Prescriptions

Have questions about online prescriptions with Amwell? Look no further.

Online Prescriptions

With Amwell, you can set up your free account and have a visit with trusted providers 24/7. During your visit, your provider may recommend an online prescription. If this is the case, you may have questions and below we’ve highlighted frequently asked questions about your online prescription.

Before your visit even starts, make sure to tell your telehealth provider about any existing prescriptions or over the counter medications you are taking. Some medications do not react well with others, so it’s important to be honest and open with your provider to avoid complications.

If necessary, prescriptions are now available to patients nationwide. With telehealth services in all 50 states, you can have a visit and receive a potential prescription anywhere across the country. However, there are many medications that cannot be prescribed online, including controlled substances.

If you are having a telephonic or phone only visit, stricter regulations will apply. In certain states, you may have to have a video visit to get prescribed.

If you have questions about your prescription, please reach out to our support team at support@americanwell.com or call 877-410-5548. We have highly trained health service specialists standing by to take your call, 24/7.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.

See below for answers to some of our most common questions. You can also call us anytime 24 hours a day at 1‑844‑SEE‑DOCS for questions about our services or to speak to a doctor about your symptoms or conditions.

  • What is the Federal Ryan Haight Act?

    The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act was created in the late 1990’s to combat internet pharmacies that were selling controlled substances online. The Act took effect on April 13, 2009 and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued regulations effective on the same date. This Act imposed a federal prohibition on form-only online prescribing for controlled substances.

  • How does my child receive a prescription online?

    In the practice of telehealth, the child should be present during the visit. The patient’s appearance, particularly with children, is critical to differentiate between “sick” and “not sick.” Occasionally, the parent may want to talk in private with the physician and likewise, the provider may want to speak to the child without the parent. It is highly recommended all children are seen using video, however for those states that do not require video to prescribe, the decision to prescribe in this situation is at the sole discretion of the physician. Additionally, children need to have their own account to have a visit online - they cannot be seen under a parent account.

  • Can I receive a prescription during a phone-only visit?

    Regulations regarding the requirement of video as a prerequisite to prescribing versus the use of phone only differs state by state. If you are in a state where prescribing by video is necessary, our providers will ask you to end the call with no charge and call back over video where you can see the same provider. We recommend video consultations when treating children with respiratory conditions, abdominal pain, etc.

  • What if I receive a different prescription than my doctor suggested during the visit?

    Prescribing is at the sole discretion of your physician. Often times, someone will receive a prescription but that medication will be available in multiple forms. If the medication your provider prescribed is not covered by your insurance, then you may be issued a different medication with the same purpose that is covered by insurance.

    If you have questions about your prescription, please reach out to our 24/7 support line at support@amwell.com or call 877-410-5548. Keep in mind that you can also review the notes section from your visit in your account on Amwell.

  • How do I get a refill of my prescription?

    Prescription refills are ordered at the physician’s discretion and require an online visit with video. Refill visits require a full medical evaluation. Patients receiving refills online are required to have an annual visit with their primary care physician or more frequently as determined by the online physician.

  • Which states can receive prescriptions through both video and phone visits?

    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • District of Columbia
    • Hawaii
    • Illinois
    • Kansas
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Montana
    • Nevada
    • New York
    • North Dakota
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Washington
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming

  • What are the controlled substances that cannot be prescribed online?

    There are hundreds of controlled substances that cannot be prescribed online, these include most muscle relaxants, erectile dysfunction medications, and insomnia medications. Below is a list of commonly requested medications that we are not able to prescribe online:

    • Adderall
    • Alprazolam
    • Ambien
    • Ativan
    • Carfentanil
    • Clonazepam
    • Cocaine
    • Codeine
    • Codoxyn
    • Concerta
    • Demerol
    • Diazepam
    • Dilaudid
    • Fentanyl
    • Fioricet
    • Focalin
    • Gabapentin
    • Hydrocet
    • Hydrocodone
    • Klonopin
    • Lorazepam
    • Lunesta
    • Methadone
    • Methamphetamine
    • Morphine
    • Naloxone, Narcan
    • Nubain
    • Opium
    • Opium Tincture
    • Oxycodone
    • OxyContin
    • Percocet
    • Pseudoephedrine / Ephedrine
    • Restoril
    • Ritalin
    • Soma
    • Sonata
    • Temazepam
    • Testosterone
    • Tramadol
    • Valium
    • Vicodin
    • Vyvanse
    • Xanax

    You can find a full list of controlled substances here: https://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/orangebook/c_cs_alpha.pdf

  • Can I get a prescription online?

    Yes, in general you can get a prescription online. While there is support for this nationwide, there are several exceptions to be aware of. See the FAQs below to learn more about these exceptions.

  • How will I get my prescription?

    Once you have received a diagnosis from your online provider, they may talk to you about how online prescriptions work. At the beginning of your visit, you will be guided to pick a pharmacy. If your provider decides to give you a prescription, then your medication will be available at the pharmacy of your choosing and all you have to do is pick it up at your earliest convenience – it’s that easy!

  • Which states can receive prescriptions through video visits only?

    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • California
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Idaho
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • North Carolina
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia

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