How to Ask for a 90-Day Supply of Medication to Cut Down Pharmacy Visits

Every month, you drive to the pharmacy. Again. And again. For the same pills. Same time. Same line. Same frustration. If you’re taking medication for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, or depression, you’re not alone. Millions of people do this every single month. But what if you could cut that down to just four times a year? That’s the power of a 90-day prescription supply.

Getting a 90-day supply isn’t magic. It’s a benefit built into most insurance plans - and it’s designed to help you stick with your meds. Studies show people who get three months of medication at once are 27% more likely to take it as prescribed. They also spend 30% less out of pocket. And yes, you save time. No more rushing to the pharmacy during lunch breaks or calling in the middle of a workday because you’re out.

What Medications Qualify for a 90-Day Supply?

Not every drug can be filled for 90 days. These programs only work for maintenance medications - drugs you take every day for long-term conditions. Think:

• High blood pressure (lisinopril, amlodipine)
• Diabetes (metformin, glimepiride)
• High cholesterol (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin)
• Thyroid medication (levothyroxine)
• Depression or anxiety (sertraline, escitalopram)

Drugs you take for a week or two - like antibiotics, painkillers after surgery, or steroids - don’t qualify. Neither do specialty drugs like injectables for rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, at least not at first. Most plans require you to fill a 30-day supply three times before switching to 90 days.

Check your plan’s list. CVS Caremark, Cigna, and Express Scripts all publish what’s eligible. If you’re unsure, call your insurer or check your member portal. Your doctor’s office can also tell you if your meds are on the list.

How to Get a 90-Day Prescription - Step by Step

It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here’s how to do it:

1. Call your doctor’s office. Say: “I’d like to switch my prescription for [medication name] to a 90-day supply. Is that possible?” Most doctors are happy to do this - it reduces missed doses and follow-up visits.
2. Ask for an electronic prescription. Your doctor can send it directly to your pharmacy. If you’re using mail order, they’ll send it to the PBM’s pharmacy (like CVS Caremark Mail Service or Express Scripts).
3. Choose your delivery method. You have two options: mail order or retail pharmacy.

Mail order is the easiest for most people. You sign up online through your insurer’s portal - like myCigna.com or Caremark.com. Then your meds are shipped to your door. Delivery usually takes 7-10 business days. You’ll get refill reminders by email or text. Some plans even include free shipping and safety checks for drug interactions.

Retail pharmacy works too - but only at certain stores. Cigna’s 90 Now program lets you get 90-day fills at select network pharmacies. Walmart offers 90-day generic prescriptions for $10. That’s a huge savings if you’re paying $40 or more for a 30-day supply elsewhere.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Let’s say you take metformin for diabetes. A 30-day supply costs $25 out of pocket. That’s $100 a month. Over a year? $1,200.

Now switch to a 90-day supply at Walmart: $10 for 90 days. That’s $3.33 per month. You save $96.67 per month. That’s over $1,160 a year - just by changing how you fill your prescription.

Even brand-name drugs get cheaper. Express Scripts charges $20 for a 90-day supply of a preferred brand. The same drug at 30-day intervals might cost $60 per month. That’s $180 a month down to $20. You’re not just saving money - you’re cutting your monthly medication bill by 89%.

Generic drugs are the biggest winners. Walmart, Kroger, and Target all offer $4 for 30-day and $10 for 90-day generics. If you take multiple generics, you could be saving hundreds a year.

What If Your Doctor Says No?

Sometimes, doctors don’t know about the program - or they’re used to writing 30-day scripts. If they hesitate, say this:

“I’ve read that getting a 90-day supply helps people take their meds more consistently. My insurance covers it, and I’d like to avoid running out. Can we try it?”

Most doctors will agree. If they still say no, ask if they can refer you to a pharmacist or check with your insurance. Many PBMs have tools that let pharmacists contact your doctor directly to request the change.

Some doctors worry about side effects or need to monitor you closely. That’s fine. You can still start with a 60-day supply as a middle ground. Then move to 90 days after your next checkup.

Where It Doesn’t Work - And Why

These programs are great - but they’re not universal.

• Some states block mail-order access. California, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Washington have laws that make it harder to use mail-order pharmacies. You might still get 90-day fills at retail, but not by mail.
• Medicare Advantage plans sometimes offer 100-day supplies. That’s even better. Aetna and UnitedHealthcare members on Advantage plans can often get 100-day fills for maintenance meds.
• Specialty drugs are restricted. If you’re on a biologic for rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, you’ll likely need to start with 30-day fills. After three refills, you may qualify for 90 days.
• Some drugs have odd limits. Oral contraceptives are often capped at 84 days (three packs), but that still counts as a 90-day supply under most plans.

Always check your plan’s guidelines. If you’re not sure, call the number on your insurance card. Ask: “Do I have access to 90-day supplies for my maintenance medications?”

How to Stay on Track

Once you switch, don’t forget to refill. Mail-order services usually send reminders - but you can’t rely on them alone.

• Set a calendar alert for 10 days before your supply runs out.
• Use your insurer’s app to refill with one tap.
• Keep a backup supply of 5-7 days in case your package is delayed.

Most people who switch never go back. One woman in Auckland told me she used to drive 20 minutes to the pharmacy every month. Now, her meds arrive on a Tuesday. She doesn’t think about it. She just takes them. And she hasn’t missed a dose in 18 months.

Final Tips

• Start with one medication. If it works, switch the rest.
• Use Walmart or Target for generics - they’re the cheapest.
• Never skip your doctor’s checkups. Your 90-day supply doesn’t replace monitoring.
• If you move, update your shipping address right away.
• Keep a list of all your meds and dosages. You’ll need it when switching pharmacies.

This isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about making your health easier. Fewer trips. Less stress. Lower costs. And most importantly - better results.