Tips for Managing Your Medications
At HarborCHC we know refilling prescription medications can be confusing. Here are some helpful tips for you.
Always bring your medication list, photos of your pill bottles, or the bottles themselves to each doctor visit, even if the medication was prescribed by another doctor. This helps us keep your records accurate.
How to Read Your Prescription Label for Refills
- Look at your prescription bottle label for the number of refills left. Look for the word REFILL or REF followed by a number and sometimes a date.
- If you have refills, call your pharmacy directly for your next supply. This saves you a call to HarborCHC.
- If there are no refills left, make sure you ask your Primary Care Provider for refills during your next appointment. It may be helpful for you to make yourself a list of the medications.
- If your next appointment is months away and you need refills, call HarborCHC to let us know you need a refill. Refills will be approved if appropriate.
Here are some examples of prescriptions labels from CVS and Seaside Pharmacy in San Pedro.
Important:Prescriptions usually expire 1 year from the date they are written. Controlled substances have stricter limits:
- Schedule II:No refills allowed; a new prescription is required each time. Must be filled within 6 months.
- Schedule III–V:May be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months if there are refills on the prescription (whichever comes first).
If Your Pharmacy Says a New Prescription is Needed:
- Double check that the pharmacy is processing the correct prescription.
- Sometimes insurance will deny coverage if:
- The medication is being requested too soon (you tried to refill early).
- The medication requires a prior authorization.
Too soon to fill: Your insurance will not pay because you are asking for a refill too early. Ask your pharmacy when your next refill is due. If you are out and cannot wait, call your clinic to ask your doctor about authorizing an early refill.
Prior authorization: Your insurance requires your clinic to submit paperwork to prove you need the medication. Approval depends on your diagnosis, past treatments, and insurance rules. You can call your insurance to check the status once the request is sent.
Request a 90-Day Supply
- California law allows most maintenance medications to be filled for up to 90 days, if your doctor has prescribed enough refills.
Exceptions: Controlled substances and medications requiring closer monitoring.
Transferring Prescriptions to a New Pharmacy
- Provide the new pharmacy with your current prescription information and your old pharmacy’s name.
- The new pharmacy will contact your old pharmacy to complete the transfer (usually 1–2 business days).
- Controlled substance:
- Schedule II prescriptions cannot be transferred. Call your HarborCHC provider.
- Schedule III–V prescriptions can only be transferred once, unless within the same pharmacy chain.
When to Contact your Doctor
- If your prescription has no refills left or has expired.
- If it’s been a long time since your last visit, your doctor may ask you to come in before writing a new prescription.
Always bring your medication list, photos of your pill bottles, or the bottles themselves to each doctor visit, even if the medication was prescribed by another doctor. This helps us keep your records accurate.
Tip:Specialists’ prescriptions may not appear in our clinic records, so bring updates of any new medications with you to your appointment.
Quick Tips to Save Time
- Request refills from your pharmacy 1 week before you run out.
- Ask your doctor for refills at your appointments.
- Make a list of the medications you will need soon and give it to your provider or medical assistant.
- Call your pharmacy first—they often can resolve refill issues faster than the clinic.
- Always bring your medication list, photos of your pill bottles, or the bottles themselves to each doctor visit, even if the medication was prescribed by another doctor. This helps us keep your records accurate.
Remember:Understanding how refills work helps avoid delays and keeps your treatment on track.