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[Guest guest]

Re: days supply on any meds, here's how we did it;  If you could calculate the

days supply in numbers like amox 250mg #30 tid -you can actual do the math and

calculate how long it will last.  If inhalers have an actual " 200 metered

doses "   and the sig says qid then you can divide the 200 by 4 and come up with

an actual amount of days it will last.  On products where you can't do the math

such as oints, creams, some inhalers, or insulin per sliding scale (which I

think they don't use much anymore) we had some general rules: 

 

(These were the hospital I worked in.  I have seen some retailers come up with

thier own charts, so be sure to ask first)

 

Oints, creams - 1/3 of the qty

ear/eye drops - 1ml = 1 day ( since they are usually 5, 10 or 15 mls your days

supply is usuall 5, 10 or 15 UNLESS THE SIG SAYS HOW MANY DAYS)

insulin - 10 days per vial until you figured out how they used it, which will

vary*)

inhalers - 30 days

 

These were general rules used for the first dispensing.  Since it was Kaiser I'm

familiar with and we had copays (i.e., 1 copay per pkg size or days supply which

ever is more advantages to the patient.)

 

* This is where it gets really confusing; if a pt. picked up 1 bottle of insulin

(10ml) and had a $5 copay, we would enter a 10 day supply and charge them 5$ for

the first fill if they came back a week later and needed a refill we would be

able to dispense 4 vials (since 1 vial lasted a week they are entitled to 4wks

for their copay) for their $5.  If they came back 2 months (8wks) later and

needed a refill of their 4 vials we could fill the 4 vials but this time they

would be charged $10 dollars since, according to there last fill, it lasted 2

months.  This is really confusing and usually takes about 3 days, at least to

explain to students.  The worst part is you need to be able to explain it to the

patient in about 3 minutes when they have to pay double what they paid last time

for the same amount.  Is anyone following me?  Most won't, it is confusing. 

Again this was our policy, according to their contract.  And yes, sometimes pts

would take

advantage of this and stock up on meds.  But we can only go by our

documentation.  Everything else is just hear-say;)