How to get a 90 day supply of medication? A Comprehensive Guide

October 9, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the American Medical Association, patients on long-term medication regimens can face significant challenges with monthly refills, and transitioning to a 90-day supply can improve medication adherence and reduce stress. Learning how to get a 90 day supply of medication is a practical way to manage chronic conditions more effectively and save time and money on prescription fills.

Quick Summary

A 90-day supply offers convenience, potential cost savings, and better adherence for stable, long-term conditions. The process involves coordinating with your doctor, checking insurance rules, and choosing a suitable pharmacy option like mail-order or a network retail pharmacy.

Key Points

Consult your Doctor First: A 90-day supply requires your doctor's authorization and is typically for stable, maintenance medications.
Check Your Insurance Plan: Review your specific plan's formulary and rules to understand your eligibility and potential costs for 90-day fills.
Choose the Right Pharmacy: You can often use a mail-order service for home delivery or a select retail pharmacy within your network for longer supplies.
Verify Medication Eligibility: Not all medications, such as acute drugs or controlled substances, are eligible for 90-day supplies due to clinical or legal restrictions.
Save Money and Time: A 90-day supply often results in lower copayments and fewer trips to the pharmacy, saving you both time and money.
Improve Adherence: With a longer supply, you are less likely to miss doses or run out of medication, leading to better management of your health condition.
Address Potential Hurdles: Be prepared for issues like prior authorization requirements or pharmacy refusals by contacting your doctor or insurer proactively.

A 90-day supply of medication can be a game-changer for individuals managing chronic health conditions. Instead of dealing with monthly pharmacy visits and refills, you can simplify your routine by getting a three-month supply at once. This can lead to significant benefits in terms of cost savings, improved adherence, and convenience. However, navigating the process requires a few key steps, from talking to your doctor to understanding your insurance plan.

Steps to Get a 90 Day Supply of Medication

Step 1: Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

Your doctor is the first and most important point of contact. You will need a new prescription written specifically for a 90-day supply.

State your intention clearly: Mention that you would like to switch your long-term, or "maintenance," medications to a 90-day supply. This is particularly relevant for drugs used to manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Verify stability: A 90-day supply is most appropriate when your condition is stable and your dosage is consistent. Your doctor will confirm this and determine if it's clinically appropriate for you.
Request e-prescribing: Ask your provider to send the prescription electronically to your chosen mail-order or retail pharmacy. This is the fastest and most secure method and reduces the risk of illegible handwriting.

Step 2: Understand Your Insurance Coverage

Your insurance plan dictates your eligibility, costs, and where you can fill a 90-day prescription. It's crucial to do some research to avoid unexpected expenses.

Review plan materials or call: Check your plan's formulary (list of covered drugs) and benefits guide. Alternatively, call the customer service number on your member ID card and ask about your options for a 90-day supply.
Ask about preferred pharmacies: Many insurance plans have preferred mail-order pharmacies (e.g., Express Scripts, CVS Caremark) or partner with specific retail chains (e.g., CVS, Walgreens) for the lowest-cost 90-day fills.
Inquire about prior authorization (PA): For some medications, a PA may be required regardless of the supply length. A PA is tied to the drug, not the quantity, so if it was needed for a 30-day fill, it will also be needed for a 90-day fill.

Step 3: Choose Your Pharmacy Option

Once you have the prescription from your doctor and have confirmed your insurance coverage, you can decide where to fill it. Your two main choices are mail-order or a network retail pharmacy.

Mail-order pharmacy: Many insurers encourage this option and often offer the lowest copayments. Mail-order pharmacies deliver your medication directly to your home with free standard shipping.
Retail pharmacy: Your plan may allow 90-day fills at select retail pharmacies, sometimes called "Retail-90" or "Extended Supply Network" pharmacies. This can be convenient for those who prefer picking up their medications in person.

Step 4: Submit the Prescription and Follow Up

After selecting your pharmacy, ensure the prescription is sent correctly and track the process.

