You packed the sunscreen and the hiking shoes, but your blood pressure pills are still on the bathroom counter at home. Or your bag never made it to baggage claim at Phoenix Sky Harbor or Tucson International, and your insulin was in it. It happens to thousands of visitors to Arizona every year, whether they’re staying in a resort, a hotel, an Airbnb or a VRBO.
The good news is that running out of a daily medication on vacation usually doesn’t mean going without it or cutting your trip short. If you’re physically in Arizona, a licensed clinician can often evaluate you the same day, by video or in person, and send a new prescription to a pharmacy near where you’re staying.
Quick answer: what to do if you’re out of medication in Arizona
- Don’t skip doses of critical medications. Medications like insulin, seizure medications, blood thinners and heart medications shouldn’t be stopped suddenly. If you’re already out of one of these and feel unwell, get care right away.
- Pre-register and start a telehealth visit. Pre-register online, then call (520) 232-2525 and we’ll text you a secure video link. At Sanova Urgent Care, anyone physically located in Arizona can see a clinician by video. Bring your medication bottle, a photo of the label, or a list of your medications and doses if you have one.
- Pick a pharmacy near your hotel or rental. We send prescriptions electronically during the visit to any pharmacy you choose: CVS, Walgreens, Fry’s, Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Safeway, Bashas’ or a local independent pharmacy.
- Pick it up. Many prescriptions are ready the same day. Call the pharmacy before you go to confirm.
Medications we can usually refill for travelers
If you take a stable, non-controlled maintenance medication and have simply run out, lost it or left it at home, our clinicians can review your history and, when it’s clinically appropriate, prescribe a 30-day supply to carry you until you’re home with your own doctor (see all online medication refills in Arizona). This commonly includes:
- Blood pressure medications
- Cholesterol medications
- Thyroid medications
- Asthma and COPD inhalers
- Selected diabetes medications, including insulin
- Migraine maintenance therapy
- Reflux medications
- Other stable, non-controlled maintenance medications
Prescription not guaranteed. Clinical evaluation required. Some medications require recent labs, vital signs or an in-person evaluation. Sanova does not provide controlled-substance refills through this service, including opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD stimulants and controlled sleep medications.
Staying at a hotel, resort, Airbnb or VRBO?
Telehealth works especially well for travelers because you don’t need a car, a local doctor or an appointment weeks out. You can start a video visit from your hotel room, your vacation rental or a resort patio. The only requirement is that you are in Arizona at the time of the visit.
- Resort and hotel guests: whether you’re staying in Tucson, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Sedona or Flagstaff, ask the front desk for the nearest pharmacy, or just tell us your hotel and we’ll help you choose one.
- Airbnb and VRBO guests: use your rental’s address to pick the closest pharmacy. Many hosts list nearby pharmacies in their house guide.
- Snowbirds and winter visitors: if you spend part of the year in Arizona, we can bridge your medications while you’re here and send a visit summary to your doctor back home if you’d like.
Staying at a resort near Tucson?
Our clinic on North Oracle Road is within about 15 miles of many of the area’s major resorts, including El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort; Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa; The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain; Omni Tucson National Resort; The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa; and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Guests can start with a video visit from their room, or walk in if they need an exam, X-ray or IV fluids. We are not affiliated with these hotels; we’re simply nearby.
Lost luggage or stolen medication
If your medication was in checked luggage that’s delayed or lost, or it was stolen, a telehealth visit can usually replace your supply the same day. It helps to have:
- A photo of your prescription label or the medication box
- The name and phone number of your home pharmacy
- Your doctor’s name, if you have it
- Your insurance card, if you want to use it at the pharmacy
Even without a bottle, a clear description of the medication name and dose is often enough for your clinician to make a safe decision.
Can’t reach your own doctor?
Sometimes the problem isn’t travel. Your doctor’s office is closed for the weekend, booked for weeks, or you’re between doctors after a move to Arizona. You can use the same video visit to get a bridge supply of the medications you take every day, so you don’t go without while you arrange follow-up.
Does insurance cover it? What does it cost?
We accept Medicare, AHCCCS, Tricare, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Arizona Complete Health and many other plans, including many out-of-state plans. Telehealth coverage varies by plan, so check your coverage or call us at (520) 232-2525. If you’d rather not use insurance, a self-pay telehealth visit is $140, the same price as an in-person visit, with no hidden fees.
Your medication itself is paid at the pharmacy. You can use your pharmacy insurance there, or ask about the cash price or a discount card.
When to go in person or to the ER instead
A video visit isn’t the right fit if you need an exam, a test or immediate treatment. If you’re near Tucson, you can walk in to our clinic at 15883 N Oracle Rd, Suite 101, Monday through Saturday, 7 am to 7 pm, where we also stock common medications you can buy on site.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, very high or low blood sugar with confusion, a severe allergic reaction, or you’ve missed a critical medication and feel seriously unwell.
Tips to avoid running out on your next Arizona trip
- Pack medications in your carry-on, never in checked bags.
- Bring a few extra days’ supply in case your trip runs long.
- Keep a photo of each prescription label on your phone.
- Store insulin and other heat-sensitive medications away from hot cars. Arizona car interiors can get dangerously hot, even in spring and fall.
- Save our number: (520) 232-2525.
Frequently asked questions
Can you refill my prescription if my doctor is in another state?
Yes, as long as you are physically in Arizona during the visit. Our Arizona-licensed clinicians can evaluate you and, when appropriate, prescribe the medication you already take and send it to a local pharmacy.
How fast can I get my medication?
Your prescription is sent electronically during the visit. Many pharmacies have it ready the same day, but timing depends on the pharmacy and whether the medication is in stock.
Can I use telehealth from my hotel or Airbnb?
Yes. You can start a video visit from anywhere in Arizona with a phone, tablet or computer.
Do you refill pain medications or other controlled substances?
No. Sanova does not provide controlled-substance refills through this service, including opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD stimulants and controlled sleep medications.
Dr. Kiyan Rad, DO, is a board-certified internal medicine and obesity medicine physician and Medical Director of Sanova Urgent Care in Catalina, AZ, serving Oro Valley, SaddleBrooke and north Tucson. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, President of the Medical Executive Committee at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Northwest Tucson, and former Chief of Medicine at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. He earned his DO from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. On this blog, he shares practical guidance on urgent care, chronic disease, metabolic health and recovery after a hospital stay.