Laboratory & pharmacy FAQs

A specialty pharmacy fills prescriptions for complex and/or expensive medications. A specialty pharmacy also provides additional clinical and administrative services, which vary depending on the pharmacy you choose to dispense your medication. Typically, a specialty pharmacy’s additional services should help you to manage your medications more easily.

At Mission Health Specialty Pharmacy, we are here to eliminate the stress of managing your medications so you can focus on getting better. With Mission Health Specialty Pharmacy, you get a Pharmacy Liaison that’s dedicated to your care:

1. Your Liaison will provide you with his or her personal phone number and contact information where you will be able to reach your Liaison 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Your Liaison will help you with all of the insurance, prior authorization, and/or financial assistance issues that may arise with any of your prescriptions.
3. Your Liaison is present in the clinic and can help you coordinate with your doctor and broader care team. For example, he or she can help you get a new prescription from your physician when you run out of refills or help you set up appointments at the clinic.
4. Your Liaison will manage your prescriptions and fill and refill them on your behalf so that you get your medications quickly and on time. You can pick them up here at the clinic or have them delivered directly to you.

No, you will not have to pay more by choosing the Mission Health Specialty Pharmacy as your pharmacy. All of the services that we provide are free for all of our patients.

Your share of the cost of your medication, or copay, is determined by your insurance, not the pharmacy that you use. Please provide your insurance information to your Liaison, and he or she can tell you what your copay will be and help you with financial assistance, as needed.

Our pharmacy can fill most medications. To get you started, your Liaison will verify your current medications and let you know which, if any, we will be unable to fill for you. If you decide to fill all of your medications with the Mission Health Specialty Pharmacy, your Liaison will transfer any prescriptions you have with your current pharmacy, with your permission.

Yes, your Pharmacy Liaison will help you with all of your prior authorizations.

Absolutely! Our goal is to make sure that you can afford the best care available. If you feel that your co-pays would prevent you from filling a prescription, your Liaison would be happy to help you find ways to cover the cost or to work with your doctor to find alternative treatments or medications that are covered by your insurance.

Our priority is to get you all of your medications quickly so that you can get started on your therapy and continue to take your medications as prescribed.

The first time you fill a new prescription, the time it will take for you to receive your medication is often determined by insurance and financial assistance requirements. If your prescription requires no prior authorization, you will often be able to pick it up or choose to have it shipped to you from our pharmacy the same day. If your prescription needs prior authorization, your Liaison will work with your doctor to get you the prescription within 3-5 business days. If you require financial assistance, it may take up to 4 weeks, depending on the programs you are eligible for. Regardless, your Liaison will work with you to ensure you receive your medication as quickly as possible.

For medication refills, your Liaison will contact you 1-2 weeks before your refills are due and you will get your refill before you run out of your medication. If you are running out of refills on your current prescription, your Liaison will work with your doctor to obtain a new prescription for you in order to prevent an interruption in your therapy.

We cannot offer automatic refills. However, your Liaison will contact you 1-2 weeks before you need a refill so that your refill is delivered on time. Your Liaison will also answer any questions that you may have regarding your refills.

No, you do not have to come back to the hospital or clinic to pick up medications. We can deliver these to you at your home, via mail, or via courier.

Yes, we can have your medications mailed to you.

Yes, we can have our driver deliver it directly to you.

No, these services are free, and you will not be charged for them.

You will be able to get a vacation supply of your medication if your insurance allows you to do so. Ask your Liaison and they will find out your options.

You can contact your Liaison for any questions or issues related to your medications or pharmacy service. Our patients often call their Liaisons for refills, medication delivery confirmations, insurance questions, issues with medications (e.g., if you experience any adverse reactions to your medications), or for help with financial assistance. Your Liaison can also direct you to the right care team or person at Mission Health if you are unsure about who to contact regarding any other issue that you are currently facing.

Pharmacy working hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM and can be contacted at (828) 213-0598. The pharmacy liaison may be reached anytime day or night at (828) 490-9308

We are pleased to assist you with your medication-related needs. You can reach your Pharmacy Liaison in person in the Mission Cancer Center Pharmacy during regular working hours or call them on their dedicated cellphone number that you received during your last visit with your physician. Your Pharmacy Liaison will collect some information and have you sign some documents to help you get started with us!

It is important that you properly dispose the medications that are expired or that you are no longer taking. The FDA website has detailed instructions on how to handle different types of medications.