Electronic submission: This is the easiest method. Your doctor's office can send the e-prescription directly to the mail-order or retail pharmacy.
Online or phone request: Many mail-order pharmacies and retail chains offer an online portal or phone service where you can request a refill. The pharmacy will then contact your doctor to obtain the necessary 90-day prescription.
Track your delivery: For mail-order, be sure to set up an online account to track your delivery. Allow 7–10 business days for the medication to arrive.

Benefits of a 90 Day Medication Supply

Switching to a longer-term supply offers several key advantages:

Improved Medication Adherence: Studies show that patients on 90-day refills are more likely to take their medications consistently. With fewer refills to remember, there's less chance of missing a dose.
Cost Savings: For many insurance plans, the copayment for a 90-day supply is less than three separate 30-day fills. Some plans offer a $0 copay for certain tiers of medication through mail-order.
Increased Convenience: Fewer trips to the pharmacy and no waiting in line means more time for other things. With mail delivery, your medication comes directly to you.
Reduced Stress: You won't have to worry about running out of medication or dealing with last-minute refill requests. This is especially helpful during travel or emergencies.

Mail-Order vs. Retail Pharmacy for a 90-Day Supply


Feature	Mail-Order Pharmacy	Network Retail Pharmacy
Convenience	Delivers directly to your door, eliminating pharmacy trips.	Convenient for same-day pickup, personal pharmacist consultation.
Cost	Often the lowest-cost option, with reduced or eliminated copays for 90-day fills.	Can be cost-effective if part of your plan's preferred network; costs may vary.
Speed	Typically takes 7-10 business days for delivery after processing.	Immediate access for same-day pickup, great for urgent needs.
Personal Interaction	Limited face-to-face interaction; pharmacists are available by phone.	Offers in-person consultation with a trusted local pharmacist.
Best For	Stable, long-term maintenance medications where convenience and cost are priorities.	Urgent needs, new medications, and patients who prefer personal, local pharmacy relationships.

Overcoming Challenges

While generally straightforward, transitioning to a 90-day supply can present hurdles:

Insurance Denial or Prior Authorization (PA): If your insurance denies coverage, it might be due to a missing PA. Have your doctor's office submit the required clinical information. If denied, you have the right to appeal.
Pharmacy Refusal: A pharmacist might refuse to fill a 90-day prescription due to stock issues, questions about a handwritten prescription, or state-specific laws, particularly for controlled substances. It's best to call ahead and ask your doctor to e-prescribe.
"Refill Too Soon" Rejection: Insurers have rules to prevent stockpiling. If you need an early refill (e.g., for travel), ask your pharmacist or doctor to request a vacation override from your insurance provider.

Conclusion

Adopting a 90-day medication supply is a smart and proactive step toward better healthcare management. It improves adherence, reduces costs, and provides convenience, especially for those with stable, long-term medical conditions. By communicating effectively with your healthcare provider and understanding your insurance coverage, you can navigate the process smoothly and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a reliable, three-month supply of your medication. Be an empowered partner in your own healthcare journey and take control of your medication management today.

For more information on Medicare drug coverage and 90-day refills, visit the official Medicare website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a 90-day supply is typically only available for maintenance medications used for long-term conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Acute medications, such as antibiotics, and some controlled substances are usually not eligible.

Not necessarily. While many insurance plans offer the best pricing for 90-day fills through their mail-order service, some also have a network of retail pharmacies that provide extended supplies.

If your insurance denies the request, it may be because the medication requires a prior authorization (PA). You should contact your doctor's office, as they will need to submit the necessary paperwork to your insurer to justify the prescription.

Yes. You can ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription and use a discount service like GoodRx or SingleCare to find the lowest cash price. You may also be able to find assistance programs from the drug's manufacturer.

Maintenance medications are those you take regularly for ongoing, long-term conditions. Acute medications are for short-term illnesses, such as antibiotics for an infection.

It depends on the specific drug and your state's laws. While federal law may allow for a 90-day supply of some controlled substances, state laws are often more restrictive. You should discuss this with your pharmacist to understand the rules in your state.

The easiest way to start is by calling your doctor and asking them to send a new, 90-day prescription electronically to your chosen pharmacy. You can also sign in to your insurance provider's website and request they contact your doctor on your behalf.