mail order insulin

[spudrocks]

Hello

I have a question...

What experiences have people here had regarding mail order insulin? I ask because we were using my employer's mail order pharmacy, but two times out of four deliveries, the insulin packaged in such a way that the insulin was dead. One time the insulin had gotten too warm (packaged with polar packs that were not properly frozen), the other too cold (boxes of insulin sitting right on top of frozen polar packs without any insulation between). We are going through a local pharmacy now, but I am curious as to whether or not others have had similar experiences or if we were just unlucky.

Thanks

Spud

[Keezheekoni]

I guess it depends on who your mail order is and what their policies are. I will never order insulin from Medco (my insurance mail order house) because they ship out of Las Vegas and I've heard two horror stories now about it not being package properly. My old insurance company used their own pharmacy (Aetna Home Rx or something like that) and they did just fine, but I only used them once and then I figured out that our coverage didn't give me the one month free for two copays...so there was no benefit for me going mail order with them.

I like getting my insulin at my local pharmacy because if anything is wrong with it, I drive over there and they exchange it for me...no hassle!

[owlyn]

I can save 1/3 on all of my prescriptions if I do mail order. A few years ago, the savings was greater (2/3), and I tried it a few times. Sometimes the insulin was shipped properly (with Polar packs in a styrofoam box packed with air bags, other times, no cold stuff at all). You have to order well in advance (they don't ship automatically, which I don't understand, as they know you only have a 3 mobnth supply and you have refills). Anyway, I gave up. I go to my local (a mom and pop!!!) pharmacy and get great service and advice. Yes, it's much more expensive, but for now, it's worth it.

[Alice]

I've called Medco on only one package that arrived "too warm" and open on a corner. They sent replacement insulin asap.

I get all my other supplies mail order also. I get a huge amount for my co-pay...so can't argue. I hated it at first, but the savings really helped.

[JediSkipdogg]

I've done mail order for around 10 years and have never had a problem. I actually had more problems when I did walk up pharmacies than with mail orders. My insulin has always come packaged nicely in ice. Generally when I order my insulin I have it sent to my work where somewhere will always accept it. I'd hate for it to arrive on a 100 degree day and sit outside from say 9 am till I get home.