Please Help!! Norco Refill 2 Times In A Row!! Asking Insurance
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Please help!! I am new to this site, this is my first time posting on anything like this. I will be blunt and right to the point! Every month I get 120 Norcos, I have Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance, I live in Michigan! Can I get two early refills back-to-back if I call my insurance company and explain the situation!? We're going out of the country on the 12th and won't be back in till next month and I will definitely be on my medicine by then! But the only problem is I just got a refill last month on the 27th! And last month I called my insurance and got it filled 12 days early because I left on vacation out of country! So now I'm just wondering if I can do this two times in a row? And just pay out-of-pocket!? Or can I go to another pharmacy and say that I don't have insurance? Please help what should I do!! I don't abuse my meds. I have severe carpal tunnel and herniated discs in my back and not having my meds will totally ruin my vacation and I have been saving for almost a year for this trip!! Please help, thank you! I also have the written hard copy of the prescription with me. I have not turned it over to any pharmacy yet if that helps!! Thanks

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36

This is what I learned from my pharmacist. When you bring in a new prescription for narcotics analgesics the pharmacy must check two different data bases to comply with the new federal laws. The first one they check is the pharmacy data base to insure that you are not getting multiple RXs filled at different pharmacies. The other data base is to see if you are due for a refill. They are no longer allowed to fill the narcotic early, nor even 1 day early or they are out of compliance and could be fined or shut down. So, for example, if your Rx was filled on June 27 then you cannot get it filled again until July 27. You have been extremely fortunate that they have even given you an early refill in the past.

If you do get red-flagged you will have a very difficult time getting any narcotic prescriptions filled. Also your physician risks being investigated.

Don't be mad at the pharmacy, they are only following the new federal regulations. Unfortunately those new regulations are very strict. If you want to blame someone, blame the DEA, FDA, Congress and the POTUS as they are the ones who enacted these new laws that are seriously affecting many chronic pain patients.

While you are concerned about getting early refills there are many of us that are dealing with having to wait for days or even a week or more to have our scripts filled because the pharmacy is out of stock due to the new limitations on the amount of stock they can order at one time. Last month I wait 2 weeks past the due date to get my RX filled. This month I had to wait 8 days. I don't have the option of going to another pharmacy because none of them are taking new patients with narcotic RXs.

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35

I'm sorry someone treated you like that!!! No one should have any right to judge, you asked an honest question, some ppl just like to think that they are better then others. Being in constant pain is no joke, now to add going out of the country without your pain meds??? Awful!!! If it were me id be asking the same questions!!! You even stated that your doctor knows your situation!!! Hope you got something figured out, no one should have to suffer!!! You have my prayers!!!

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34

If it's that why haven't you seen a orthopedic surgeon for carpel tunnel surgery. Im a surgical assistant with ortho team at hospital. The surgery is no big deal an takes like 20 min. You would be pain free an not need the Norco's anymore. The way it's going by what your writing K, you sound dependent on them an probably would have some serious withdrawals if you were to even cut back. Your hurting your liver an your Dr should be checking it an other bloodwork done. If not doing that already. Its not good to take pain pills that long. I know. I was or am a Tramadol dependent. Got off them a yr ago in a detox facility. Very hard. Mentally an physically. I don't know why your Dr hasn't referred you to get surgery if its this bad that you need all that pain med. Just sayin. You might look into tapering off for your own good. Goodluck.

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33

It does depend on the pharmacist. They looked you up in their database and/or the state Prescription Monitoring Program database. If you have or had insurance the info is there. It isn't a good idea to lie

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32

I tried because I'm going on vacation and told them I didn't have ins and some how they looked it up and,said sorry too early you have ins somewhere.

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31

It is not unusual for someone else to have to pick up and sign for pain meds.

Federal law states your Dr can write 3-30 day rxs at one visit for a Schedule II Med. I'm surprised your Dr doesn't already do this due to your work. It is up to each Dr how they want to handle each patient.

The federal law rescheduling hydrocodone combination meds last year also stated if a patient has a rx with refills and it was filled prior to Oct 6 2015 that they could get the refills until April 2015. But it didn't force pharmacists to refill these rxs, it was left up to each pharmacy and store.

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30

You are very lucky to get any refills on Hydrocodone products. The week before DEA re-scheduled Hydro to Schedule II, my mother's pharmacist called and advised her "all refills cancelled due to new Federal law." All her nor I has to be by written RX and no refills are allowed.

I think I need to check the date on your post--did I dig up a 2014 post?

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29

In Wa and Ca they have special things in place for Norco, other than the new rules last year? I get Norco if I have a dental procedure or fracture something, does that go in some special Norco file? I wish I could get it for back pain, but am afraid to ask now. Like I said, those who abused it, really hurt those who really need it.

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28

I ended up getting my prescription a few days ago. And thanks to all for the help I really appreciate it!! And I have to leave the country again next month, hopefully I won't have to go thru this again! And I had no idea you could have a narcotic sent to another state!? Or even have someone else pick it up for you, even if it's not the same last name?!

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27

BL, you seem to know everything, why should I do anything. Do you live in WA state? Do you hve chronic pain? Do you take pain meds every day?

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26

I am not in your state, but every state has a prescription drug agency. Look them up, call them and ask for the protocol. That is all I can think for you to do. These new laws have really hurt the people who really need these meds.

