Obtaining prescriptions is a large part of any successful health program. VA Puget Sound is no exception. We are in the business of filling prescriptions for eligible veterans treated in our facilities.   Getting prescriptions filled by VA Puget Sound is a great attraction, particularly to older veterans who would face high premiums or major expenses to obtain their prescriptions.

In order to meet this increasing demand, the VA buys prescriptions in bulk quantities, dispenses generic drugs whenever possible, and deploys the latest in technology to minimize waste.

How Do You Get Your Prescriptions Filled By VA Puget Sound ?

You must be an eligible veteran registered to receive care at VA Puget Sound and must see a VA provider. All prescriptions must be written by a VA provider. If you are an eligible veteran who has not yet signed up for care, you will need to fill out VA Form 10-10EZ and mail it to the following address:

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (136)
1660 South Columbian Way
Attn: Eligibility
Seattle, WA 98108

Once approved for care, you can make an appointment.

Refill Procedures:

Veterans have 4 options when ordering refills:
    Mailing in pharmacy refill slips 
    Using the telephone refill system (directions follow), 
    MyHealtheVet internet website 
    Dropping off refill slips in person at the outpatient pharmacy at either American Lake or Seattle.

Request refills for medications you take on a regular basis as soon as you get them. Don't wait until you are close to running out of medication.
Your refills will be mailed to you when the computer has calculated you have a 2-week supply left.

Refills are good for the number of refills ordered by your prescriber or until the prescription expiration date, whichever comes first.

1) RequestingRefills By Mail

If your VA Puget Sound health care provider gives you a prescription with refills, you will be issued a refill request slip. Simply fill out the request slip and return it by mail to the following address. (Refills from both the Seattle and American Lake divisions are processed at this address.)

  Pharmacy Services
  Department of Veterans Affairs
  Puget Sound Health Care System
  PO Box 81047
Seattle, WA 98108-1047

Please allow 14 days for processing if you mail in your refill request.  If you must pay a co-payment, you will be sent a bill by mail.

2)   Using the Telephone Refill System:

There are a number of benefits to using the telephone refill system. You will receive your prescriptions faster and do not need to pay postage on your refill requests.

You need a touch tone phone to use this system. If you do not have touch tone phone or cannot use the phone to order your refills, please mail in your refill slips. Please allow 14 days for processing if you mail in your refill requests.

To use the phone system, you will need to have ready (1) your full 9 digit social security number and (2) the prescription number from the label on your bottle or refill slip (use the most recent prescription number). All refills ordered by phone are mailed.

To order a refill, follow these easy steps!

Step 1 - Call 1-800-329-VETS (1-800-329-8387), or Seattle (206) 277-4000 or American Lake (253) 583-3000. The 1-800 number does not work outside of Washington State.

Step 2 - Press 1 for Seattle or 2 for American Lake

Step 3 - Press 1 for the Pharmacy (it may take a few seconds to connect)

Step 4 - Press 1 to order a refill for a prescription - have your 9 digit social security number and prescription number handy.

Step 5 - Enter your full 9 digit social security followed by the # (pound) key.

Step 6 - Press 2 for Pharmacy Prescriptions.

Step 7 - Press 1 for refill.

Step 8 - Enter the prescription number followed by the # (pound) key.   If there is a letter after the 6-7 digit number, just ignore it.

To find out if your prescription has already been processed:

   Steps 1 -6 (same as above)
   Step 7 - Press 2 for status of prescription
   Step 8 - Enter the prescription number followed by the # (pound key).

If you are checking the status of a refill request just entered by phone, please note that it takes about 24 hours before this information is available.

New Telephone Refill System Feature!

You can now request renewals for certain prescriptions using the Telephone Refill System.  If this option is available to you, the system will automatically prompt you when you request a refill for a prescription that doesn't have any refills left.

If you follow the prompts for requesting a renewal, the system will send a notification to your provider.  You can check the status of your renewal request by calling back after 5 days (following steps 1-6 above), pressing 2 to check the status of a prescription and entering the prescription number followed by the # (pound key).

3)  Ordering Refills Through the Internet

Go to www.myhealth.va.gov to register.  If you registered before November 11, 2004, you must re-register.  A Registration Wizard will guide you through the seven step process.

After registering you can access your medication profile and request refills online.


4)  Drop your Refill Request Slips off in person at the outpatient pharmacy in Seattle or American Lake.

Co-payments

Some veterans may be subject to a low fee ($8 co-payment) for each 30 day supply dispensed.

Hours of operation

             Seattle Outpatient Pharmacy

                        Monday thru Friday       8am-8pm
                        Saturday                     8am-3pm
                        Sunday                         Closed

            American Lake Outpatient Pharmacy

                        Monday thru Friday       8am-5:30pm
                        Saturday                        Closed
                        Sunday                          Closed

Getting the most out of your medications: 

Ask your health care providers questions, especially if something seems unclear.
Explain all of your medication allergies to your pharmacist and prescriber.
Take an active role in the management of your medications.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist if you are taking any herbal medications or nutritional supplements.
Report medication side effects to your prescriber and pharmacist.
Keep a current written list and schedule of medications to refer to. Tell a family member or friend where you keep it.

What are Generic Drugs?

It used to be that if you wanted to buy oatmeal, you bought Quaker Oats. These days, the savy shopper can choose among several brands of oatmeal. In this case, "Quaker Oats" is the brand name, and "oatmeal" is the generic name.  Many companies can manufacture and market oatmeal, but unless they own the rights to the brand name, they can't call their oatmeal "Quaker Oats".  This analogy can be applied to pharmaceuticals.

New drugs are given brand names. United States patent laws allow companies to market a new drug for many years without competition. After the patent expires, other drug companies are allowed to produce and market the same drug, but can't use the same brand name.  They use the generic name for the drug, and these are called "generic drugs".

Generic drugs are identical (known as "bio-equivalent") to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their brand name counterparts, the VA can often purchase them at substantial discounts compared to the branded price. In order to save money, sometimes patients are asked to change the medications they have been taking. The VA can use these savings to support quality health care services in other areas.