I"m not sure how this would answer the referral part of this but a PM Dr in our area makes you come back every month if meds are issued. I know my PM (without meds but a ton more tests ordered) is about 250 each visit. My Primary is 125 to 175 and the Orthopedic is about 175 to 200. A Dr. in the Cleveland Clinic is 550 a visit.
I actually think that the way DOD is doing this is more like a regular PM establishment. Now do I wish they would give a refill, yes.
If I remember right before the internet became so popular there was a dentist referral place. I remember seeing it on TV all the time. The Dentist could pay to be a member and when a patient called in their area they were in the data base to be referred. Of course that's not exactly the same but we are in new waters with F2F.
K

I cannot login to VIP side and admin wont respond to my pleas for help. Any ideas.

James

James:

I tried to PM you but you need to "clean out" some of your messages. You're overlimit and can't receive PM's. (That might be why admin can't PM you back!)

I think the VIP has been merged with the public area. ie: No more VIP. At least that's what I read.

I DO have a PM on another topic I'd like to send you tho!

That the point the Pharm is your Pharm not there's these are the guys that are going to get busted History will Repeat itself. If you have a Pharm that will take your insurance copay goodie!! I pay 10.00 for a script no matter what the quantity is.

The densist referral service is 1-800-dentist. It is still around. IT is free to the patient, the Dentist pays to be on it. Totally different setup than the F2F.

can anyone tell me if dod will contact my pcp.i'm hoping not.also ive got good records showing where i receive xanax,hydros,and flexeril,for chronic pain, anxiety,ect. can they give me all three for the (low low price of 299)lol or is it extra or will they even do more than one med? please send feedback,thanks

Tango, as I said before, I have nothing personal against DOD - and if you are satisfied, that is all that matters.

You stated all those costs (and, believe me, I KNOW about costs), but having a referral service ON TOP of those costs, that's the thing.

And, only Hydro is prescribed. No Schedule IIs. Why is that? ER Schedule IIs are a chronic pain patient's best bet. These are the issues I come to the table with. ER Schedule IIs don't contain Tylenol (some do, but it easy to prescribe one that doesn't). That's a good thing. You don't get "hills and valleys" - good; you get consistent pain relief - good. But this is not available. DOD - James - correct me if I am incorrect and I'll retract all over the place.

Listen, I really, really don't want to make any trouble. If people are happy, I'm all for it. It just bothers me because a "real" pain clinic wouldn't take anything off the table. And maybe I'm living in La La Land, lol. I keep smelling pancakes and it's 2:30 here on the west coast, lol.

Tango, be well. I am very happy for you that you have found a service that, at least, listens and treats your pain. That is surely a blessing.

I have been prescribed pain meds at least 4 or 5 times in the last 5 years for pain from a moto wreck. I hit a tree and almost died. I was lucky not to have been paralized from the neck down. I ended up breaking my collar bone displaced fracture, and severly bruising my rig cage on the entire left side of my body. I also bruised my tailbone, damaged my siatic nerve and I have major bone spurs on both feet. A year ago...I was admitted to the ER for a bowel obstruction caused by taking too much ibuprofen, and poor diet....too many antiacids...so on. They ended up giving me morphine...which I hadn't had since my wreck. Every since that ER visit..my chronic back pain has gotten alot worse. Do you think I might need some more pain meds?

Bigmac - I am not really qualified to answer. Do you have a doc that you trust? And trusts you? How long have you been on your current dose?

These and other questions come to mind. IF you are not obtaining adequate relief on you current dosage, that is definitely something to discuss with you doc.

Sounds like you've been put thru the ringer (so to speak.) These kind of events often leave a permanent "marker" on you.

Talk to your doc. That can be scary and even risky, but you were put on pain meds to deal with pain - right? - and if your quality of life is still suffering, it is time for a chat. And NOT the ChatCP kind (a scammer.) With you doctor.

Good luck to you. Wishing you well.

DOD had a MA doctor for about a week. They then let him go. it is time for my first fill? What can they do for those of us, that went to the doctor, paid the $289 and got only original rx with no refill. Help.

Caren628

this is what concerns me about the F2F with no refills. It's one thing to put out the money and know you will be covered a few months...then it is another to NOT know!

Yes, exactly, Watcher. A patient needs to know that there is a treatment plan in place - and, if you adhere to it - that it with continue, will periodic adjustments.

I may not like my situation, no-far from it, but at least I know that my pain will be treated. For a reasonable cost.

IMHO, there is NO reason schedule IIIs should not have a couple of refills. Maybe the first script - so the doc can evaluate its effectiveness, etc, but after that, what's up?

Truth is, docs climbed on board with the promise of significant income (maybe they wouldn't without that?) I don't know. Maybe they are being cautious, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. But, for patients with experience with these meds - I just don't get it.

And, it doesn't matter if I don't get it. Like I said before, I have good pain management. My posts truly are concern for my fellow CPers and my desire that option continue to be available for them. Y'all.