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25

You someone to get them for you and send them overnight to you

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24

Hi! DO NOT TRY THE SEVIND PHARMACY/NO INSURANCE THING... Please.
Last summer I was going out of town. He agreed to let me fill really early and wrote the fill date on my prescription. I took it to my insurance's pharmacy (Kaiser)... And asked them what to do. They said as long as they verified with the dr, they would fill.
Make sure your doc knows everything and get his permission... Then call your insurance. Worst case, maybe they can fill and mail to you if you are IN the country. Good luck!

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23

You can get your prescription fill if it was written by a real doctor and not a PA in any state,I hope this help.

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22

K, if you had been red flagged , your right they would not have filled it. The only reason, I said not to go to another pharmacy, is your insurance could tell the new pharmacy, and even with everyone saying no problem, it is just not worth the chance! I take the same med as you and can understand how bad things can get. I told my doc (who retired recently) that real pain does not reconize light from dark. In otherwords just because u go to bed pain doesn't just stop..Hope your trip goes well. zPS the jerks who say nasty things, hve never had REAL PAIN ,or maybethey are lucky to hve the disease that doesn't allow the brain to receive the notice of pain. I have a disease, that the doctors( several of them) said, my brain not only feels the pain, but, is amplified. My surgeon, would not do a simple hernia, until they could figure out how to take care of the pain after the surgery!!

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21

Would you please supply the link to Washington State Law that states the state law requires drug panels. Thanks.

All states have Prescription Monitoring Programs now

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20

Maybe 4 years ago you could get refills refilled like that. Truly the pharmacists are catching hell...im a chronic pain patient too. My advice would be to get a stronger med and split it..this of coarse if your Dr knows you travel a lot. I know I have received one..one early fill and the Dr. Did ok it. .this was 2013 and in Colorado..but Norco doesn't come in doses to be cut. I have had better pain control with me Extended Release med. Also @ being red flagged any pharmacist can do it. The Walgreens down here in fl has a filling policy and if u r turned away from one then your name is in that data base, well because Walgreens got their butts sued. They had employees who were in on a drug ring here in Fl. Anyways my thoughts are not very focused. I would have a true friend or good family pick up the prescription and overnight it to you. Personally id use fed ex and signature required

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19

If you're going to respond back with a nasty reply I am not going to entertain you with another post, and don't you worry because starting tomorrow when I wake up I will change my lifestyle so you can get your prescriptions easier lol, because I'm sure all the trouble you're having is because of me!!? Don't you worry things are going to start happening for you!!! :) and just for the record people that are not abusing their prescriptions don't have a problem getting them, my doctor is well aware of my condition and my insurance company is well aware of my condition. And today I picked up my medicine because I called the pharmacy and spoke with a different pharmacist and they apologized and told me they were sorry for any inconvenience and that will never happen again!! Like I said before thank you and have a good day Dana!!

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18

First of all you don't know me so don't ever talk about me like that please, I have never judged anyone and I never will!! I am not a bad person and I'm not doing anything illegal, and I'm not trying to be a hassle to anyone! I know people have drug problems but I am not abusing them!! everyone has their own problems but that's just the way of life!! I honestly have severe pain, this is the first year I didn't sign up for a men's basketball league that I have been playing on for the past six years! I volunteered to coach my son's youth football Team last year and that was a nightmare due to the pain!! and this year I'm still going to try to coach his 7th grade team. i've never been in any trouble in my whole life!!! Ever!! and the only time I've ever tried to get early refills is to leave the country!! And when I leave the country I am gone for over a month usually, that's at minimum!, For work!! I have never Dr. shopped a day in my life, I've only had one doctor my whole life!! And one pharmacy my whole life!! It's not like I do this every single month!! And the only reason I posted to the site is because I'm just interested on how this works and I'm tired of getting the run around!! I'm not going to go on disability and I can hardly function without my medicine it would just be very uncomfortable!! I wake up every single night in agonizing pain and it feels like my wrists and my forearms are on fire and somebody is twisting them as hard as they can and just mangling them to no end!! And up intill four months ago was the only time I've ever tried to get early refills!! Because the pain is getting much worse!! Trust me I don't spend $1000 for two Cortizone shots every couple months just to remain on my Norco 500s!! It's not people like me that make it hard to get early refills, I'm sorry that I have a job That allows me to tour the world!! I am just in a really weird situation and this carpal tunnel could not have come at a worse time!!! To be honest I can't stand the system and I'm honestly thinking about just backing out of it completely!! It's not worth the hassle or the stress at all, and pain or no pain I'm really getting tired of a medicine controlling my life!! Even though it doesn't even help Hardly at all!! I am scheduled for surgery on both wrists towards the end of this year and The plan is to be 75% 100% cured hopefully!! And then I won't even need the meds!! I'm sorry we had to meet each other on this site and waste each others time!! And it could also be people like you that are quick to judge and just label a book by its cover, and not take the time to be sympathetic or actually look at the facts and details about another humans life!! I'm not trying to offend you or upset you in anyway! I don't even know why I felt to plead my case to you!? I just felt like venting I guess!? I'm sorry and have a good day, danna!!

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17

BL, Do not come to Oregon, WA STATE, CA!! You are not even close to being right. You must have a drug panel if it is going to be on a regular basis, and the pharmacy HAS to report it to a state registry, to make sure a doc is not giving out too much. Secondly to make sure the patient is not getting several prescriptions. In Oregon, the hospitals check the registry even if your getting just 1 shot for pain that is making your blood pressure too high. BL please be careful in giving a blanket statement without knowing 4 sure. If you think I am wrong checkout Oregon!!

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