Had something happen that is almost downright comical -
1. Liberty Medical shipped out my insulin on December 20th. I usually get it in a day or two. When I didn't receive anything by the 22nd, I called our complex's management office (where packages are often dropped off if we're not home) and asked if there was a package there waiting for me. They said there was nothing there. I believe them because UPS is supposed to leave a note on our door letting us know something is waiting at the management office, and there had not been any note on our door.
2. When I still didn't get anything by yesterday (Dec 23rd) I called Liberty. They confirmed that the package had been delivered on December 21st!! I went over to the management office and asked them to look in the storage closed where all the delivered packages were kept. Sure enough, my insulin was right there. They keep a list of when packages are delivered and the guy there confirmed it had been delivered on December 21st at 1:23 PM.
3. I checked the room where the insulin had been stored and it was fairly warm back there. The ice packages had completely melted. So I really wasn't sure if I should trust the condition of my insulin. I called Liberty back and explained the situation and they agreed to back out my order and transfer my prescription to a local pharmacy.
4. I also called UPS and complained. Apparently, UPS has not been leaving notes on door because the delivery guy is (we suspect) too lazy to walk around the complex and post them to doors. So, he just dumps all the packages off at the management office instead. Ugh!!
I really like the convenience of mail order delivery of my insulin, except when it's not convenient. It also sickens me to know that three full vials of insulin are now going to waste because of a failure of both my apartment complex's management office and UPS.
I've had issues before with mail order insulin, but gave it another try because going to CVS can be such a hassle. But I think CVS might be less of a hassle than mail order.
I have yet to order my insulin through mail order. I am so afraid of wasted insulin because it arrives to warm, etc. It is the one medication I still use my local mom and pop pharmacy for, even if it would save me $25 every three months.
Do you have to order your insulin through Mail Order? Im getting ready to switch insurance companies and Im going to have to get all my testing supplies and pump supplies through Liberty now but I still have the option for using local pharmacies for my Rx needs. I would never order medications through a mail order service, if I didnt absolutely HAVE to. It's just asking for trouble I think. Takes me just 10-15 min to run into Target and pick my medications up. Beats dealing with UPS anyday.
The only things I get mail order are the supplies that I order directly from Animas. That includes infusion sets, reservoirs, and the occasional part; such as a pump clip. battery cap or reservoir cap. Where I live, the climate is rather unpredictable, so in the summer, insulin and strips could fry during delivery, and conversely, in the winter, it wouldn't take too much to freeze them. I find that buying locally is better for the community and I am out and about enough to get my prescriptions, including insulin and test strips, at my local pharmacy.
All of mail order items come with tracking numbers which allows me to track the order through UPS, USPS or FedEx. I know exactly when it was delivered and who signed for it. Maybe ask for the tracking number next time.
I get my insulin from Medco. It arrives cold with 2nd day shipping!! I complained the first time they delivered it via ground shipping, and ever since, it has been great,
We don't have a choice, if we want the insurance to pay for it then it must be 3 month supply by mail. If I had a choice I wouldn't do it. I would pay 25 extra every 3 months for sure. We have received 2 shipments where the insulin was warm! This past shipment was a nightmare, they messed up the order on their end and it took 3 weeks to get the insulin. We actually ran out before they shipped it but our endo gave us a sample.
IMO? Unless your Home or someone else is? I wouldn't use Mail Order if you don't have too. Only Plan B? have A Seperate Script On file at your Local Pharmacy to use when thinngs like this happen and see if you can get 1 mo extra supply .. or buy it and keep it In the Fridge..
I have had to use Mail order from the Get go, thru my VA..
I have to use Express Scripts and have so far had few problems with insulin delivery. But mail order isn't perfect for a perishable product, that's for sure.
Having had too many less important packages lost or delayed, I've never chanced mail order insulin. I order syringes on-line because they're much cheaper. Fortunately, my CVS is great & they've been really helpful. I like seeing my insulin come right out of their fridge. Had a couple of instances of dud vials. CVS replaced them with no questions asked & made sure they had a different lot number when I requested that. Glad I have the option of using a local pharmacy, which some people don't.
