Published on May 05, 2025 | 7:32 AM
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If you've ever left a pharmacy empty-handed—or delayed refilling a prescription—you're not alone.
In fact, nearly 1 in 3 patients admit to skipping or rationing medications. The #1 reason? Cost.
Even with insurance, many people are shocked to discover that a single prescription can come with a triple-digit price tag. And for those managing chronic conditions or needing monthly refills, the costs add up fast.
But here's the thing: skipping medications isn't just a wallet issue—it’s a health issue. And it doesn’t have to be this way.
Let’s break it down.
There’s no simple answer, but a few major culprits include:
For many, the frustration isn’t just the price—it’s the process. Long waits, confusing formularies, or last-minute surprises can make getting care feel like a full-time job.
Let’s be real: when patients skip medications, it’s not usually because they want to.
It’s because they’re choosing between groceries or their blood pressure meds, rent or anxiety treatment, gas money or insulin. It’s a choice no one should have to make—and yet it happens every day.
Skipping doses, halving pills, or waiting “just one more week” can lead to worsening symptoms, ER visits, and higher long-term costs.
But the system makes it hard to do the right thing.
So… what’s the fix?
The solution isn’t just about coupons or hoping your insurance kicks in. It’s about rethinking how we get care.
That’s where online healthcare and telemedicine services come in.
Imagine this:
Services like Call-On-Doc are changing the game. You can consult with a provider, get a personalized treatment plan, and have prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy—all without stepping foot in a clinic. Bonus: they also offer tools like RX savings cards and price checkers, so you know what you're paying before you get to the counter.
Affordability is huge—but so is convenience. Between work, kids, and life, getting to the doctor or pharmacy isn’t always realistic.
When care is accessible from your couch, during your lunch break, or after the kids go to bed, you're more likely to follow through. And when prescriptions are affordable and easy to get, adherence skyrockets.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever skipped your meds, you're not alone—and you're not to blame. The system hasn't made it easy.
But now, there are better options. Telehealth platforms like Call-On-Doc are built to eliminate the barriers that keep people from getting the care they deserve.
Because staying on top of your health shouldn’t require a second job—or a second mortgage.
Ready to take control of your care?
Explore affordable, no-hassle treatment options at Call-On-Doc, and never skip a prescription again.
Bailey is a healthcare communications specialist at Call-On-Doc with over three years of experience helping patients access reliable, high-quality care. A Texas Tech University graduate with a BA in Electronic Media and Visual Communications and a minor in English, Bailey is passionate about patient education and creating clear, compassionate content that supports every step of the care journey.
The Psychology of a Fresh Start: Why January Boosts Motivation
Every January, people feel a surge of motivation — a desire to improve routines, break old habits, start new ones, and aim for better health. This isn’t coincidence, and it isn’t simply “New Year energy.”
It’s a well-documented psychological phenomenon called The Fresh Start Effect.
The Fresh Start Effect describes how certain dates — like the first day of a new month, your birthday, or the start of a new year — create a mental reset. These moments feel like a clean slate, giving your brain permission to leave old patterns behind and step into a new version of yourself.
Understanding how and why this effect works not only makes January feel less mysterious — it helps you use this mental momentum to create habits that actually last.
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Winter is the season when home safety matters most. As temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors and rely on heaters, fireplaces, and appliances that can introduce hidden risks. Carbon monoxide levels rise, space heater accidents become more common, and even well-intentioned humidifier use can release irritants if not cleaned properly.
The good news:
Most winter safety checks take under 10 minutes and prevent the majority of cold-weather home hazards.
Here’s what to watch for — and the simple steps that protect your home and your health all season long.
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If you’ve noticed extra shedding in the shower, on your pillow, or in your brush during the winter months, you’re not imagining it. Hair loss often increases in fall and winter, and the reasons have less to do with genetics and more to do with seasonal stress on the scalp, hormones, and overall health.
Winter changes your environment in ways that quietly affect the hair growth cycle. Understanding what’s happening inside your body can help you prevent shedding — and support healthier, stronger hair.
Cold, dry air pulls moisture out of your skin and hair. Because the hair shaft loses hydration faster in low humidity, strands become:
brittle
frizzy
prone to breakage
more likely to split
This isn’t true “hair loss” from the root — but breakage can mimic shedding.
Indoor heating makes it worse by lowering humidity even more, leading to dry scalp and fragile strands.
A dry scalp can become:
itchy
flaky
inflamed
Inflammation disrupts hair follicles, pushing more strands into the telogen (shedding) phase of the cycle.
Conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis flare in winter, which accelerates shedding.
Vitamin D plays a direct role in hair growth. In winter, sunlight exposure drops drastically, and vitamin D levels fall.
Low vitamin D is strongly linked to:
increased shedding
slower regrowth
weaker hair follicles
Many people don’t realize that winter hair loss can be a simple reflection of seasonal vitamin D deficiency.
Cold weather shifts appetite and habits. People tend to eat:
fewer fruits and vegetables
fewer protein-rich meals
more carb-heavy or comfort foods
Hair is made of keratin — a protein — so inadequate protein quickly affects the growth cycle.
