Planning deliveries to quarrantined at-risk people
March 15, 2020 7:49 PM Subscribe
Friend of mine is on board of her church (they have cancelled services). With the stores being mobbed right now, she wants to shop and deliver groceries and prescriptions to elderly and health-compromised people in her church who need it. How best to plan the effort? She has a 14-year old daughter to help organizing.
My suggestions so far have included calling the closest pharmacy to find out what it would take for people to call in their prescriptions there (instead of my friend having to travel to several pharmacies), and writing down instructions. Also, maybe a sort of quiz: do they need x? if x isn't available, is y an ok substitute? That sort of stuff. It is at the idea stage right now, but the pastor things it is a good thing.
My suggestions so far have included calling the closest pharmacy to find out what it would take for people to call in their prescriptions there (instead of my friend having to travel to several pharmacies), and writing down instructions. Also, maybe a sort of quiz: do they need x? if x isn't available, is y an ok substitute? That sort of stuff. It is at the idea stage right now, but the pastor things it is a good thing.
Prescriptions are a huge business, with the emphasis on business. Many, many health plans require seniors use a particular chain for prescriptions. Most of these huge chains - CVS, Walgreen's, Rite Aid - do not offer delivery. At all. So your offer to collect prescriptions for your members is probably very helpful, but it is unlikely prescriptions, no matter how persuasive their doctor is, will be permitted to transfer to a more local pharmacy.
Many of these large pharmacy plans do allow for mail order, though, often at a modest discount. Typically these will allow a 90 day supply with a discount on part of the copay that would have been charged for monthly in-person monthly fills. Helping people in your church find out what their options are for prescription fills could be quite useful, especially if you are able to pick up and deliver them. Similarly you can help automate this by suggesting people use the mail option if they have it. Pharmacy benefit plans change yearly, at least, and during a calendar year if the policy is new, and each plan has its own required pharmacy. Frustrating in the best of times.
posted by citygirl at 4:33 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]
Many of these large pharmacy plans do allow for mail order, though, often at a modest discount. Typically these will allow a 90 day supply with a discount on part of the copay that would have been charged for monthly in-person monthly fills. Helping people in your church find out what their options are for prescription fills could be quite useful, especially if you are able to pick up and deliver them. Similarly you can help automate this by suggesting people use the mail option if they have it. Pharmacy benefit plans change yearly, at least, and during a calendar year if the policy is new, and each plan has its own required pharmacy. Frustrating in the best of times.
posted by citygirl at 4:33 AM on March 16, 2020 [3 favorites]
If your friend does end up picking up prescriptions at pharmacies, they'll likely be asked for the patient's date of birth and possibly their home address for verification purposes, FYI.
posted by cooker girl at 6:42 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by cooker girl at 6:42 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks citygirl and cookergirl. We are in Canada, so there seems to be more flexibility with prescriptions, but I will let folks know how it turns out.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 9:36 AM on March 19, 2020
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 9:36 AM on March 19, 2020
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I think it makes sense to call each person and ask what they need, and then compile a list to help guide your strategy. Cans of soup? Fresh fruit? Microwaveable meals? Toilet paper? Pet food? Distilled water for CPAP machines? After you determine patterns of need, with due consideration for dietary restrictions, you may be able to get good deals by bulk shopping and then distributing what you gather, while maintaining social distance and strict hygiene practices.
The CDC has published guidance for higher risk individuals, and the World Health Organization has published guidance about basic protective measures against the new coronavirus, and Harvard's Chan School of Public Health is publishing coronavirus news updates that seem worthwhile to review (via the MeFi Wiki Disaster Planning & Recovery page, Medical/Pandemic section).
It is also just so great to reach out to people by phone and check in. It may be that they already have some services from local organizations, but offering additional support from their community, especially in times like these, it just seems so important.
posted by katra at 10:45 PM on March 15, 2020 [1 favorite]