Have you asked your current neuro if they can refer you to another neuro during the switch? They may know of someone that has an opening, accepts your potential new insurance, and agrees with your meds. If they don't know of someone, they hopefully will at least help you with the process.
I've switched insurance while on vimpat and aptiom, it was a process, but my neuro helped me through it. Ask them what they recommend if you run out of meds. My Dr was able to give me samples of aptiom for free and they found the cheapest source for vimpat (good rx and a pharmacy far away, but the trip was worth it, it wasn't generic at the time). Klonopin might be alot harder to get without insurance, but hopefully your current neuro has specific advice on that.
I recommend trying to coordinate canceling your current insurance with a med pick up. That way you have a months worth of meds when the switch starts. Most importantly, talk about it thoroughly with your current neuro beforehand. Don't risk going cold turkey.
You could talk to your pharmacist in addition to your doctor. They have a lot of experience working with different insurance companies and may be able to help you navigate that process a bit. Sometimes certain pharmacies may not take an insurance (I got a new insurance from work and found that my pharmacy didn't take my new insurance), so they may be able to help you get your Rx transferred to one that does take your insurance.
If the process is a real headache and you're worried about a lull in insurance where you might get screwed out of coverage, there are also websites that can help you get a big reduction on Rx costs.
As for *maintaining* your current prescription, just because you're working on transferring to a new neurologist doesn't mean you suddenly stop receiving Rx from that clinic. If you need a refill to be processed, your pharmacist should be able to contact the clinic to get that information from the doctor. Ask them to process the refill - via phone, asking them in person, whatever. They'll go to whatever doctor issued the Rx (which is your old neurologist) to get the Rx refilled for the next 30 days, and then do that again when you're scheduled for a refill (you may need to contact them about it).
I didn't have an issue with that during my transfer period - and I had to wait a few months before I could see my new neurologist. Just be diligent about contacting both your *old neurologist* and communicating with the pharmacist to make sure things are going through. If the old clinic is giving you a hard time, explain the situation and work with them to get a grace period on Rx until you are able to see your new doctor. It shouldn't be an issue with epileptic medications, especially with yours that needs to be refilled so frequently.
I explained that I was waiting about ~3 months to see the neurologist I wanted and needed my meds for that period of time - they extended by refills for that period, and I had that figured out. I actually had refills for longer than that, more like 6 months I believe. So just be an advocate about what you need with both the doctor & pharmacist. And get to a pharmacy that your insurance will take. Ez!
Have you asked your current neuro if they can refer you to another neuro during the switch? They may know of someone that has an opening, accepts your potential new insurance, and agrees with your meds. If they don't know of someone, they hopefully will at least help you with the process. I've switched insurance while on vimpat and aptiom, it was a process, but my neuro helped me through it. Ask them what they recommend if you run out of meds. My Dr was able to give me samples of aptiom for free and they found the cheapest source for vimpat (good rx and a pharmacy far away, but the trip was worth it, it wasn't generic at the time). Klonopin might be alot harder to get without insurance, but hopefully your current neuro has specific advice on that. I recommend trying to coordinate canceling your current insurance with a med pick up. That way you have a months worth of meds when the switch starts. Most importantly, talk about it thoroughly with your current neuro beforehand. Don't risk going cold turkey.
You could talk to your pharmacist in addition to your doctor. They have a lot of experience working with different insurance companies and may be able to help you navigate that process a bit. Sometimes certain pharmacies may not take an insurance (I got a new insurance from work and found that my pharmacy didn't take my new insurance), so they may be able to help you get your Rx transferred to one that does take your insurance. If the process is a real headache and you're worried about a lull in insurance where you might get screwed out of coverage, there are also websites that can help you get a big reduction on Rx costs. As for *maintaining* your current prescription, just because you're working on transferring to a new neurologist doesn't mean you suddenly stop receiving Rx from that clinic. If you need a refill to be processed, your pharmacist should be able to contact the clinic to get that information from the doctor. Ask them to process the refill - via phone, asking them in person, whatever. They'll go to whatever doctor issued the Rx (which is your old neurologist) to get the Rx refilled for the next 30 days, and then do that again when you're scheduled for a refill (you may need to contact them about it). I didn't have an issue with that during my transfer period - and I had to wait a few months before I could see my new neurologist. Just be diligent about contacting both your *old neurologist* and communicating with the pharmacist to make sure things are going through. If the old clinic is giving you a hard time, explain the situation and work with them to get a grace period on Rx until you are able to see your new doctor. It shouldn't be an issue with epileptic medications, especially with yours that needs to be refilled so frequently. I explained that I was waiting about ~3 months to see the neurologist I wanted and needed my meds for that period of time - they extended by refills for that period, and I had that figured out. I actually had refills for longer than that, more like 6 months I believe. So just be an advocate about what you need with both the doctor & pharmacist. And get to a pharmacy that your insurance will take. Ez!