Services
Prescription refill online in Puerto Rico
A prescription refill online in Puerto Rico is a US$49 follow-up video visit to renew a medicine you already take, even if another doctor prescribed it. Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico-licensed physician, checks how it's going and, if appropriate, prescribes it and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure, or trouble breathing
- Confusion or fainting
- Signs of very low or very high blood sugar
- An allergic reaction with swelling of the tongue or lips
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On this page(11)
What an online refill visit is
It's a way to renew your prescription without waiting for an in-person appointment: you're running low on your blood pressure pill, your inhaler or your thyroid medicine, and you need a new prescription for the pharmacy.
Anyone who already takes the medicine can book, even if we've never seen you and another doctor prescribed it. The doctor evaluates you in real time, because renewing a medicine is a medical decision, not paperwork.
Before you leave home
Why a video visit
For anything that isn’t an emergency, compare what each option takes.
| Comparison | Video visit | Emergency room | CDT or doctor’s office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting there | From home: join from your phone, tablet or computer. | Drive and find parking. | Drive and find parking. |
| Waiting room | Skip the waiting room: join from wherever you are in Puerto Rico. | Yes, a waiting room. | Yes, a waiting room. |
| Hours and time | We do not publish a wait time. Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text. | In Puerto Rico, a median of 4 h 52 min from arrival to departure for patients sent home (US: 2 h 42 min; Oct 2024–Sep 2025).1,2 | An in-person visit takes about 2 hours on average, including travel.3 |
| Price | US$79 visit · US$49 follow-up · US$35 forms. You see it before you pay; no insurance needed. | Depends on your insurance and on what is done. | Depends on your insurance and on what is done. |
| Language | Spanish or English, with the same doctor. | Depends on the place. | Depends on the place. |
| Prescriptions | If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. | Yes, if needed. | Yes, if needed. |
| When to go in person | If the doctor needs to examine you in person or run a test, she tells you and guides you. | In an emergency: chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side or bleeding that won’t stop. Call 911. | If you need stitches, an X-ray or a test on the spot. |
For problems that are not emergencies. In an emergency, call 911.
Table sources
- 1. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – State”, measure OP-18b: median time in the emergency department, arrival to departure, for patients sent home (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- 2. CMS Care Compare, “Timely and Effective Care – National”, measure OP-18b (US figure) (opens in a new tab), data for Oct 2024–Sep 2025 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- 3. Ray KN et al., “Opportunity costs of ambulatory medical care in the United States,” Am J Manag Care 2015;21(8):567-74 (US data, 2003–2010) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
We found no published source for what a patient pays at an ER or a CDT in Puerto Rico, so we give no figure.
How we renew your prescription by video
The doctor asks what you take the medicine for, how it's working, whether you've had side effects and what else you take. If you check your blood pressure or blood sugar at home, have your readings ready.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. Call the pharmacy first to check they have it in stock; your pharmacy benefit may cover it even though we don't bill insurance.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your refill in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit, choose Follow-up visit and pay by card.
You are charged when you request it, with a full refund if the visit can't take place.
We confirm your time and send your secure video link.
It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
The doctor reviews your medicine by video
and, if appropriate, we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
Prescription refill online in Puerto Rico: US$49
A refill is a US$49 follow-up visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay the pharmacy for the medicine.
If the doctor finds you need a full doctor visit (US$79), for example because of a new symptom, a side effect or a medicine that isn't working, she explains why and, only with your consent, you pay the difference. More on the follow-up visit page. Need a medicine you've never taken rather than a refill? See getting a new prescription online.
Which medicines you can refill
Medicines you already take that are not controlled substances, for example for:
- High blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Type 2 diabetes and thyroid conditions, including an insulin refill.
- Asthma and allergies.
- Acid reflux or heartburn.
- Birth control you already use.
- Other maintenance treatments the doctor considers appropriate to continue.
What we don't prescribe
We do not prescribe controlled substances, such as opioid pain medicines, benzodiazepines for anxiety or sleep, or ADHD stimulants, at any kind of visit.
When the doctor asks for lab work
Some medicines need up-to-date tests to be renewed safely, such as an A1C for diabetes or thyroid function tests. If you need them, the doctor gives you a lab order for a lab near you, then reviews the results with you at a follow-up visit.
Ran out or left your medicine at home?
If you're visiting Puerto Rico and left a medicine at home, we can help as long as you're physically on the island. A photo of the label or the box helps a lot. See what to do about a lost or forgotten prescription, care for visitors and, if you're traveling, how to bring your medicines to the island.
When to go to the ER
If you've run out of a medicine and have chest pain, trouble breathing, confusion, signs of very low or very high blood sugar, or a severe allergic reaction, don't wait for a refill: call 911.
Book your refill
Book a visit and choose Follow-up visit (US$49). Have the bottle or a photo of the label ready, plus your pharmacy's name and town. For a patient under 21, a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian must stay on camera for the whole visit.
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refill if another doctor prescribed the medicine?
Can I get a refill without a visit?
Which pharmacy do you send the prescription to?
Do you refill sleep or anxiety medications?
Need a refill or a results review?
US$49Follow-up visit
- You’re charged when you request the visit.
- Full refund if the visit can’t take place
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Follow-up visit: US$49 — BookAbout this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-09-30 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (4)
- CDC: A1C test for diabetes and prediabetes (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Hypothyroidism (NIDDK, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Puerto Rico Telemedicine and Telehealth Act, Ley 168-2018 (LexJuris, Spanish) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Telehealth Regulation 9518 (Puerto Rico Department of Health, Spanish) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-09-29)