Refilling of Anxiety Medications - Doctor Requiring 2 Visits for one Refill?? 🤔

A family member takes Prozac for anxiety. He recently relocated to another state for work. As soon as his new insurance kicked in, he scheduled an appointment with a local doctor to get a general check up and his medication refilled.

During the visit, the doctor reassessed his anxiety and agreed it is quite high. However, she indicated that the appointment was scheduled as “a physical.“ Therefore, she could not refill his meds without a second visit. Even though when he made the appointment he indicated the primary reason was refilling his Prozac.

Although he did not understand why a second visit was necessary, he agreed. However, the doctor’s schedule will not allow him to be seen for the second time in access of two months later. He will run out of his medication by the time his second appointment arrives.

I do understand follow up visits for refills, but I have never heard of two appointments for an initial prescription. Especially for a med you have been on for a number of years and can prove such. BTW, I live in the state he relocated to.

Personally, I am in my 50s and on anxiety meds myself. I have never heard of something like this. Can anyone in the community tell me if this is legit or even legal for that matter?

He resorted to contacting his doctor in the previous state for a refill. Thankfully, that doctor agreed to assist him in getting his medication while waiting for the second appointment. While it has worked out, I still have questions about the behavior and professionalism of the new doctor. Thoughts? Anyone else experienced this or can give me a valid reason as to how this is okay? Thanks much!