FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Services
What type of pill packaging is available?
Bubble Cards, also known as Bingo Cards, have plastic bubbles for every day of the month. From the foil sealed to the back of the card, pills can be pushed through and taken. Bubble Cards provide the most accuracy when managing multiple medications. Plus Packs are similar to Bubble Cards, but have larger bubbles to accommodate for multiple medications in one bubble. With Strip Packs, medications grouped by day and time are packaged into small, tear-able plastic bags.
How are your pharmacists involved in the medication review process?
Our pharmacists work to ensure patients are getting accurate dosing and the most manageable medication regimen. In the Pharmacy, they check every filled prescription twice before it goes out for delivery. They also visit communities daily to consult with nursing staff about proper administration, medication storage, and to provide recommendations for drug changes.
Does Mercury offer vaccines?
Yes, our pharmacists coordinate clinics within communities where they are able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine as well as flu shots to residents. If your community would like to schedule an immunization clinic with a pharmacist, give us a call at (425) 673-5200. Mercury does not offer vaccine appointments nor COVID-19 tests to the general public.
Refills
Can my routine medications be refilled automatically?
Every community we work with can be put on cycle. This means, based on your community, your medications will all start on the same day, lasting for a 30-day span. So long as we have an active order or refill authorization from your physician, we will automatically fill and deliver these cycle medications.
What happens if a resident is travelling?
Call us and let us know the days and times the resident will be out of the community. Mercury can then provide specialized travel packs for residents before their dates of travel.
Who refills my medications when I need them?
Unless you are an independent resident, all medication refill requests should be made by community staff. As nursing staff should be the only people handling and administrating your medications, they are also responsible for calling in refills at least 3-4 days before a medication runs out.
Which medications are not on cycle?
This can vary between communities, but generally medications that are controlled substances, powders, liquids, inhalers, or taken as needed are not on cycle.
When will my medications be delivered?
Mercury’s own Shipping and Delivery team make several runs out to our communities everyday. Residents of skilled nursing can expect their new orders same day, while residents of Adult Family Homes can expect next day delivery. New orders of antibiotics or anything given “STAT” priority will be delivered same day. Ask your community for their designated delivery time to better estimate when you will be receiving your medications.
Billing
Can I set up a recurring payment toward my account?
Yes! On our AutoPay System we can set up automatic withdrawals from your credit card or bank account. These withdrawals can be set to the amount due each month, limited to a certain dollar amount, or set at a consistent withdrawal amount until the account is current. Check if your account is currently set up for AutoPay.
Are there late fees if I miss the due date?
Payments toward accounts are always due the same month the billing statements are received. Mercury will only charge late fees on delinquent accounts after 30 days.
Do you take my plan?
We take most insurance plans including Kaiser Permanente, Humana, United Health, AARP, and many more. We also take state plans including Medicaid and Medicare Part D. To check your coverage, call 425-673-5200 option 2 or email Billing@MercuryRx.com.
What is the “coverage gap”?
Most Medicare prescription plans have a coverage gap (a.k.a. the “donut hole”). The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have collectively spent a certain amount towards covered drugs. Upon reaching this limit, your insurance will temporarily stop covering medication costs until the coverage year resets or you spend the maximum out-of-pocket amount to reach catastrophic coverage.
