I’ve a tendency to whine. I’ve matured over the years, and whine less, but, when I do, it’s a fine full-bodied, aged, whine! (I think I’ve complained about this before, but, it warrants additional complaining!)
Since I’ve been able to receive medical care, I’ve been seeing my physician every three months. And she has prescribed for me five medications. Of course, these need reauthorization by her every couple of months.
And there’s the rub.
It seems every month, my physician and my pharmacy cannot get it together. Some months it’s one scrip that need reauthorization, some months four or five. And it is as if the pharmacy speaks Tagalog and the doctor’s office Farsi, and never the twain shall meet.
EVERY MONTH I get to wrestle with the two of them telephonically, until the missing med is reauthorized. This most current event began last Thursday, when I called my prescription requests to the pharmacy. I was able to pick up all but one med on Monday. Still awaiting one permission. And two of the drugs I collected had needed reauthorization(!) WTF?
And, my doctor won’t authorize the 90 day prescriptions – guess she wants to keep closer tabs on me. I’m scheduled for another visit this month.
Two of the medications are blood pressure related. I wonder if I’d only need one, if someone simply did their job!
My previous doctor and pharmacy seemed to work in concert with one another. Of course, they were more expensive.
I’m still awaiting confirmation the scrip has been ordered. Sigh.
Update – after over an hour on the telephone with both the doctor’s office and the pharmacy, they told me they would transfer me to my doctor’s medical assistant (who was given the message yesterday) to get this resolved.
It went to her voice mail!!
My oldest, the pharmacy tech, says “Tell him that’s pretty much the norm, these days.” Strangely, that’s not any comfort.
Posted by Rev. Paul | October 3, 2012, 9:00 amWell, it’s good to know it’s not personal…thanks!
(sigh)
Posted by guffaw1952 | October 3, 2012, 9:03 amOh! Oh! Oh! I go through the SAME blasted thing about every 3 months. Add to it that having learned that it sometimes takes the doctor’s office a couple days to authorize the refill, I now make sure I call it in a few days ahead of real need. Only to sometimes find that the pharmacy never faxed the request over.
Posted by ProudHillbilly | October 3, 2012, 10:00 amYep. This began last Thursday afternoon!
Posted by guffaw1952 | October 3, 2012, 12:43 pmI’ve been through this the last few weeks. The insurance company says they want 3-month prescriptions. The doctor (whom I love) writes the ‘scrip for 90 days and 3 refills. After the first refill, the pharmacy says they can’t refill without a pre-authorization. I then have to get an appointment with the doc’, have multiple tests done again (at considerable expense, and they draw FIVE tubes of blood), then fight with the insurance because they say I should go on a cheaper medicine. Of course, my doctor knows I’ve had severe side effects from the cheaper class of drug and wants me on the expensive one. Round and round we go. I actually wound up in the ER because I’d been without any medication for TWO weeks. I’m waiting now for the letter from the insurance company saying they won’t authorize the ER visit. And Dear Leader says it’ll all be better soon!
Posted by Don | October 4, 2012, 12:00 amBecause obviously, the same folks who brought us the compassion of the IRS, and efficiency of the Postal Service will do us well by health care.
Yeah, right!
Posted by guffaw1952 | October 4, 2012, 6:48 am