Community Forums

garmp · 02-26-2013, 08:21 AM

We are planning our first extended trip to Florida and I am trying to find locations of VA Pharmacies. I plan on takings meds with me, but in the event we stay longer than planned or something comes up, I would like to know I can get my medication. Where can I find such a list? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

garmp

PyrateSilly · 02-26-2013, 11:10 AM

The VA mails meds out. There is no real pharmacy to go to.

jdoc · 02-26-2013, 12:13 PM

I get my meds from the pharmacy at the hospital where I live. Hospitals have a pharmacy. Clinics usually have a contract with a local pharmacy. If you know where you are going to be when you need you need refills let the pharmacy where you currently get your meds from know and I'm sure they would be more than happy to mail them to you. Just give the address where you are going to be. If you move to another location be sure and tell them so they can make the change. We were on a trip a while and when we got to where we going we noticed we had forgot to put my insulin the MH. We called the pharmacy where I get my meds and gave them address where we were at and they over nighted the insulin to us.

Jerry

jdoc · 02-26-2013, 12:20 PM

garmp, actually the best thing for you to do is go to where you get your meds now and tell them what your plans are. They should be able to tell you everything you need to know.

Jerry

Wayne M · 02-26-2013, 01:48 PM

What do you consider an extended vacation?

We leave and don't expect to return for 4-6 months. I count all my medicines, prepare a spreadsheet list with dates of when I expect to run out, call the VA and make an appointment to talk with a pharmacy counselor, show up, present my case and they mail my meds prior to my departure to hold me through the "maintenance cycle."

PyrateSilly · 02-27-2013, 08:17 AM

I go on My Healthe Vet and reorder any meds that I or Thom needs. If any need to be refilled I send a secured note thru there and it's refilled. They only time I have to call is when I need to change the address that they will be sent to. Now that we decided to go with a mailing service I no longer need to do that as the mailing service will accept and sign for all and then forward them on. VA and our doc knows that we travel and they are ok with that set up. I can email a question or message to the doc thru the secured email on My Healthe Vet and get an answer with alot less hassle than trying to call and be on hold for a very long time and still have to leave a message and have the message garbled cause the one taking it wrote it down wrong. I strongly suggest any veteran not registered on My Healthe Vet to get registered and watch the hr long video about internet safety to get the secured email option. https://www.myhealth.va.gov/index.html is the site to start the process.

VA would rather mail them out as it actually costs the government less money to do the mail order route. Much cheaper and they do a 3 month supply of all but one of mine.

Wayne M · 02-27-2013, 08:41 AM

I am also on My Health VA.

Don't wait to re-order meds. As soon as you meds arrive, go on My Health VA and re-order. If you wait until you just start to run out you may be out of meds for a few days. You can re-order as soon as you receive your present supply. They will be mailed out in time and before you run out.

rpk · 02-28-2013, 05:44 AM

There is a large VA Clinic next to the Naval Hospital near NAS Pensacola. I have gotten scripts at both the Clinic and the Hospital for emergent stuff, but get most everything maintenance from Express Scripts. They are very good about changing addresses.

Rburke8 · 02-28-2013, 06:12 PM

Please know that if you order your meds thru e-healthy vet online you can contact your home va pharmacy and temporary change your address and have the meds sent to you.

Shellback1 · 02-28-2013, 06:20 PM

If you need meds call this direct # to the VA, they will help.

866-400-1241

I just called to get my BP pills sent early. Their 90 day supply was short about 3 weeks.