FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
View answers to frequently asked questions to learn more about WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy.
What is a specialty pharmacy?
A specialty pharmacy fills prescriptions for specialty medications, which are often expensive and require special handling and expert knowledge from healthcare providers. Specialty medications are used to treat complex, life-threatening, or rare conditions.
Additionally, specialty pharmacies offer a number of personalized services to assist you based on your medical needs. For example, specialty pharmacists provide education about specific conditions, as well as how to take your medications, manage your symptoms, and avoid complications with your medications.
Our team also works closely with your healthcare provider and your prescription insurance company to be sure you have access to the right drug, ensure your medication is covered by your insurance plan, and obtain financial assistance, if available, to reduce the costs of your medication.
WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy offers services for conditions including but not limited to: ankylosing spondylitis, cancer, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, cystic fibrosis, growth hormone deficiency, blood disorders, hepatitis C, HIV, hyperlipidemia, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, respiratory syncytial virus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Why is my medication considered a specialty medication?
Specialty medications are often expensive and require special handling and expert knowledge from healthcare providers. Specialty medications are used to treat complex, life-threatening, or rare conditions and usually cannot be dispensed from a community pharmacy. Common characteristics of specialty medications include the following:
- High cost
- Infusion or injection based
- Must be given by a healthcare provider
- Requires special handling and storage (e.g., refrigeration)
- Requires strict monitoring by a healthcare provider
- Used for treatment of complex or rare conditions
What kind of services does WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy provide?
WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy provides a variety of services in addition to filling your specialty medications. Our team of clinical pharmacists has experience with complex conditions and works to provide services to help monitor your therapy, manage side effects, and provide education about your medications. Other services we provide include:
- Constant communication with your healthcare provider
- Coordination of the insurance approval process
- Enrollment in the Patient Management Program
- Evaluation of eligibility for financial assistance to reduce medication costs
- Free delivery for all medications and supplies
- Monthly phone calls to discuss any questions about your medication
- Monthly refill reminders
- Pharmacists available or on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions
- Training for self-administration of injectable medications
- Verbal and/or written education about medications and medical conditions by clinically trained pharmacists
How do I contact WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy?
A member of our team will be happy to help answer your questions about order status, benefits and co-pay information, and complaint resolution.
A clinical pharmacist is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have. Pharmacists are available for emergency and clinical situations (side effects, adverse reactions), complaint resolution, order status inquiry, and benefit/co-pay information.
Business hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 am – 6 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
In Person/Mail:
3040 University Avenue, Suite 1400
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-285-7216 or toll free at 844-988-7216
Email: [email protected]
What services are available if I have specific communication needs or other impairment? What if I speak a language other than English?
Our health system aims to provide equal access to communication and promote effective communication to all patients and caregivers. We will take the necessary steps to ensure that those with disabilities, including those with impaired sensory or speaking skills, are not, because of their disabilities, denied effective and necessary care.
One option is Language Line Interpreter Services, which is staffed with certified medical interpreters who can provide interpretation services for many languages through video or telephone call.
Another option is ScripTalk, which is a free program that provides “talking labels” to patients with visual impairments.
If you or a family member have questions about or desire to use these services, please ask a member of our staff for more information.
How will I know if my drugs are covered by insurance?
Specialty medications often require a prior authorization through your insurance provider. This means the insurance company requires documentation of your condition before it will cover a high-cost medication.
A WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy team member will immediately let you know if there are any issues that may delay fulfillment, such as prior authorizations or quantity limits imposed by your insurance company.
WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy will work with you, your healthcare provider, and your insurance company to complete this process. Our team will work to complete any prior authorizations as quickly as possible.
Once we receive notification from your insurance company, we will inform you and your healthcare provider of the results of this process. Because drug pricing and benefits coverage can change on a daily basis, a final determination of your coverage and co-pay cost cannot be made until your claim is processed.
You may also call the member services phone number on your prescription insurance card to get the most current information from your insurance provider. If you have Medicare Part D drug coverage, the cost of your prescription will change significantly as you meet your deductible and initial co-pay, progress through the “donut hole,” and reach total out-of-pocket expense.
Patient care coordinators can assist you in determining and understanding your options.
What if my prescription insurance does not cover my medication?
