How to Ask for 90-Day Supplies to Reduce Pharmacy Trips

Running out of your blood pressure or diabetes meds because you forgot to refill them? You’re not alone. Most people on long-term medication refill their prescriptions every 30 days - that’s 12 trips to the pharmacy a year. But what if you could cut that down to just four? It’s possible, and it’s not complicated. All you need is to ask for a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications.

What Is a 90-Day Supply, and Why Does It Matter?

A 90-day supply means getting three months’ worth of your regular medication in one go. Instead of picking up your pills every month, you get them delivered or picked up once every three months. This isn’t just about saving time. Studies show people who use 90-day supplies are 27% more likely to take their meds as prescribed. That’s huge. Missing doses can lead to hospital visits, worsening conditions, and higher costs down the line.

These programs work best for chronic conditions - things you take every day, long-term. Think high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid meds, depression, or asthma inhalers. They don’t work for short-term drugs like antibiotics or painkillers after surgery. Your insurance and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) set the rules, but the goal is simple: make it easier to stay on track.

Check If Your Insurance Covers It

Not every plan offers 90-day supplies, and not all pharmacies handle them the same way. Start by checking your insurance website or calling the member services number on your card. Look for terms like:

90-day supply
Mail-order pharmacy
Extended-day supply
CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Cigna 90 Now, Aetna

If you’re on Medicare Part D, you’re likely eligible. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) sometimes even offer 100-day supplies. If you’re not sure, ask: “Does my plan include a 90-day supply option for maintenance medications?” Don’t assume - some plans require you to enroll in mail-order service to get the discount.

Make Sure Your Medication Qualifies

Your doctor can’t just write a 90-day script for anything. Insurance companies and pharmacies have lists of approved medications. These are called “maintenance drugs.” Here’s what qualifies:

Drugs taken daily for chronic conditions
Generic versions are usually preferred (and cheaper)
Not controlled substances or short-term meds

For example: Lisinopril for blood pressure? Yes. Metformin for diabetes? Yes. Amoxicillin for an infection? No. Albuterol inhaler? Usually yes. Birth control pills? Often yes - even if it’s an 84-day supply, it counts as a 90-day fill.

Some specialty drugs, like those for rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, require three 30-day fills before you can switch to 90-day. Check your plan’s formulary list online or call your PBM directly.

A doctor hands a 90-day prescription to a patient in a sunlit clinic with floating health icons.

Get Your Doctor on Board

This is the step most people skip. Your doctor may automatically write a 30-day script because that’s what they’ve always done. You need to ask them to change it.

Say something simple: “I’d like to switch to a 90-day supply for my [medication name]. It would help me stay on track and reduce trips to the pharmacy.” Most doctors are happy to help - especially if you explain it’s about adherence. Some even have pre-written templates for this.

You have two options to get the prescription:

Ask your doctor to send an electronic 90-day prescription directly to your mail-order pharmacy (like CVS Caremark or Express Scripts). This is the fastest way.
Ask your pharmacy to contact your doctor on your behalf. They’ll call, explain the request, and get approval. This can take a few extra days.

Don’t be shy. If your doctor hesitates, say: “I’ve read that people who use 90-day supplies take their meds more consistently. Can we try it?”

Choose Your Delivery Method

Once your prescription is approved, you’ve got choices:

Mail-order pharmacy: Most common. CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Aetna send meds directly to your door. Delivery usually takes 7-10 business days. Some offer free shipping and refill reminders.
Select retail pharmacies: Cigna 90 Now and Walmart let you get 90-day fills at certain locations. Walmart’s generic drugs cost just $10 for 90 days - no insurance needed. But you must use their network pharmacies.
Specialty pharmacies: For complex meds, you may need to use a dedicated specialty pharmacy that handles storage and delivery.

Mail-order is ideal if you want to avoid going to the pharmacy entirely. Retail works if you prefer to pick it up or need it sooner. Just remember: if your plan uses Cigna 90 Now, you can’t just go to any CVS or Walgreens - you have to use one in their network.

Understand the Cost Differences

The big win? Lower out-of-pocket costs. On average, people save $2.35 per prescription each month by switching to 90-day supplies. That’s about $28 a year per med. For someone on three meds? That’s $84 saved annually - and you’re not even trying.

Here’s how pricing usually breaks down:

Typical 90-Day Supply Costs (2025)
Medication Type	Mail-Order (e.g., Express Scripts)	Walmart (Retail)	Generic vs. Brand
Generic (e.g., Lisinopril)	$10-$20	$10	Lowest cost
Preferred Brand (e.g., Lipitor)	$20-$40	$70-$100	Mail-order usually cheaper
Non-Preferred Brand	$40-$140	$100+	Significant savings with mail-order

Walmart wins on generics. Mail-order wins on brand-name drugs and convenience. Always compare your copay options before choosing.

