I have psoriasis and I started seeing a new derm a little while ago because my old one was very booked up. I’ve been prescribed betamethasone for years for psoriasis, but they’re now requiring me to get a checkup before they’ll add more refills. No doctor’s offices have ever made me come back to get prescription refills for chronic illnesses and it seems slightly scummy since it’s something that won’t go away. Is this a common practice that my old derm neglected or are they just trying to get a co pay
EDIT: based on the responses I was being suspicious for no reason. I really appreciate the insight on the reasons why the check up is a good idea!
Comments
That’s pretty normal, yes. It won’t go away, but sometimes they change in subtle ways that can require reevaluating the prescription. A yearly checkup is a good idea regardless.
It’s up to the Doctor/the office. When I was taking medication for acne I needed to get monthly blood work and check ups.
But like, if you have a less severe medication clearly some doctors are ok with less frequent check ups.
It really has to do with how much risk the doctor is willing to accept. Because if they tell you “oh yea don’t worry about any checks up I’ll see you in a year.” And then you end up in the ER with liver failure because of the medication, your doctor could get sued.
Depends on the drug, but yes. it’s not uncommon to be evaluated before they refill something. Especially if there was an update in policy or provider. Sometimes the insurance companies will request updated documentation, etc. Could be scummy and a way to boost visits/pump insurance. Could also be completely legit.
Yup . Said visit May be able to be made via video, vs going in per. But, yes, they typically require a ‘checkin’ of sorts yearly.
That’s normal. I have Ulcerative Colitis. My medication may require various adjustments as time goes on and advancements happen. These visits allow my doctor and I to make those adjustments.
Very normal. Three things come to mind on what they could want to determine: 1) your chronic illness could change over time 2) your body’s reaction to your current meds could change over time and 3) new medications/treatments could be available
I have a couple chronic diseases, and I have to go in for med checks.
Yes. I hate it too but I have to go every 6 months and have liver/kidney lab work done because of BP and cholesterol medicine I am on which I have been taking regularly for many years. It is what it is.
Every 3 months for Adderall. I pay 400 bucks out of pocket for a 5 minute appointment that consists of
“Still have ADHD?”
“Yup”
“Alright, pay at the window see you in 3 months”
Yes. Both my husband and I take prescription medications for chronic conditions. Our doctors won’t refill our prescriptions if we haven’t been seen in the office in over a certain number of months.
It would be negligent for them to keep prescribing medications they don’t know if the patient still needs, or maybe needs in a different dosage.
I know not all doctors do this but when it’s just for a refill my doctor in Canada asked me to have a phone appointment instead of one in person.
Yes, every 6 months to one year is normal even for things you’ve had for years.
Yes, it’s better to know if something has changed, in most cases everything will remain the same but you want them to adjust the treatment if necessary and checkups is how they know
If it is just a yearly or 6 month thing then it is probably normal. If it concerns you, ask the doctor themself why this is required. My doctors are always willing to explain their reasons for what they do and you have the right to ask questions. the better informed you are, the better decisions you both make.
Not only normal it’s required
Yes.
And, it’s a good idea. To check on the status of your ailment
Time between visits can vary.
This is normal, yes. At most places you have to be seen every 6 months, but some are 12.
ETA: We do not prescribe to patients who are out of compliance. You MUST be seen. That’s negligence if you’re not seen by someone prescribing your medications.
Yes. I have psoriasis as well. It worked out to where I was forced to make an appt at least once a year to keep my Otezla prescription
I worked in a pharmacy, and this is normal. We had MDs refuse to refill prescriptions because the patient had not been in to see the physician. If they prescribe for 12 months, they expect to see you again in a year before they will write a new prescription.
It’s pretty normal. A lot of medicines can interact with one another or present side effects in ways that might not be readily obvious to a layman.
The medication might also need to be tweaked from time to time based on the progression of your illness.