Pharmacy ~ Frequently Asked Questions?
1. How long does it take to fill a new prescription?
- It usually takes the pharmacy staff about 15 minutes to fill a new prescription. It may take more (or less) time depending on how busy the pharmacy is that day and whether the pharmacist must call your provider to ask about the prescription.
2. How long does it take to get a refill?
- We ask that you call in your refills the day before you need them. New prescriptions are filled first, refills second. Calling in advance increases the chances that your prescriptions will be ready when you arrive. Mondays and Fridays are the pharmacy’s busiest days. It will take longer for the pharmacy staff to fill your prescriptions on these days.
3. When does the pharmacy open?
- The pharmacy opens at 8am Monday through Friday. Four times a year the pharmacy (and clinic) staff attend in-service. On in-service days the pharmacy opens at 9am. Signs are posted around the clinic a week or more before clinic in-service days to notify the community of the delay.
4. When does the pharmacy close?
- The pharmacy officially closes at 4:30pm. There is usually a pharmacist in the pharmacy until 4:45pm to fill prescriptions for any patients still in the medical department.
- (Note: The exterior doors of the Clinic are locked at 4:45pm.)
5. Is the pharmacy open over the noon hour?
- The pharmacy is almost always open over the noon hour. If the pharmacy does close, it is rarely closed for more than 30 minutes.
6. How far in advance can I get my prescriptions refilled?
- If we bill an insurance plan for your medications, the time in advance is determined by your plan. Clinic policy is that we may fill your medications seven days before you will run out, with these exceptions. If your prescription is a controlled substance (Rx# begins with C), we can fill it no more than 3 days before you are due to run out.
- If your prescription label says “Must wait at least 30 days before refilling”, we cannot fill it early without your provider’s approval. If you will run out over a weekend or holiday, we can fill your prescription on the last possible day before the weekend or holiday.
7. What do I do if my prescription label says “no refills”?
- If your label says “no refills” the pharmacy will not be able to fill the medication without a new prescription from your doctor. Please allow extra time for the pharmacy to contact your provider. You may also call your provider directly to request the refill. If your doctor does not work at the Tribal Clinic, you must contact that doctor yourself to ask for refills.
8. Who can get prescriptions filled at MTC pharmacy?
- Any I.H.S. eligible (enrolled member, descendant of any Tribe) patient may have prescriptions filled at MTC pharmacy. Non-I.H.S. eligible patients may have prescriptions filled at MTC pharmacy as long as the prescription was written by one of the providers at the Menominee Tribal Clinic. The pharmacy changed its pricing structure in December of 2002. For non-I.H.S. eligible patients (especially those without prescription insurance), medications may be less expensive at other pharmacies.
9. What if the pharmacy does not stock the medication my provider wants me to take?
- If you are an I.H.S eligible patient, you may contact Contract Health Services about your prescription. If you do not have insurance or Medicaid, Contract Health may cover the cost of your prescription at another pharmacy. For a list of pharmacies that handle Contract Health claims, contact the CHS department at the Clinic.
10. Can someone else pick up my prescription for me?
- You can send someone to pick up your prescription. Whoever you send must be at least 16 years old, and must know your date of birth.
- When must have a photo I.D. to pick up certain medications, “Its the LAW”, please bring along a Photo ID if you feel that you may get any of these medications at the pharmacy.
11. When do I need to register for pharmacy?
- There are only two reasons to register for pharmacy:
- You are dropping off a prescription that was written by a doctor that does not work at the Tribal Clinic.
- You are picking up refill prescriptions.
- NOTE: When registering, register for the patient whose prescriptions you are picking up. For example: If you are picking up your mother’s prescription, register for your mother, not yourself.