Talk Cancer

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country. Mike, you’d still be paying for the high price of meds but doing it through taxes. And big government makes a mess of everything it does. And we’d all be paying them money to make the mess. Chip The system up hear buy medications in bulk which lowers the costs tremendously. That is why there are bus loads of Americans coming to Canada to buy the exact same medication that is available in the U.S.A. but at a very much lower cost.

Hi Ron, Some enterprising Americans could buy meds in bulk, and sell them to consumers at a much lower cost And if there were several organizations doing this they’d compete. And competition would bring the price down even further. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Mike, I understand your aggravation.  You attempted to help yourself by calling the insurance company. ""No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication" – What the hell is that about!!!  As I understand it, your doctor is responsible for you and the meds he prescribes. Best wishes, Mike.  This will work out… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance.  Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition.  And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Same with dental insurance. They only pay 50% for a crown and dental work which cost more than fillings, etc. I need to get a crown and it will cost $700.00 and I will pay half, plus the same tooth was filled a couple of months ago and it was $200.00 for the filling which I had to pay half, so I will pay almost $450.00 and insurance rates they pay dentists are based on last years dental scales. Too bad we don’t have public dental insurance in Canada, but we are lucky to have medical insurance.  Insurance companies only want the money, but don’t want to pay out. But at least for health care, you will always get looked after here no matter what hospital you go to, and we are lucky to get medical tests done free, though for MRI’s and the like we have to wait for a while, unless its an emergency.  Like you say, National health care has its problem and they never have enough money, but so far, its still there for us. I had heart surgery done a while back and was in hospital 8 days in a semi private room as thats all they had available at the time, then I was moved to a private room, and didn’t have to pay a cent. Mary

If we had public dental insurance, I would sign up for that but since we don’t, I don’t carry any dental insurance at all as the premiums are far higher than what I pay as cash payment. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country. Mike, you’d still be paying for the high price of meds but doing it through taxes. And big government makes a mess of everything it does. And we’d all be paying them money to make the mess. Chip The system up hear buy medications in bulk which lowers the costs tremendously. That is why there are bus loads of Americans coming to Canada to buy the exact same medication that is available in the U.S.A. but at a very much lower cost. Hi Ron, Some enterprising Americans could buy meds in bulk, and sell them to consumers at a much lower cost

I understand that a consumers’ group tried this a couple of years ago and the pharmaceutical companies got the government and courts to shoot them down. And if there were several organizations doing this they’d compete. And competition would bring the price down even further. Chip

I saw a couple of weeks ago that cancer drugs available in India made under license from an American drug company were selling for $200 US for a years supply and the exact same drug in the US cost $10,000 for the same amount of medication. No subsidies of the Indian price were involved and the company was still making a profit. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. It is a false assumption that insurance companies are better than national health programs. The insurance companies are in health care for the money and only the money. The bottom line is make a profit at all costs and the patient is only good for paying insurance premiums. The insurance companies have only one motive and that is to make a profit. Patients who are requiring medications are hindrances to the goal of making profits. They are not on the patients side at all. The only competition between the insurance companies is to see who can sucker in the most paying customers for their minimum coverage for the dollar. We don’t have HMO’s here but I have relatives that are dependant on them and I am convinced that one of my uncles would still be alive if he was living in this country and not in the U.S.A.   His health insurance ran out and he was forced to go back to work at minimum wage, after paying over a million dollars out of his own pocket for medications and treatment after the failure of his HMO to provide enough treatment for his usually non-terminal cancer. My only personal experience with insurance companies was after being involved in an auto collision. The insurance wasn’t going to pay anything until I hired a determined lawyer. In the end, it cost them a lot more than if they had been reasonable and just paid what the adjuster had recommended. National Health Care programs have their problems but I have yet to hear of anyone being refused necessary treatment because of money.

Ron, I agree with what you said above. Even with our more limited experience with insurance companies than the US, I get hate insurance companies, especially car insurance. I had a car stolen about 10 years ago, and it was only 2.5 years old and got a thousands of dollars less what it would be worth on the open market. Car insurance companies go by wholesale rates. Same with dental insurance. They only pay 50% for a crown and dental work which cost more than fillings, etc. I need to get a crown and it will cost $700.00 and I will pay half, plus the same tooth was filled a couple of months ago and it was $200.00 for the filling which I had to pay half, so I will pay almost $450.00 and insurance rates they pay dentists are based on last years dental scales. Too bad we don’t have public dental insurance in Canada, but we are lucky to have medical insurance.  Insurance companies only want the money, but don’t want to pay out. But at least for health care, you will always get looked after here no matter what hospital you go to, and we are lucky to get medical tests done free, though for MRI’s and the like we have to wait for a while, unless its an emergency.  Like you say, National health care has its problem and they never have enough money, but so far, its still there for us. I had heart surgery done a while back and was in hospital 8 days in a semi private room as thats all they had available at the time, then I was moved to a private room, and didn’t have to pay a cent. Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Although our health care system is going down the drain fast it seems yours is still a bit worse. What a load of BS! However, as I read it the bottom line is that your doctor *will* call in the PA if necessary and it *is* necessary so he will…. I am taken aback by his general attitude though, that’s no way to treat patients (hehe).

