Anthem reminds Medicare members to ask for 90-day prescription fills

Anthem Inc. has issued a reminder to Medicare members with chronic conditions on Tuesday to ask their doctors about 90-day prescription fills to ensure patients don't have adverse health events.

According to Anthem, one out of every 10 cases of missed medication is caused by a patient being too late to get a pharmacy refill. Missed prescriptions cost about $100 billion annually because patients are forced into the hospital for acute episodes that could have been avoided.

Richard Frank, medical director of Medicare products with Anthem Inc., said that if patients get a 90-day supply of medication, members lessen their risk of running out at an inopportune time.

“Your doctor has prescribed a certain dose for you at a certain time for a good reason,” Frank said. “It is never a good idea to skip one. Getting a 90-day supply of medication is a great benefit, particularly to older adults who may live rurally or have difficulty with mobility, as well as for traveling Boomers who don’t want to delay or stop their trip to get medication.”

Anthem shared three steps for obtaining a 90-day supply of medication. First, ask your doctor to note a 90-day fill on the prescription; second, make sure that the medication is on your plan’s approved drug list; finally, take the prescription to an in-network pharmacy.

Most Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plans are eligible for a 90-day fill upon request.