As one of the largest pharmacies in the United States, Walgreens is a go-to destination for millions of Americans who need to fill prescriptions. In fact, Walgreens fills over 900 million prescriptions annually across its nearly 9,000 locations.[^1] For many patients, being able to get prescriptions filled quickly and conveniently is crucial for maintaining their health and well-being.
But what happens if you need to refill a prescription before your next scheduled refill date? Can Walgreens accommodate early refills? As a consumer, understanding Walgreens‘ policies is key to ensuring you can get your medication when you need it. Here, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about Walgreens‘ early refill policies, from the standard rules to special circumstances and exceptions.
Walgreens‘ Standard Early Refill Policy
In most cases, Walgreens allows customers to refill prescriptions for non-controlled medications up to 3 days before the next scheduled refill date. According to Christopher Cella, a Walgreens pharmacist in New York City, this policy applies to most ongoing maintenance prescriptions.
"For a typical 30-day supply, we can usually refill it on day 27 or 28," says Cella. "For a 90-day supply, we allow refills up to 5 days early."
However, it‘s important to note that this 3-day early refill allowance may vary based on your specific prescription insurance plan. Some plans may only allow refills 1-2 days early, while others may be more lenient. It‘s always best to check your insurance plan details or ask your pharmacist to look into your coverage.
There are a few key reasons why pharmacies like Walgreens limit early refills:
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To prevent stockpiling or misuse of medication. Refilling too early or too often could allow people to accumulate more medication than they need for proper therapeutic use.
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To ensure patients don‘t run out of medication before their doctor intends. Doctors prescribe a specific days‘ supply with the expectation that it will last until the next scheduled refill.
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To comply with insurance policies. Most insurance plans have limits on how early a prescription can be refilled to control costs and potential misuse. Refilling outside of the allowed timeframe could result in a claim rejection.
Cella notes that early refill limits are designed to strike a balance between patient access and safety. "We want to make sure patients have the medication they need, but we also have to follow guidelines to ensure they‘re using it appropriately and not running out too soon."
Refill Timing for Controlled Substances
Prescriptions for controlled substances, such as opioids, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines, have much stricter refill regulations. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies controlled substances into five schedules based on their medical use and potential for abuse and dependence.[^2]
For Schedule III and IV controlled substances, Walgreens cannot refill prescriptions early without authorization from the prescriber. This means even if you are just a day or two away from your refill date, the pharmacist cannot release the medication to you early without speaking to your doctor first.
Schedule II drugs, which include commonly misused opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, cannot be refilled at all. For these prescriptions, a new prescription from your doctor is required for each fill.
"Controlled substance refills are highly regulated due to the potential for abuse," explains Olivia Kim, a Walgreens pharmacist in Houston. "Even if I may want to help a patient out with an early refill, legally my hands are tied. The prescriber has to authorize it."
If you do need an early refill on a controlled substance due to travel or other extenuating circumstances, it‘s best to contact your prescriber as early as possible to discuss your situation. They may be able to provide a new prescription with an earlier fill date or a supplemental supply to bridge the gap.
Early Refill Fees and Penalties
In most cases, filling a prescription 1-3 days early will not result in any additional fees or copays for the patient. As long as your insurance allows the early refill, your standard copay should apply.
However, if you attempt to refill a prescription more than 3 days early, your insurance will likely reject the claim. At that point, if you still wish to fill the prescription, you would have to pay the full cash price out of pocket. Depending on the medication, this could be hundreds of dollars.
Additionally, consistently attempting to fill prescriptions excessively early could flag you in your insurance plan‘s system and lead to further restrictions or even loss of coverage. Pharmacies are required to report suspicious refill activity to insurers and prescribers.
"We had a patient who kept coming in 10, 15 days early for their opioid prescription," recalls Cella. "After a few months of this, their insurance cut them off completely and we could no longer fill for them. It‘s not worth risking your coverage for the sake of stockpiling pills."
Special Circumstances and Exceptions
While the standard 3-day early refill policy applies in most cases, there are some special circumstances in which Walgreens may allow for earlier refills. The most common include:
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Vacation or travel. If you‘ll be out of town when your prescription is due for a refill, Walgreens can work with you to get your medication filled early. You‘ll just need to provide some documentation of your travel plans, such as a plane ticket or hotel reservation.
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Emergency preparedness. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters or severe weather, Walgreens may allow you to fill prescriptions early to ensure you have an adequate supply on hand in case of emergency. This is often done on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific situation and medication.
