State Orders Early Rx Refills Because of Coronavirus

Thursday, March 12, 2020 | 0

Florida insurers, health maintenance organizations and pharmacy benefits managers must now allow patients to obtain early refills of most medications in case they're shut in because of the coronavirus spreading in the state, officials announced.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday declared a state of emergency because of COVID-19, which has infected at least 21 people in the state. In keeping with the order, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued its own directive, requiring that prescription refills for all drugs — except opioids and other controlled substances — be approved.

The order means insurers should waive time restrictions and should refrain from sending “refill too soon” notices to pharmacies when a patient seeks to refill a prescription in advance, the OIR notice said. Payers may also authorize payment for more than a 30-day supply of any prescription medication, regardless of the date upon which the prescription had most recently been filled, the order reads.

The governor's emergency order also allows pharmacists, if they are unable to reach the patient's doctor, to refill most medications one time with a 30-day supply.

Similar measures have been taken in Florida during hurricanes, allowing patients, including injured workers, to stock up on medications before evacuating or being shut in by storm damage, officials said. 

Elderly people and others considered susceptible to the coronavirus have been urged to minimize contact with others to avoid spreading the disease.