Take Control of Your Chronic Illness Amidst a Pandemic

You, the patient, is as vital of a member of your healthcare team as your doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. There are many tools to take control of chronic illness that have always been important, but even more so now. Now is the time to develop and double down on healthy habits to help weather the storm of a pandemic.

Be Proactive

The best tool we recommend to take control of your chronic illness amidst a pandemic is to be proactive.

Staying on top of all aspects of your chronic illness, from contacting your provider to getting your medication, will help set you up for succes. Such as:

1. Find out in advance if you need more refills or an updated prior authorization to avoid medication delays. It may take longer to get a hold of your provider to send a refill to the pharmacy or get a hold of your insurance for a new prior authorization during a pandemic. Initiate these conversations early so you can get your medication on time.
2. Schedule your medications to be picked up at the same time to decrease the number of trips to the pharmacy and the need to leave your home.
3. Contact your insurance company and inquire if a 90 day supply of medication is covered. If so, you can pick up all your meds at once for three months, further decreasing the number of trips to the pharmacy.
4. Confirm your infusion center’s operating hours and if they are still open. If you decide to move centers, initiate the transfer early to avoid potential delays in treatment.
5. Stay on your regimen. The regimen decided by you and provider to get you stable will keep you stable. Speak with your doctor about any medication concerns and do not stop a medication without speaking to them first.
6. Avoid known triggers. Avoiding triggers that exacerbate your chronic illness can help prevent unwanted visits to emergency rooms or urgent cares.

According to Psychology Today, habits take 66 days — not 21 days that is commonly believed — to form. The increased down time during quarantine can help solidify these habits and ensure smooth sailing for dealing with your chronic illness.