Appointment every 6 months?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2007
Appointment every 6 months?
4
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 8:13pm
Does anyone else have to go in for a checkup with their gyno every 6 months in order to get their refill on pills?
I started seeing my doctor about a year ago, and she put me on Yasmin the first time I saw her. Her office called me 6 months later for another visit - which I didn't think was abnormal as most doctors like for you to come in 3-6 months after re-starting birth control to monitor you. HOwever, today I realized my prescription was up and gave a call to her office for a refill. They informed me I had to make another appointment with her to get 6 months more. When I asked why they said that you have to come in every 6 months if you are on birth control - does this seem a little out of the ordinary to anyone else? All my other friends visit their gyno once a year....I don't even think my insurance allows more then one gynocologist checkup a year.....
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 9:39pm

Here in New Zealand if we want a prescription for pills, we have to go for an appointment every six months. It's the law here, for two reasons - 1) because of health reasons (i.e. BP, weight etc), and 2) because of how our govt subsidised prescriptions work, we can only get refills for six months.

Most women here don't bother going to a gyn for their pill prescriptions. We might have a gyn check up once a year or whatever (and many of us just go to our regular doc for that too), but for pill prescriptions we normally only see a regular doc, because it's much cheaper, and far more convenient.


 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2005
Wed, 04-04-2007 - 1:59pm
I wonder if it's because Yasmin has the potential to mess with potassium levels, which can harm your kidneys and liver. She might be wanting to keep a check on your enzyme levels. If there is an issue with insurance coverage, you might talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes they can adjust the diagnostic codes they use for a visit to get it covered. My insurance covers an annual physical, but I have to have blood drawn every 6 months to keep a check on some cholesterol issues. Insurance covers those because they are maintenance visits for drugs.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2004
Wed, 04-04-2007 - 4:39pm
Hi,
I live in NY and my gyn always makes me go every 6 months. They only write the RX for 5 months and give me a sample. And that's with every bc method they've had me on (pill, patch, ring). And everytime they do a full exam (only every other a breast exam). Thankfully my insurance always covered both visits.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 04-04-2007 - 10:51pm

Once a year is more typical, but your doctor can decide what s/he prefers. If you don't like this particular policy, you might want to find another doctor. The pill you're on doesn't make a difference, or at least it shouldn't.

My insurance will pay for one pelvic and pap per year (that doesn't get applied to my deductible and coinsurance), but if I need to see my gyn for any other reason, even just for a consultation, it's still paid for but subject to deductible and coinsurance (I have a PPO).

I hope that helps!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control