A mail-order pharmacy is a convenient way to get your prescription medications. They work through your health insurance provider to send medication directly to your home. This is a great option for individuals who don’t want to take the time to go to the store or have difficulty leaving the house.
In addition to convenience, mail-order pharmacies can save you money if your insurance plan covers them. They are able to purchase drugs in bulk, which allows them to offer a better price for patients. Millions of Aetna pharmacy benefit members use Aetna Pharmacy mail-order service to get their maintenance medications – those prescribed for chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The service gives them a greater supply than they would receive at a retail pharmacy and allows them to save money on their copays by not having to pay out-of-pocket costs for three smaller fills.
You can order by mail, online, or by phone. You’ll need a copy of your prescription from your doctor and the mailing address for the prescriptions you want to have sent to you. You can also use the mail-order service to refill your existing prescriptions. You may also want to ask your doctor for a generic drug which contains the same active ingredients in the same amount as a brand-name drug. Generic drugs cost less than brand-name medications and meet the same quality standards the FDA sets. If your doctor writes a prescription for a generic drug, it will be filled by CVS Caremark’s mail-order pharmacy. MHBP provides this service at no charge to you as part of your benefits plan.
How Do You Start Mail-order Prescriptions?
Aetna Mail-order pharmacy offers a number of benefits. For one, they allow you to order eligible prescriptions and refills online or over the phone. This can save you time and money in the long run. However, you should always check prices at your local pharmacy before ordering through a mail-order pharmacy.
Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get up to three months of some drugs for just a few dollars (plus shipping). This can help you save significantly over the course of the year. In addition, many mail-order pharmacies offer discounts on generic drugs, which are manufactured by the same companies as brand-name medications.
There are a few drawbacks to using a mail-order pharmacy. For example, it can take longer to receive a prescription than if you visit a retail pharmacy. It is also possible that your medication could be lost or stolen in transit. If this happens, you must file a claim with your insurance company.
Is Aetna Pharmacy the Same As CVS Caremark?
Aetna Pharmacy is part of CVS Health, the nation’s premier health innovation company. Together, they are committed to helping people on their journey to better health by making care more accessible and affordable. They are focused on three key areas: local and accessible, simple and seamless.
Aetna Rx Home Delivery (formerly CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy) is the in-house prescription drug benefit for Aetna members. It fills prescriptions for maintenance drugs that treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It offers convenience, greater supplies, and lower costs. Members can get up to a 90-day supply if allowed by their doctor, saving time and money, and the medications are delivered directly to their homes or workplace. In addition, CVS Caremark can often save members money by providing a generic equivalent to brand-name prescriptions. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to meet the same quality standards as brand-name drugs.
To find out how much you can save, log on to your Aetna Navigator member website and click the “Estimate Drug Costs” link. To use the mail-order service, you must have a valid prescription from your doctor and complete the order form. Orders are shipped Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You can also ask your doctor to fax the prescription to CVS Caremark.
AETNA In-house Specialty Pharmacy
Aetna also has an in-house specialty pharmacy that can fill complex specialty medicine. This is important because these medications are unavailable at all retail pharmacies and may need special storage, handling, or coordination with a doctor’s office. Lastly, Aetna has an in-house nurse and pharmacist support service that can answer questions about medicines and coordinate with doctors’ offices. This can be helpful for patients with chronic conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Using these services can help reduce medication mistakes and improve compliance with doctors’ orders.