There was a time I refused to have a cell phone. That wasn't too many years ago. Well, not as I count years. Probably it was about eight I guess.
I can remember.. sitting in a restaurant and actually talking to the people you were with instead of the one who couldn't make it...not having to listen to the person behind you in line at the store threaten her kids (and wonder if she really thought they cared. What was she going to do, reach through the phone?)...being at work and knowing the person looking at me was talking to me...leaving the house and knowing the kids couldn't find you until you were ready.
Today after lunch though I remembered...walking the floor at 2a.m. because a child wasn't home yet (I guess that works both ways)...being stranded in traffic and not having a way to let anyone know...being lost coming back from a Christmas Around The World party and being afraid to knock on someones door to use the phone...running out of gas...not being able to find your parents when you want to...
I remembered all this because Les and I went to church in separate cars this morning and I forgot my cell phone. Soooo, we left church in separate cars, and met for lunch. When we left the restaurant I went first and was cruising down Clear Lake City Blvd. When I crossed the tracks I looked back and he wasn't behind me. I drove slowly for another few blocks then turned on my hazard lights and barely rolled. Finally just before I got to I-45 I turned around and started back, watching for him. Sure enough, there he went, right past me going the opposite way. We saw each other about the same time and I had to U-turn and go back. Anyway, by the time I pulled up in the driveway he was about to back out to go look for me.
If there is a moral to this story I guess it would be, keep your cell phone with you and turn it off if you don't want to be found!!
Love You All
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF INSURANCE DEPENDENCY
--------------WHAT IS THEIR PLAN, REALLY?----------------
I have spent the last five months fighting "the system" and guess what? I'm loosing.
I feel a little like Ziggy, "It's just you and me against the world (insurance company), and frankly I think we're going to get creamed". I suppose in most cases, even for me, generic drugs are a blessing. This time though the generic does not work and they don't care.
In October a patch came out to replace the one I have been using for almost ten years for blood pressure, and it cost us nothing. No co-pay at all vs $100.00. So, what am I complaining about? It's a patch and does not stick to my tough hide. The process that has evolved has turned into a fiasco.
Before we found that out I had to have my doctor write a script for the generic so I could get it filled, for nothing. Then for the next two months I paid nothing for my blood pressure patch, but my blood pressure was staying around 190/90 because the medication did not stay stuck. The insurance company said "move it to a less 'exposed' part of your body". Okay, I won't tell y'all just where all we tried that patch, but it still didn't stay stuck.
At that point I got really upset with the insurance person on the other end of the phone and told her to pass on to "whom ever won't let her do anything about the situation", that as their insured I had two options. Have a stroke and be hospitalized for weeks, costing them a little more than my co-pay, or opt for "the public option", whatever that turned out to be. Then I was on a roll and said, "maybe there is a third option, which would behoove you guys. That would be to just choose pain meds until my blood pressure took care of the whole situation".
In January I gave up and paid the now increased co-pay ($131.00) because I refused the generic. My doctor and I both wrote appeal letters to the insurance company stating "medically necessary" and they have 45 days to respond with their ruling.
Well, today I went to pick up my February refill and it had gone up to $156.00 because now not only do we have to pay the non-preferred cost, but the difference between the "market price" of the drug, and the generic price. Whatever that means. I guess processing the name brand must be a little like dragging the coast of Main for lobster or processing caviar. It cost about the same.
So, what happened today? I called the doctor again and asked to have a script faxed to the drug store stating name brand only based on medical necessity. I won't have it for today, which I should have, but maybe by tomorrow evening after four pm I will.
I know people who work for the insurance company are just that, people. I try really hard not to shoot the messenger since they are probably a little like the guy in Custer's battle with the Apache. They know they are going to get slaughtered, probably from both ends. (don't ask where that gruesome analogy came from, not today).
Besides all the conversation between the pharmacy, me, the insurance company (two different people) and the doctor's office, I had Hunter running around spilling his coke and talking to all the people waiting to get their medicines filled. He just climbed up beside this older man and started shaking his hand and telling him, who knows what? I'm sure the man didn't know nor did I. I guess only Hunter knows for sure.
Maybe none of you feel any better but I think I do. Hope you all have a good evening.
Love ya,
Nana
Brand Necessary vs. Generic
I have spent the last five months fighting "the system" and guess what? I'm loosing.
I feel a little like Ziggy, "It's just you and me against the world (insurance company), and frankly I think we're going to get creamed". I suppose in most cases, even for me, generic drugs are a blessing. This time though the generic does not work and they don't care.
In October a patch came out to replace the one I have been using for almost ten years for blood pressure, and it cost us nothing. No co-pay at all vs $100.00. So, what am I complaining about? It's a patch and does not stick to my tough hide. The process that has evolved has turned into a fiasco.
Before we found that out I had to have my doctor write a script for the generic so I could get it filled, for nothing. Then for the next two months I paid nothing for my blood pressure patch, but my blood pressure was staying around 190/90 because the medication did not stay stuck. The insurance company said "move it to a less 'exposed' part of your body". Okay, I won't tell y'all just where all we tried that patch, but it still didn't stay stuck.
At that point I got really upset with the insurance person on the other end of the phone and told her to pass on to "whom ever won't let her do anything about the situation", that as their insured I had two options. Have a stroke and be hospitalized for weeks, costing them a little more than my co-pay, or opt for "the public option", whatever that turned out to be. Then I was on a roll and said, "maybe there is a third option, which would behoove you guys. That would be to just choose pain meds until my blood pressure took care of the whole situation".
In January I gave up and paid the now increased co-pay ($131.00) because I refused the generic. My doctor and I both wrote appeal letters to the insurance company stating "medically necessary" and they have 45 days to respond with their ruling.
Well, today I went to pick up my February refill and it had gone up to $156.00 because now not only do we have to pay the non-preferred cost, but the difference between the "market price" of the drug, and the generic price. Whatever that means. I guess processing the name brand must be a little like dragging the coast of Main for lobster or processing caviar. It cost about the same.
So, what happened today? I called the doctor again and asked to have a script faxed to the drug store stating name brand only based on medical necessity. I won't have it for today, which I should have, but maybe by tomorrow evening after four pm I will.
I know people who work for the insurance company are just that, people. I try really hard not to shoot the messenger since they are probably a little like the guy in Custer's battle with the Apache. They know they are going to get slaughtered, probably from both ends. (don't ask where that gruesome analogy came from, not today).
Besides all the conversation between the pharmacy, me, the insurance company (two different people) and the doctor's office, I had Hunter running around spilling his coke and talking to all the people waiting to get their medicines filled. He just climbed up beside this older man and started shaking his hand and telling him, who knows what? I'm sure the man didn't know nor did I. I guess only Hunter knows for sure.
Maybe none of you feel any better but I think I do. Hope you all have a good evening.
Love ya,
Nana
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