Our team will contact you if your insurance company denies coverage of your medication. We will inform you and your physician about potential options to cover part or full cost of your medication, including:
- Patient assistance programs available through manufacturer (e.g., co-pay cards, coupons), financial assistance foundations, and local nonprofit organizations associated with the disease state. Our team will help you enroll in financial assistance programs, when available.
- Utilizing a pharmacy within the insurance company’s preferred network.
- Contacting the physician regarding alternative therapies that are covered by the insurance company, if applicable.
How do I fill a specialty medication prescription at WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy for the first time?
Generally, your doctor will contact WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy and fax or e-prescribe a new prescription. You may also drop off a paper prescription at our Morgantown, West Virginia, location.
Once we receive a prescription, our team will contact you to gather insurance information and potentially schedule pickup or delivery.
A WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy employee will let you know if our pharmacy is unable to fulfill the prescription. Suggestions and guidance on where the medication may be available will be given upon request.
Your prescription may be substituted with a generic equivalent based on state law, equivalency rating, and in accordance with company policy.
Please ask a pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
How can I transfer my current specialty prescriptions to WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy?
Call us at 304-285-7216 or toll free at 844-988-7216. Our team will coordinate with your healthcare provider or current specialty pharmacy to transfer your prescription and set up pickup or delivery.
How do I refill my specialty medications?
Approximately one week before your next refill is due, one of our team members will contact you via telephone. They will also ask you a few questions to see how you are feeling and note any changes to your medications or allergies.
If you need a refill before WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy contacts you, you may contact us by phone at 304-285-7216 or toll free at 844-988-7216, or by email at [email protected].
Please have your prescription numbers ready when you place your refill order.
How do I receive my specialty medications from WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy? Do I pick up my prescription in person like I do at a regular community pharmacy?
Each month, approximately a week before your refill is due, our team will reach out to you by phone to see how you are feeling and set up your next specialty medication refill.
We offer free delivery services using experienced couriers, as well as carriers, such as FedEx and UPS, to ensure your medications are shipped appropriately.
Prescriptions are shipped Monday through Friday. We deliver to the most convenient location for you, whether it is your home, workplace, or another location.
We also have a physical location in Morgantown, West Virginia, just like a regular retail pharmacy, where you may pick up your prescription.
Do I have to sign for my prescription when it is delivered?
Yes. Before shipping any order (new or refill), a member of our team will contact you via telephone to agree on a date, time, and location for delivery that is convenient for you, so you can easily receive your medication on time.
How can I pay for my specialty prescriptions?
Once WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy has fully processed your prescription, a member of our team will notify you of your co-pay.
We will be happy to answer questions related to the cost of your prescription, including your co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, etc.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Cash will be accepted if you visit our pharmacy in Morgantown, West Virginia, but please do not mail cash.
Some patients may qualify for financial assistance to help reduce their out-of-pocket cost for specialty medications. Our team can also assist with this process.
If you have questions about financial assistance, please call us at 304-285-7216 or toll free at 844-988-7216.
What should I do if my insurance changes?
Contact WVU Medicine Specialty Pharmacy as soon as possible at 304-285-7216 or toll free at 844-988-7216 if there are any changes to your prescription insurance.
Our team will communicate with your insurance company to determine if your specialty medication is covered and if a new prior authorization is needed. Please keep in mind that this process can take as long as 30 days, so it is important to contact us as soon as possible to avoid delays in getting your medication.
If your medication is not covered by your new insurance company, our team will work with your healthcare provider and insurance company to evaluate options, such as alternate medications or financial assistance programs to cover part or full cost of your medication.
If your new insurance requires that you use a pharmacy within its preferred network, our team will coordinate the transfer of your prescription to a preferred pharmacy while keeping you and your provider informed.
How do I visit the pharmacy?
See the Contact Us page for details.
What is the Patient Management Program?
See the Patient Management Program page for details.
How do I properly dispose of my medications?
See the Medication Disposal page for details.
How should I handle my medication during times of natural disaster or personal disaster?
Call us as soon as possible at: 304-285-7216 or toll free at: 844-988-7216 for guidance when unsure how to safely manage medications during these times.
What is your complaint process?
You can tell us about your experience on the Contact Us page.