What is a characteristic of compounded prescriptions?

Compounded prescriptions are tailored medications created specifically for an individual patient’s needs, which means they often involve unique formulations that are not commercially available. Because each compounded prescription can differ significantly in terms of ingredients, dosages, and delivery methods, they often require specialized billing procedures. This might include specific coding for insurance reimbursement or unique processing due to the custom nature of the product.

In contrast, compounded prescriptions are not uniform across pharmacies since they are made to order based specifically on the prescription details provided by a healthcare provider. While some insurance plans may cover compounded prescriptions, this varies and is not universally the case, thus leading to potential complexities in billing. Additionally, compounded medications are not typically available over the counter; they require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to ensure that they are appropriate and safe for the patient.