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Dosage changes. If your doctor increases your dose of a medication in between refills, the pharmacy can fill your new prescription early to ensure you have the right amount of medication on hand. You‘ll just need a new prescription called in from your doctor specifying the new dose.
Other extenuating circumstances, such as a lost or stolen prescription, are handled on a case-by-case basis. Generally, for a lost or stolen controlled substance prescription, you will need to provide a police report for your insurance to authorize an early refill.
"We understand that life happens and there are valid reasons why a patient may need their medication early," says Kim. "We just ask that people communicate with us as early as possible so we can work with their doctor and insurance to find a solution."
Impact on Medication Adherence
Medication adherence, or taking your prescription exactly as directed by your doctor, is crucial for managing chronic conditions and preventing complications. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 prescriptions in the US are never filled, and among those filled, approximately 50% are not taken as prescribed.[^3]
Walgreens‘ early refill policy can actually help support better medication adherence by giving patients a few extra days of leeway in case they miss a dose or two. It also allows for more flexibility in the event of minor disruptions to your refill schedule.
"We know life can get in the way of the best laid medication schedules," says Cella. "By allowing that 3 day buffer, we can help ensure patients don‘t completely run out if they hit a snag with their refill for some reason."
However, both Cella and Kim emphasize that this flexibility is not an excuse to repeatedly fill early or take more medication than prescribed. Walgreens‘ adherence programs, like their 90DayMyWay automatic refill program, are designed to keep patients on a consistent schedule while accommodating the occasional need for an early fill.
"The goal is always to get patients into a regular refill routine," explains Kim. "But we recognize that perfection isn‘t always possible. A day or two flexibility can make the difference between staying adherent versus giving up when you hit a snag."
Saving on Prescriptions at Walgreens
For many patients, navigating insurance restrictions and high copays can make getting prescriptions filled early difficult, even when the situation requires it. However, there are several ways to save on your prescriptions at Walgreens that can help remove barriers to adhering to your medication schedule.
One popular option is to sign up for Walgreens‘ Prescription Savings Club. For an annual fee of $20 for an individual or $35 for a family, members receive discounts on over 8,000 medications. While you can‘t combine these savings with insurance, the discounts can often make paying cash for an early refill more affordable.
Another savings option to consider is switching to 90 day fills versus 30 day fills. Many insurance plans incentivize 90 day fills with lower overall copays. And when you have a 3-month supply on hand, running a few days early on a refill becomes less of an issue.
Kim also recommends asking your Walgreens pharmacist about manufacturer coupons or assistance programs for branded drugs. "A lot of the brand name maintenance meds have savings cards that can minimize copays. Definitely ask, especially if you have a high copay or deductible plan."
How to Request an Early Refill at Walgreens
If you do find yourself in need of an early refill, initiating the request with your Walgreens pharmacist is simple. You can either request it in person at your local store, or reach out through the Walgreens website or mobile app.
When requesting an early refill, be prepared to explain your situation and provide any supporting documentation you may have, such as proof of travel plans or communication from your doctor about a dosage change.
Your pharmacist can then check with your insurance provider and prescriber as needed to get authorization for dispensing your medication early. If you are able to get the okay for an early fill, be sure to pick it up promptly to avoid any further disruptions to your medication schedule.
If for some reason Walgreens cannot accommodate your early refill request, your pharmacist can discuss alternative solutions, such as an emergency 2-3 day supply to tide you over or transferring to another pharmacy that may be able to bend the rules.
Final Thoughts
While Walgreens‘ 3-day early refill policy for non-controlled substances does offer some wiggle room for patients, the reality is that filling prescriptions early is not always simple or guaranteed. A 2018 survey by Consumer Reports found that nearly one-third of patients who requested an early refill were denied by their pharmacy.[^4]
However, by understanding your insurance plan, maintaining open communication with your pharmacist and prescriber, and planning ahead for potential disruptions, you can work within Walgreens‘ policies to ensure you always have your medication when you need it. Consistency remains key for medication adherence. But when life throws you the occasional curveball, it‘s reassuring to know your Walgreens pharmacist is in your corner to help you navigate early refills as smoothly as possible.
[^1]: Walgreens. Corporate Fact Sheet. https://news.walgreens.com/fact-sheets/frequently-requested-information.htm[^2]: DEA. Drug Scheduling. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
[^3]: CDC. Medication Adherence. https://www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety/adult_adversedrugevents.html
[^4]: Consumer Reports. The Surprising Trouble You Can Face Getting Your Prescriptions Filled. https://www.consumerreports.org/pharmacies/surprising-trouble-getting-prescriptions-filled-a2074072687/
