, in at least one state, New York, if a prescription is transferred to them, it cannot be transferred back to another! So it's a good idea to ask the pharmacy first before transferring current prescriptions. In some cases, we have found it very easy to call our prescribing doctor and have a one month script faxed to the local Walmart. Be sure to give them the store number, and the number for them to fax to.

Depends on your medication. Some medications such as pain medications stimulants, and many anti-anxiety medication either cannot be refilled (class 2) or can only be transferred one time (Class 3 &4) and the transfer of medications is governed by State law, so it does vary in States. If possible you should travel with a written prescription for your medications, again depending on the medication the written prescription is good for 6 to 12 months. When you need a refill, bring your prescription bottle to the pharmacy 2 to 3 days (weekdays) before it is needed. The pharmacist can then call the doctor if the State does not permit computer transfers. If you need a class 2, pain or stimulant medication all bets are off. Most pharmacist will not fill the RX if they do not have knowledge of the patient or the doctor...the federal penalties for making a mistake are just too extreme. Most important is DON'T RUN OUT. Allow enough time for phone calls, faxes, and transfers, remembering there are different time zones, and you are not the only patient...in fact, you are possibly/probably only a one time patient. When all else fails, you are out of medication, and a transfer in not possible, you will then have to visit a local Urgent Care center and have a local doctor rewrite the prescription.Best to you: Gary, retired pharmacist.

We've used Walgreens in both AZ and TX. Just give them the empty bottle with the label on it and they can find it in their system..never a problem.B.O>

filling perscriptions state to state?? how?? | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Johno02
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
With Walmart, can log into my pharmacy page and see all my prescriptions, when they were filled, and whatever else I need to. From anywhere in Internet range. Also, at end of yesr, I have everything I need for IRS in one place.
kellybelly
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
Thanks
CKNSLS
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
CavemanCharlie wrote:
Personally I'd think I would carry a hard copy of everything with me tucked away in some back cupboard or something. I don't trust all of this computer stuff not to crash and then you left with no backup.

I was gone 8 months...no computer issues at Walmart. FYI-Corporate computer systems are backed up at least every evening.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Oct 26, 2013
Personally I'd think I would carry a hard copy of everything with me tucked away in some back cupboard or something. I don't trust all of this computer stuff not to crash and then you left with no backup.
Johno02
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
I do the thing with a flash drive, and keep all my medical records in one place. I scan lab reports, and any test results, and store them there also. Now, my new blood test meter (that insurance said I had to have) has a flash drive built in for that purpose, so that is Where I keep everything. It also stays on my home computer for backup.

As most providers are quite hesitant about connecting to a strange flash drive, I can plug it into my own laptop, and print out any pages that are needed, or just look at my data and tell them anything that is needed. Also, the pages can be e-mailed whenever necessary.
CKNSLS
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
sdianel wrote:
We tried Walmart and Walgreens and changed to CVS. Walmart had to "transfer" the actual prescriptions then we had to "transfer" them back when we returned home. Pain in the you know what. It meant extra wait time for refills. Walgreens didn't accept my insurance (CHAMPVA). Lately I am using CVS and they are great! Also their employees are very customer friendly. We even use their walk in clinics and get our flu shots there. I can request prescription refills online and select the store I want to pick up. I think they are only on the east coast for now.

I used Walmart from the SouthWest all the way to the East Coast. You are right they have to "transfer" the prescriptions by it's all done electronically and just take a few minutes. There was always a Walmart within 5 miles or so of our campground. Then when I got back home I just took all my prescription bottles and had them transferred back to my local Walmart before I even needed to have them refilled-thus no delay when I did need to refill them at home.

Don't know what problems you had but I had ZERO problems with Walmart.
dadmomh
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
Not familiar with MyMedSchedule, but will check it out. I set ours up in Word and just make the changes as needed. Both DH and DS have long lists of meds and complicated medical problems. It's very helpful to have the Drs notes from the last visit or two - saves a lot of thinking on my part and a lot of unnecessary testing (= $$)if there is a problem. The flash drive does seem like an easy solution, but can certainly understand their being hesitant.
doxiluvr
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2013
I use Walgreen's (90 day supply) and my husband gets his through OptumRX mail order and gets a 90 day supply. I just call their 800 number and order the 3 prescriptions and they UPS it to the address of the RV park in 5-7 business days. Can also do it online, but I prefer to call and then I get a confirmation number in case there is a problem. I use a credit card for the co-pays. Also you get a discount from OptumRX on a 90 day supply.
WoodGlue
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
MyMedSchedule is a breeze, I just set up an easy account and I've already printed my med lists!

Thanks,

WoodGlue
hitchup
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013
We started with CVS, changed to Walmart, went back to CVS and then found they aren't always available in some of the locations we stay. So for the last few years, we switched to Walgreens and never have a problem finding one from San Antonio, TX to MN and up and down the East Coast.