Hope my posts do not annoy anyone. Certainly not my intention. Please forgive if they are not helpful. May we all have the best day possible.

I did a face to face thru DoD and other than waiting almost 3 weeks to see the doctor it went ok. Now I'm due for a telconsult. DoD called to schedule and of course charge my credit card. Surprise surprise the Dr. never called! Tried calling DoD this am and of course they are closed on 7/3 for the 4th! So I am now out of meds facing the holiday weekend and forced to cancel travel plans! When its time to charge your credit card you will hear from DoD every single day. When its time for Doctors on Demand to deliver on the service you paid dearly for..NOTHING!

I thought the RH Act would weed out all the companies that were just fly by night operations. If you're in the market for an OCS post RH Act I WOULD NOT recommend Doctors on Demand!

I figured just the opposite. The RH Act will scare away more legit companies and the others will fill the void. Even with the new law, once the DEA gets the lay of the land, they will go after the new OCSs.

Oceans - man, I am so sorry you have to deal with this. And, I am guessing, you had no option but to wait until a "certain" day to even ask for a consult.

IMHO, it is nearly criminal to not give any refills. You see the doc, do your part, get an initial script and a couple of refills.

They charged your card?? What's up with that?

Do what you can to remain reasonably comfortable. My heart goes out to you.

DOD - isn't this what you get paid for? To make sure your patients receive the meds they have come to rely on? Or what? BTW - stating the obvious is not negative, but NOT servicing your patients IS.

Oceans:

Have you tried calling the Doctor directly. I suspect DOD scheduled your tele-consult with the Dr but it's the Dr that didn't get to you. I would call the Dr directly and ask. JMO

This is going to be an ongoing problem with all these OCSs. They will promise/tell you one thing and then a few weeks later, WHAM, they are not responding to emails, phone calls, Rx problems, etc.
I am having issues with one right now. Been lied to basically and not told certain things until the last minute.
These places are now using all the same drs. "red flag".
They are charging outrageous prices and we get stuck with the bills and no meds. It's all about greed. It happened in the stock market, banks, etc. and now we have a collapse of the global economy.
Sorry but I needed to vent.

I had my reconsult the other day with them but this Dr. requires you to wait the full 30 days and calls in the script the same day. The call came to late in the day for me to go and pick it up so I had to wait. I live very rural.
I would demand my money back without having to do a charge back since that takes up more of your time. I would also request/demand the consult to be free or almost free. Word of mouth is huge and your story of the Dr. not calling you is not good business on their part. They should never close unless they know all the patients have been called by the Dr. That should be part of the service.
They should eat this money and you should get what you where told you would get.
I'm so jealous of the post I just read of the person in NJ who had a F2F, got 120, with 2 refills.
K

Thanks for the kind words guys. PNW, I'm doing the best I can but even 1800mg of Advil doesn't get me off my back! Dr. H in Ohio makes you wait 30 days for a refill. Ok fine but at least make some kind of allowance for long weekends or holidays. What really burns me is I try to do all the right things, I do my stretches and exercises, I keep my weight down, I follow the Rules for using an OCS and I paid the significant costs associated with it! Yet here I am with nothing and worse yet I have to explain to my kids why we can't go to the water park this weekend!

Worse yet I specifically asked my CS Rep if he was sure my Rx would be called in before the holiday weekend. As you can guess I got the same empty guarantee and worthless promises! "Oh it won’t be a problem, the Dr. WILL call you tonight and you'll be all set!"

I know things happen but for the prices DoD is charging they are on a very short rope with me!

That's the one that didn't call you? Yes they should make a rule for weekends/holidays and I was wondering about that since I was just off a weekend when my 30 days hit.
Can you google his address you went to and call them? My Primary is open today. Just trying to think of something. I would love for you to take those kids to the water park.
K

Each doctor handles these refills differently I think. Mine (from eclinicmd) contacted me right on time and asked if I needed extra pills because the script would take 2 days to get to me. I thought that was nice, but I didn't take him up on it. I had enough to stretch, and I am trying to build a relationship with him; not seem so needy that I get labeled...

I have always felt that these businesses, first and foremost, are in it for the money.

It's really a shame the way most of these F2F visits are turning out for people. There is absolutely no reaon, other than the money, for the doctor to not put refills on the RX.

oceans11 - I hope you get taken care of on Monday. It sucks that your holiday weekend has been affected by this.

Isn't it always about the money?
Oceans11 I feel for you. I just don't understand what has happened with the medical profession. You know that not one of them would spend a weekend being in pain, so they just don't understand what it's like to have to tell your family that you can't do things with them because of the pain your in. Many people have forgotten that the physicians work for US. I know OCS's have a different set of Rules, but why should we treat them any different. Should we feel grateful because we found someone to treat our pain? We pay them our hard earned money ( and most of the time it's a bundle of money) to have to wait for them to call in our refills.
I'm sorry for the rant, but I hate to see a person in pain who can't do normal stuff with their family because a DR. didn't call in the script when it was due.