A mail-order medication box arrives at a doorstep, with bottles and a blooming garden symbolizing consistency.

Watch Out for Common Pitfalls

Even with all the benefits, things can go wrong. Here’s what to avoid:

Assuming all pharmacies offer it. Not every CVS or Walgreens does. Check your plan’s network.
Forgetting to renew. Set a calendar reminder for 75 days in - that way, you’re not scrambling if delivery is late.
Trying to use it for acute meds. Antibiotics, steroids, or pain meds won’t qualify. Stick to daily maintenance drugs.
Living in a restricted state. Some programs aren’t available in California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Texas, or Washington. Check your plan’s terms.
Not checking for drug interactions. Mail-order pharmacies now offer safety checks. Use them. Call if you start a new med.

What If It Doesn’t Work?

Sometimes, your plan won’t allow it. Your doctor refuses. Your med isn’t covered. Here’s what to do:

Ask your pharmacy to file an exception request with your insurer.
Call your insurance company’s appeals line. Sometimes, they’ll approve it if you explain your adherence history.
Switch to a different plan during open enrollment if this is a recurring issue.
Use Walmart’s $10 generic program - no insurance needed.

Don’t give up. Many people get turned down the first time - but a second request with more info often works.

Start Today - One Step at a Time

You don’t need to fix everything at once. Pick one medication. Check your plan. Call your doctor. Ask for the 90-day script. In a few weeks, you’ll have fewer trips, fewer missed doses, and more peace of mind.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency. And a 90-day supply is one of the easiest, most proven ways to get there.

Can I get a 90-day supply of my birth control pills?

Yes. Many insurance plans allow 84-day supplies (three packs) of oral contraceptives, which count as a 90-day supply under most pharmacy benefit programs. You’ll still get the same benefits: fewer trips, lower cost, and better adherence. Just ask your doctor to write the script for 84 days or 90 days, depending on your plan’s rules.

Do I need to change pharmacies to get a 90-day supply?

It depends. If you want mail-order delivery, you’ll need to use your plan’s designated pharmacy like CVS Caremark or Express Scripts. If you prefer to pick it up, you can use select retail pharmacies - but only those in your plan’s network. For example, Cigna 90 Now only works at certain CVS or Walgreens locations. Check your plan’s website or call customer service to find approved pharmacies near you.

Can I get 90-day supplies if I’m on Medicare?

Yes. Medicare Part D plans are required to offer 90-day supply options for maintenance medications. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) often go further, offering 100-day supplies. You can choose mail-order or select retail pharmacies. Just make sure your specific plan includes the benefit - some low-cost plans have restrictions. Call your plan’s member services to confirm.

What if my doctor won’t write a 90-day prescription?

Some doctors aren’t familiar with the process or worry about liability. Politely explain that studies show 90-day supplies improve adherence by 27% and reduce hospitalizations. Offer to print out a fact sheet from your insurer or the CDC. Many doctors will agree once they understand the benefits. If they still refuse, ask if they’ll let your pharmacy contact them to explain.

Are there any medications that can’t be filled for 90 days?

Yes. Short-term medications like antibiotics, painkillers, or steroids usually can’t be filled for 90 days. Specialty drugs for conditions like cancer or MS often require three 30-day fills before switching. Some states restrict certain drugs. Always check your plan’s formulary list or call customer service to confirm eligibility before assuming.

Comments

Anastasia Novak

6 Jan, 2026

Okay but let’s be real - if you’re not using mail-order for your 90-day scripts, you’re literally leaving free money on the table. I’ve been on lisinopril for 7 years and my copay went from $45 to $8. That’s not savings, that’s a heist. Also, CVS Caremark sends you a little card with your meds that says ‘You got this.’ I cried. Not because I’m weak - because corporate empathy is weirdly effective.
Elen Pihlap

6 Jan, 2026

OMG YES I DID THIS AND MY HUSBAND SAID I’M TOO LAZY TO GO TO THE PHARMACY BUT I’M NOT LAZY I’M SMART AND I SAVE TIME AND NOW I HAVE TIME TO WATCH NETFLIX AND NOT THINK ABOUT MY DIABETES
Sai Ganesh

7 Jan, 2026

In India, we have a similar system called ‘chronic disease management’ under government schemes. Many pharmacies offer 90-day supplies at half the cost, especially for hypertension and diabetes. The real challenge isn’t access - it’s awareness. People still think ‘doctor writes 30 days’ means ‘only 30 days allowed.’ Education matters more than policy.