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OTHER
7/7/03
Exclusive interview with Kathy, the owner of YourOnlineDoctor.Com
DrugBuyers.Com has asked YourOnlineDoctor.Com for an interview and some answers to frequently asked questions. YOD kindly agreed :-).
We would like to mention that YourOnlineDoctor.Com has become one of the best rated OP's with DrugBuyers.Com members because of the hard work and dedication of ALL their staff.
Hope you find the information of interest.
Q. How much is a consultation?
A. Consultations are $120. We do offer nice discounts for DrugBuyers.Com members. All free members now receive a $10 limited time discount when they present discount code "DBFreeX10" and VIP members receive a $20 discount all the time when they present the code available inside the VIP area.
Q. This seems expensive, why the high cost?
A. With a consultation, 99% of our patients receive a 90 day prescription.
This would average out to be under $35 per month with the discount. That is much less than a doctor's visit every month.
Q. How long does it take to receive an appointment once we have sent our fax?
A. We usually give an appointment time via e-mail within 24 hours from receiving the fax. Many times, you will receive your e-mail within hours for an appt. for the next business day. We are able to sometimes get our patients in the same day if the paperwork is received early enough.
Q. What are the prices of the medications?
A. YourOnlineDoctor.Com does not have a "pricelist" for the pharmacy. We do however, have the lowest priced pharmacy of any other OP. Our pharmacy also offers "priority overnight" UPS shipping for only $25. UPS guarantees this to be received by 10:30 a.m. or Noon depending on the area in which you live. The pharmacy does not charge extra for this. 2nd day shipping is $15 dollars.
Q. Why can't you provide a consultation without Medical records with a diagnosis?
A. By law, we are not allowed to diagnose over the phone. Even though we require a detailed medical questionaire, we are still bound by rules and regulations different from a traditional office visit.
Q. What regulations does the OP industry have to follow by the DEA?
A. This is a difficult issue. There are very "vague" regulations. There are guidelines we need to follow. The most important guideline is the "patient/physician relationship that needs to be formed. This is done in a few different ways. We require a very lengthy medical questionaire which gives our physicians a lot of background information about our patients prior to doing the phone consultation. The other aspect of our forming this relationship is during the phone consultation. Our Physicians spend as much time needed with our patients. Our Physicians receive all information prior to talking with our patients and all records are reviewed.
So, because there are no "laws" it does make it difficult to define this guideline with telemedicine. In some ways, it would be much easier to have an actual "law" on how to perform "telemedicine".
Q. What do you need to send for medical records?
A. We need patients' most recent records from a physician. These can be obtained from your regular physician, an urgent care facility or any other medical office in which you have been seen to for the medical problem in which you are requesting a consultation for.
Q. What is a "superbill" and why is that not adequate for medical records?
A. A "superbill" is just that, a bill that you receive from the medical facility that has treated you. It is not a medical record because it does not state your diagnosis. Many of them only state the reason for your visit as a code. We need the chart notes that the doctor or PA dictates or writes after your appointment. For every superbill or bill there is also chart notes or discharge summaries that you can obtain.
Q. Is there a "protocol" for writing medication?
A. No, each patient is treated as an individual. Just as if you were to go to a walk in clinic, physician's office or any other medical facility. Every patient has their own individual treatment plan. This is and should be no different for "telemedicine". However, our Staff is very understanding and does understand the need for pain management and many other issues. We feel that no one should have to suffer and we do our best to make sure that all of our patients can live a very happy and productive life. Without telemedicine, many would not have this opportunity.
Q. What is the pharmacy's refill policy and why can't patients order their refills earlier?
A. The refill policy is that you can order your refill 4 days prior to your refill due date. For example: If you are written a 30 day prescription, your refill can be sent on day 26. You would count 26 days from the day after the prescription was filled. This is done this way because with mail order, you do not receive your prescription on the day it was filled.
The reason patients cannot receive their refills early is because they are given a prescription for say 30 days, and they should last 30 days. We allow 4 days early so to allow for shipping times and room for error on the shippers part.
Q. Why is YourOnlineDoctor.Com one of the most successful OP's so far?
A. Youronlinedoctor is run by myself and Libby. Libby and myself work together 5 days a week, side by side with the doctor, the pharmacy and our patients. We also answer e-mails after phone hours are closed including many late nights and weekends, holidays etc.... It is very important to us that our patients do not have to wait until the following morning to have their questions or problems attended to. Although, we do sometimes take a day off on the weekends however, there are not too many nights or weekends that our patients are not taken care of to the best of our ability.
Lastly, YourOnlineDoctor.Com has a great working relationship with all involved in the process. This is very important in making an OP a very successful one. Our patients are not just a number. I feel that we have some of the best patients we could possibly have. We receive many many thank you notes and some days, it really puts a smile on my face when nothing else has gone right :-)
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Why? Then they will know you are not alone, and that you will report on their service to the largest pharmacy watch group. It will also help us to negotiate discounts and to mediate if there is a problem
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