What to Do When Your Prescription Is Denied and You Need it Urgently

Sometimes, even with prescription coverage, your medication may be denied at the pharmacy, which can be stressful if it's urgent. Here are a few options to help you navigate the situation:

  1. Pay out of pocket and get reimbursed: You can pay for your medication upfront with cash or credit. Later, submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

  2. Ask the pharmacy to rerun it: If the denial seems like an error, the pharmacy can rerun the prescription through the insurance system in a few days, when the insurance carrier has had time to readjust your account.

  3. Request a partial fill: If you're picking up a 30-day supply, many pharmacies will sell you a smaller quantity (such as 3-4 pills) to tide you over until your insurance issue is resolved.

  4. Check prices on GoodRX.com: In some cases, using GoodRX or other discount programs can offer prices lower than your insurance copay or coinsurance.