Tips for taking your medications as directed

How to manage medications and get organized

This may seem simple, but it can be easier said than done. There are reasons why some people can’t always follow their doctor’s orders. For instance, some medicine may be too expensive or some people may have experienced uncomfortable side effects that keep them from staying on track. Not to mention, life is busy!

Taking your medicine as directed is important for staying healthy. Here are helpful tips to keep your medicine filled and refilled on schedule, plus reminders on why this is important.

Daily habits and routine

Wake up, brush your teeth, wash your face and take your medicine. Taking your medicine as part of your regular routine will help create a healthy habit that keeps you on track.

Pill dispensers

Use a pill dispenser to easily locate and plan which pills to take on what day and what time.

Refills

Keep a calendar of upcoming prescription refill dates so you can get an early start on refills. You can also order many medications in 90-day supplies from CenterWell Pharmacy™, a mail-delivery pharmacy.

You’ll have more of your medications on hand and CenterWell Pharmacy will send refill reminders before you run out.

Set reminders

Set your phone to alert you when it’s time to take your medicine.
Post notes around your home in areas you use most, like in the bathroom or on your nightstand.
Set visual cues around your home, like placing a pill bottle on a table by a chair you use regularly.
Ask about refill reminders from your pharmacist.
Answer refill reminder calls and text messages from Humana-approved vendors (CenterWell Clinical Programs, Cotiviti, MedWatchers, Transaction Data Systems (TDS)). You may be able to submit your refill request directly to your pharmacy from the call.

Use one pharmacy

Fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. That way your pharmacist will know what you’re taking and if anything may cause interactions or side effects. Your pharmacist can also do what’s called “medication synchronization.” He or she can coordinate your refills so you can pick them all up on the same day.

Go digital

Use digital tools from the web or mobile apps to keep track of all of your medications.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist

Whether you take medicine daily for a chronic condition or your doctor has prescribed a short-term prescription for an illness, medicine works best when it’s taken the right way. Taking too much, missing a dose or stopping your medicine because you’re feeling better may cause problems with how the medicine works.

If you’re unsure when to stop taking your medication, you’re having problems with side effects, you can’t afford the medication prescribed or you have any other issues, talk to your pharmacist or doctor right away.

You may also receive a call from a pharmacist employed by a trusted Humana vendor. The pharmacist will be able to talk to you about any questions, problems, or other issues you may have with your medications. These Humana-approved vendors are:

CSSHeath, a Clarest Company
CenterWell Clinical Programs

Ways to save

Medications can be expensive. You may be able to reduce your costs with these options:

Consider generics.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about switching to a generic version of a brand-name prescription. Generics have the same active ingredients and typically cost less.
Consider mail-delivery pharmacies.
Depending on your plan, mail-delivery pharmacies can provide plenty of benefits, such as low copays. And mail-delivery pharmacies can provide a 90-day supply of many medicines. As an added bonus, mail delivery eliminates trips to the pharmacy.

Have a prescription to refill?

Order your prescriptions from CenterWell Pharmacy and you’ll receive your medications at home with free standard shipping! Get started with CenterWell Pharmacy.

Go to CenterWell Pharmacy