Here’s How to Get an Epipen Refill Without Seeing a Doctor in Person
Key takeaways:
Getting an EpiPen or other auto-injector refill is easy with telehealth.
You must have a pre-existing prescription for an EpiPen or auto-injector before pursuing an online refill.
GoodRx Care offers an affordable and convenient way to get your EpiPen or auto-injector refill.
Telehealth has made healthcare easy to access in more ways than one. Not only are doctors available to meet with you online, but they can also quickly refill your prescriptions including refills for EpiPen and other epinephrine auto-injectors for people with anaphylaxis.
Below, we’ll go over how to get an EpiPen refill through telehealth.
What is anaphylaxis, and how does EpiPen help?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that, if left untreated, can result in death. Symptoms include a weak and rapid pulse, skin rash, narrowed airways, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. At least 1 in 50 Americans struggle with severe allergies to latex, certain foods, insect bites, and medications.
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If you’ve experienced anaphylaxis, you know how critical it is to have an Epipen or another auto-injector on standby. Other auto-injector prescriptions include Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, and Symjepi. The medicine in auto-injectors is called epinephrine. Epinephrine acts quickly to stop severe symptoms from getting worse and can relieve all symptoms. Medical professionals say it’s the first line of defense for anaphylaxis.
What do I need to do to get an EpiPen refill through telehealth?
To get an EpiPen refill, you must have a prescription from a healthcare provider like your primary care physician. Your previous prescription will show your online doctor that you’re eligible for a refill.
Some telehealth providers may want you to schedule a new consultation with an online doctor for an EpiPen refill. Other providers may get a clinical worker to set you up for a refill without seeing an online doctor. Regardless, depending on the telehealth service you use, you will likely need to do the following:
Set up an account if you’re using the telehealth service for the first time.
Have your insurance information handy.
Fill out a health questionnaire.
Have the name and phone number for your preferred pharmacy available.
Have a copy of your previous prescription.
GoodRx’s telehealth platform GoodRx Care offers a $19 service for refills of epinephrine auto-injectors including Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, and Symjepi. Simply follow these steps:
Answer health questions that take about 5 minutes to schedule an online visit. Start the health survey here.
Talk to a certified GoodRx Care provider.
Get a refill sent to your preferred pharmacy if your online provider recommends it.
Will insurance cover EpiPen refills obtained through telehealth?
Most insurance plans cover telehealth prescriptions but it’s best to check with your insurance provider first. You’ll also want to check if the telehealth provider accepts your insurance. Some telehealth services will process your payments through your health plan. Others will only accept payment directly from you and it’s up to you to get reimbursed.
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There’s also a possibility that your health plan, like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield, offers their own telehealth services, so you may want to ask your insurance company about their preferred telehealth providers.
How long does it take to get an EpiPen refill through telehealth?
Most telehealth services are open 24/7 and are available to refill prescriptions around the clock. What’s more, most prescriptions and refills are sent electronically from provider to pharmacy. In other words, your refill can be sent to your pharmacy almost immediately after your virtual visit.
How can I save on EpiPen refills?
With the average price of EpiPen running around $400 for two auto-injectors, any discount will help. Here are a few ways to save on your refills.
Use GoodRx. A GoodRx discount can bring your cost down from $400 to $121. You can also compare prices at pharmacies near you like CVS and Walgreens. What's more, anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a box of Auvi-Q at an exclusive cash price of $289.
Look for manufacturer discounts. Makers of Auvi-Q, EpiPen, Symjepi, and Adrenaclick’s generic auto-injectors offer coupons or savings cards on their websites.
Try a membership warehouse store. Drug prices at stores like Costco and Sam’s Club may beat other pharmacy prices.
Ask about price matching. Your pharmacy may match a competitor’s price for your prescription.
The bottom line
When it comes to life-saving medication, you don’t want to take any chances. A telehealth refill ensures you will never be without an epinephrine auto-injector should you need it in an emergency.
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