I agree, now they told me they will let me know when they get another mass dr, but you are not allowed to see on of their other drs, in NH, VT or ME. Not to mention no refund for at least 100.00

First, every doc I have ever been to has an "on call" doc, if they are out. Every one.

Second, how can a non medical service (OCS) tell ANYONE they cannot see another doctor? These guys will not be around if they don't change their ways. And I don't mean just dod.

Third, it is not unusual to be able to get your script on the 28th day - the insurance companies will generally fill on the 23rd (altho too early for the doc). But, can't use insurance, right? Red flags everywhere. If the OCS' are legit, insurance should be able to be billed for their cost. Doc too. Pharm, etc.

Fourth - refills. With "normal" medical practices, you simply go to the pharmacy where you got the original (even if it says no refills remaining) and the pharmacist calls the doc - and more times than not (especially with an established relationship) you call later and then pick it up.

What's always been true, and remains true, is that pain patients are at the mercy of the OCS. And they have not displayed much mercy. They are not selling widgets, they are (supposedly) offering a service that provides meds (without which people go thru withdrawals) that make life worth living.

IMHO, the DEA will not hold the current model in any more esteem than they held the last. Our very health is on the line and we have a right to good care.

OK, rant over. Sorry. I get pretty emotional about this. NNCIP is doing it right. I do not begrudge any OCS/doc from making a buck - "regular" docs do too, but there are protocols and too many are NOT following them.

For those who were left hanging on this 4th of July, you have my greatest sympathy (for what it's worth.)

No need to be jealous!!! That person also didn't disclose that it costed her over 300.00 for the F2F, and for each refill mailed to her, it will cost her $150.-$180.00!! Depending what they feel like charging you! Guarentee that she will post about how much her refill costed her! Because I know that they didn't tell her that when she initially got her consult. This is with 1stclasscare. My friend uses them and told me how furious and mad she is with them. They have LIED throughout the whole process! I convinced my friend to tell them to shove it and go on Tramadol like I am instead. Unbelievable! The OCS's have turned into an utter discrace and personally, I would love for them to all go down! You guys need to either find a local pain doctor www.pain.com or take something else instead like Tramadol or Naproxen Sodium. Oh and by the way, my friend said she will post her experience with 1st class on their thread (from start to FINISH as in done with)...

Sorry for your suffering (to the above poster) and even more sorry that you aren't able to spend time with your kids due to not having medication! Hopefully you will take my post into consideration and lesson be learned. Sometimes we all learn the hard way:(

Yes PNW, absolutely! I know I wouldn't be at their mercy! I have more pride then that. AND since they need business, they should be bending over backwards for their patients. Not the other way around--patients begging for their medication.

James from DoD posted this on 6-1 (copied below). If I remember this thread right you only saw the Dr. once so the numbers he gives below should be higher for you since the Dr. was gone in one month when it came to your reconsult. I hope this helps if even a little bit.
K
Depending on what state your in, if the doctor quite 2 or 3 months after your Face2Face we would give you a credit of some sort $99-$149 to help cover the cost of a new Face2Face if it has been 10 or 11 months then we would obviously try to expedite your new doctor F2F but not give a large credit since your would have to see the doc again shortly...........We try to learn as we go and want to make sure everyone is happy. If something happens let us know and we will do everything we can to take care of it.

Thanks again,
James

We can not guarantee(make) the physician call someone the day before a significant holiday. I know that customer service is aware of times(holiday) that may incorporate a long weekend and should be aware of this but with the number of phone calls, emails and general customer service it is hard to step back and realize what happens 3 days from now. It it up to the patient to say"hey you guys are closed for 3 days and i know the doctor might leave early so please have him call me thurday instead of friday, if he cant where can i reach you friday(your day off) to make sure i can get my meds for the weekend" I know this might seem a little unusual or excessive but customer service waste a lot of time on people(non-patients) that call in for questions and a ton of emails.....we have an excellent staff but it is so hard to keep up with hundreds of emails and phone calls daily.
I suggest you only speak with your customer service rep and tell them your deliema.......they are human and i can honestly tell you they dont want ANYONE to not get the attention or medication they deserve,need,or expect.
Please take an extra minute(or make the c.s. rep take an extra minute) and build a rapport/relationship with them so next month or next year you can say "Hey Sean, You guys are closed over the 4th and i know last year the docs didnt call some people and they had to suffer, can you please make sure that doesnt happen to me or anyone this year!"

Thank you
James

James,
My teleconsult WAS supposed to be Thursday, 2 days before the holiday! This was done purposely to avoid this very problem yet here we are!

I called CS today and was again promised the Dr. would call TODAY! Well its 8:30 EDT and still no call! You may not be the Dr. but you ARE the one who I contracted with and paid a lot of money for this service!

If by some miracle the doctor actually calls I will gladly post that everything was taken care of. But until that happens I would advise any and all people looking for a F2F service to AVOID Doctorsondemand.com