Even small nutritional shifts can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary but noticeable shedding phase.
Winter brings:
colds
flu
RSV
COVID
increased stress
poor sleep
Any illness or major stressor can trigger hair shedding 2–3 months later.
This means March hair loss might actually come from a December flu.
Winter also increases cortisol levels due to less sunlight and more indoor time, which contributes to hair cycle disruption.
Most people drink less water in winter.
But dehydration affects:
scalp health
oil production
hair shaft strength
follicle function
A dehydrated scalp can’t support healthy growth, and the hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage.
Studies show humans shed slightly more hair in fall and winter — an evolutionary response to thicker summer growth and colder weather patterns.
Seasonal shedding is normal, but winter stressors can intensify it.
Jan 23, 2026 | 4:15 PM
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Every January, people feel a surge of motivation — a desire to improve routines, break old habits, start new ones, and aim for better health. This isn’t coincidence, and it isn’t simply “New Year energy.”
It’s a well-documented psychological phenomenon called The Fresh Start Effect.
The Fresh Start Effect describes how certain dates — like the first day of a new month, your birthday, or the start of a new year — create a mental reset. These moments feel like a clean slate, giving your brain permission to leave old patterns behind and step into a new version of yourself.
Understanding how and why this effect works not only makes January feel less mysterious — it helps you use this mental momentum to create habits that actually last.
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Winter Home Safety Checklist: Carbon Monoxide, Space Heaters & Humidifiers
Winter is the season when home safety matters most. As temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors and rely on heaters, fireplaces, and appliances that can introduce hidden risks. Carbon monoxide levels rise, space heater accidents become more common, and even well-intentioned humidifier use can release irritants if not cleaned properly.
The good news:
Most winter safety checks take under 10 minutes and prevent the majority of cold-weather home hazards.
Here’s what to watch for — and the simple steps that protect your home and your health all season long.
Jan 26, 2026 | 3:30 PM
Why Your Hair Falls Out More in Winter
If you’ve noticed extra shedding in the shower, on your pillow, or in your brush during the winter months, you’re not imagining it. Hair loss often increases in fall and winter, and the reasons have less to do with genetics and more to do with seasonal stress on the scalp, hormones, and overall health.
Winter changes your environment in ways that quietly affect the hair growth cycle. Understanding what’s happening inside your body can help you prevent shedding — and support healthier, stronger hair.
Cold, dry air pulls moisture out of your skin and hair. Because the hair shaft loses hydration faster in low humidity, strands become:
brittle
frizzy
prone to breakage
more likely to split
This isn’t true “hair loss” from the root — but breakage can mimic shedding.
Indoor heating makes it worse by lowering humidity even more, leading to dry scalp and fragile strands.
A dry scalp can become:
itchy
flaky
inflamed
Inflammation disrupts hair follicles, pushing more strands into the telogen (shedding) phase of the cycle.
Conditions like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis flare in winter, which accelerates shedding.
Vitamin D plays a direct role in hair growth. In winter, sunlight exposure drops drastically, and vitamin D levels fall.
Low vitamin D is strongly linked to:
increased shedding
slower regrowth
weaker hair follicles
Many people don’t realize that winter hair loss can be a simple reflection of seasonal vitamin D deficiency.
Cold weather shifts appetite and habits. People tend to eat:
fewer fruits and vegetables
fewer protein-rich meals
more carb-heavy or comfort foods
Hair is made of keratin — a protein — so inadequate protein quickly affects the growth cycle.
Even small nutritional shifts can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary but noticeable shedding phase.
Winter brings:
colds
flu
RSV
COVID
increased stress
poor sleep
Any illness or major stressor can trigger hair shedding 2–3 months later.
This means March hair loss might actually come from a December flu.
Winter also increases cortisol levels due to less sunlight and more indoor time, which contributes to hair cycle disruption.
Most people drink less water in winter.
But dehydration affects:
scalp health
oil production
hair shaft strength
follicle function
A dehydrated scalp can’t support healthy growth, and the hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage.
Studies show humans shed slightly more hair in fall and winter — an evolutionary response to thicker summer growth and colder weather patterns.
Seasonal shedding is normal, but winter stressors can intensify it.
Jan 23, 2026 | 4:15 PM
Feedback from our amazing patients!
"I can’t believe I did not know about this kind of service! This was absolutely perfect for my health concern and they were able to provide me with the necessary medication and with such cinch. Completely recommended this service. For minor health concerns, this can save you an unnecessary and costly trip to an urgent care center."
"Amazing!! Easy and fast! I didn’t have to take my 4 year old into an urgent care where only god knows what germs are there. The doctor sent the script right to my pharmacy within minutes!!!"
"I would give 10 stars if I could! CallonDoc is literally the reason I am recovering instead of suffering as I write this. I was skeptical at first, but I’m not kidding when I tell you I got prescribed my antibiotics and picked it up at the pharmacy within 2 hours. So instead of waiting & paying around 300$...I paid 40$!! I’m very pleased."
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