How Long Will CVS Hold a Prescription in 2024?
With over 9,900 pharmacy locations across the United States, CVS fills an average of 6.4 million prescriptions per week – making them one of the largest pharmacy chains in the country.
As a CVS customer, you want to know: how long will they hold your prescription before you pick it up? CVS‘s hold policy helps them manage high prescription volumes and inventory effectively.
Here‘s a detailed guide to CVS‘s current prescription hold times and policies for 2024:
Why Do Pharmacies Have Hold Times?
Pharmacies have prescription hold policies to balance customer service with efficient inventory management. Key reasons for hold times include:
Avoiding waste: If prescriptions sit too long, medications may expire and have to be discarded. Hold times limit this waste.
Managing inventory: Hold times allow pharmacies to return unclaimed drugs to stock for other patients. This prevents shortages.
Verifying need: Patients may decide they don‘t need a prescription after it‘s filled. Short hold times confirm prescriptions are still required.
Workflow management: Hold policies prevent overflow of unclaimed prescriptions, which could slow pharmacy operations.
CVS‘s Standard Hold Times
CVSaims to give patients reasonable time to pick up prescriptions, while balancing responsible inventory management. Here are their standard hold times:
| Prescription Type | Hold Time |
|---|---|
| New prescriptions | 10 days |
| Refills | 7 days |
These apply for most medications across CVS‘s in-store and online pharmacies. However, some conditions can impact hold times:
Exceptions and Special Cases
While the standard hold times apply in most cases, there are some exceptions:
- Out-of-stock drugs: Can take weeks to restock, extending hold time
- Controlled substances: Have added restrictions like limits on early refills
- Insurance issues: Delays processing claims and filling prescription
- Extenuating circumstances: CVS may extend hold period if notified of issues preventing pickup
Talk to your pharmacist if you require additional flexibility due to travel, changed dosage, or other circumstances. They can advise you on any options specific to your situation.
Pickup Reminders and Prescription Status
Missign the pickup window means your prescription gets canceled and returned to stock. To avoid this, take advantage of CVS‘s prescription management tools:
Text/email reminders: Opt-in when you drop off your script to get reminders as your hold time expires.
Prescription Status tool: Check your prescription progress and status online 24/7.
Using these features, you can monitor your prescriptions and avoid forgetting to pick them up on time.
What Happens if You Miss the Time Limit?
If you don‘t collect your prescription within the hold period, here is what happens:
The prescription order is cancelled electronically.
Your patient profile is updated to show the script as unclaimed.
The prepared medication goes back to the pharmacy‘s inventory.
To get the prescription filled again, you‘ll have to contact your doctor for a new script. The old one becomes void once the hold time passes.
Communicate with Your Pharmacist
If you need a hold time extension or have other issues come up, speak with your pharmacist directly.
For example, discuss options if:
You will be traveling when your hold time expires
Your dosage changes before picking up the initial script
You want to delay starting a new medication
Your pharmacist can explain exceptions, workarounds, and alternatives given your specific health needs.
Clear communication ensures you get your medications when needed. Don‘t leave prescriptions sitting beyond their hold time.
Following CVS‘s prescription pickup policies helps them provide excellent service to all customers. Monitoring your prescription status online and being proactive with your pharmacist can prevent hiccups in getting your medications.
