How to Purchase Mail-Order Prescription Drugs

The cost of medications can quickly add up even if you have insurance coverage. Your insurer may not cover certain medications or place a higher co-payment on prescriptions that your doctor prefers. One way to reduce costs for medication is to purchase them via mail order. Buying prescription medications by mail order can save you money and help you avoid a trip to the drug store each month.

Instructions

• 1

  Get your prescription. You are legally entitled to a copy of all prescriptions that a doctor issues to you. Your doctor's office should be able to provide you with the original.

• 2

  Check to see that the prescription is accurate. Verify that your name is spelled correctly. The prescription should also contain the name of the medication, the form--such as pills or liquid-- and the dosage necessary. If you are unable to read this information, you may need to contact your doctor again.

• 3

  Call your health insurance company. Find out whether the insurance company has a preferred mail-order pharmacy they want you to work with. Some companies offer discounts if you work with a specific company.

• 4

  Pick a mail-order pharmacy. Mail-order pharmacies allow you to buy medications by phone and via the Internet. Some well-known pharmacies such as CVS do business by mail order. Others are free-standing pharmacies that work only by mail order. A legitimate mail-order pharmacy should be licensed by the state board of pharmacists, require a prescription, have a licensed pharmacist you can talk with and have direct contact information, such as a phone number listed on the website.

• 5

  Fill in the required fields on the order form. When ordering prescription drugs by mail order, you will be required to fill out a form. The form will ask for your name, date of birth and other personal information.

• 6

  Fax or mail in your prescription. If you are mailing it, send it by certified mail to make sure it gets to the correct address.

• 7

  Contact the pharmacy. Make sure that all documents were filled out correctly and that they have received the copy of the prescription. You may have to call your doctor to ask for information about the prescription if the company is unable to read your doctor's handwriting.