Not so sure, Philip.  I was told over a week ago that they would call in the PA.  Today, 8 days later, I was told, "No, we haven’t gotten to it yet. There are lots of them to call in."  So I’m not so sure the doctor will have someone call it in.  Guess I’ll just do without. MikeH  . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance.  Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition.  And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH

Mike, This is the insurance company’s fault to begin with. I’ve called in PA’s before and the reason they are such a PITA is that you have to stay on hold forever – I mean, I’ve stayed on hold for half an hour or longer – while I was also supposed to be helping bring patients back, take vitals, assist with procedures, or a hundred other things. People that work in doctor’s offices don’t have the leisure time to sit on hold forever – then I would get asked some question only the doctor could answer, and I would end up having to call them back.. and wait again..Uh.. been there, done that, quit that, don’t do that any more. And yes, the doctor needs to make sure that you are in the category of patients for whom the medication is necessary.  Seems the doctor shouldn’t be blanketly stating that no one should get prior approval for meds he himself has prescribed. Sounds a bit dangerous, even — to do so. But what do I know. Just seems like the more caring way to treat his patients, not to mention the safest way for him to avoid lawsuits. I guess I’m lucky – I had to have PA to take Prilosec BID for my hiatal hernia, and normally my company only allows it once a day – maybe it’s my company (cudos to Humana if so).. but they approved me for life, and I don’t ever have to get approval again to take more than they normally allow. Mike – you have every right to be angry about this. Angry at the doctor and angry at the insurance company. I’m so tired of insurance companies dictating to physicians how to treat patients, it makes me ill. I could write a book on some things I’ve seen. Just deplorable. Take good care, and write some letters. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country. Mike, you’d still be paying for the high price of meds but doing it through taxes. And big government makes a mess of everything it does. And we’d all be paying them money to make the mess. Chip

The system up hear buy medications in bulk which lowers the costs tremendously. That is why there are bus loads of Americans coming to Canada to buy the exact same medication that is available in the U.S.A. but at a very much lower cost. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country.

Mike, you’d still be paying for the high price of meds but doing it through taxes. And big government makes a mess of everything it does. And we’d all be paying them money to make the mess. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices.

It is a false assumption that insurance companies are better than national health programs. The insurance companies are in health care for the money and only the money. The bottom line is make a profit at all costs and the patient is only good for paying insurance premiums. The insurance companies have only one motive and that is to make a profit. Patients who are requiring medications are hindrances to the goal of making profits. They are not on the patients side at all. The only competition between the insurance companies is to see who can sucker in the most paying customers for their minimum coverage for the dollar. We don’t have HMO’s here but I have relatives that are dependant on them and I am convinced that one of my uncles would still be alive if he was living in this country and not in the U.S.A.   His health insurance ran out and he was forced to go back to work at minimum wage, after paying over a million dollars out of his own pocket for medications and treatment after the failure of his HMO to provide enough treatment for his usually non-terminal cancer. My only personal experience with insurance companies was after being involved in an auto collision. The insurance wasn’t going to pay anything until I hired a determined lawyer. In the end, it cost them a lot more than if they had been reasonable and just paid what the adjuster had recommended. National Health Care programs have their problems but I have yet to hear of anyone being refused necessary treatment because of money. — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices.

Sorry, Chip, but that doesn’t show up in my recent costs for meds. And the national health plan in France works very well for all my in-laws. The drug companies have a CARTEL on prescription meds in this country. MikeH  . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country!

It would do a worse job than the private insurance companies. At least they’re competing with each other for subscribers. And competition tends to increase their performance and lower their prices. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

MH schreef: Although our health care system is going down the drain fast it seems yours is still a bit worse. What a load of BS! However, as I read it the bottom line is that your doctor *will* call in the PA if necessary and it *is* necessary so he will…. I am taken aback by his general attitude though, that’s no way to treat patients (hehe). Not so sure, Philip.  I was told over a week ago that they would call in the PA.  Today, 8 days later, I was told, "No, we haven’t gotten to it yet. There are lots of them to call in."  So I’m not so sure the doctor will have someone call it in.  Guess I’ll just do without. MikeH

Call them and *bitch* about it. Don’t accept it. Make it as clear as possible without making enemies. You are a most polite and civilized person, use your gentle charm to be very persuasive. Insist in a friendly way (acting somewhat hurt sometimes works well too Philip  .

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks, Sally. I don’t think letter writing will do any good. I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! MikeH

I’m all for that, Mike! kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks, Sally. I don’t think letter writing will do any good. I’m tired of insurance companies, too. We need a national health plan in this country! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance. Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition. And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH Mike, This is the insurance company’s fault to begin with. I’ve called in PA’s before and the reason they are such a PITA is that you have to stay on hold forever – I mean, I’ve stayed on hold for half an hour or longer – while I was also supposed to be helping bring patients back, take vitals, assist with procedures, or a hundred other things. People that work in doctor’s offices don’t have the leisure time to sit on hold forever – then I would get asked some question only the doctor could answer, and I would end up having to call them back.. and wait again..Uh.. been there, done that, quit that, don’t do that any more. And yes, the doctor needs to make sure that you are in the category of patients for whom the medication is necessary.  Seems the doctor shouldn’t be blanketly stating that no one should get prior approval for meds he himself has prescribed. Sounds a bit dangerous, even — to do so. But what do I know. Just seems like the more caring way to treat his patients, not to mention the safest way for him to avoid lawsuits. I guess I’m lucky – I had to have PA to take Prilosec BID for my hiatal hernia, and normally my company only allows it once a day – maybe it’s my company (cudos to Humana if so).. but they approved me for life, and I don’t ever have to get approval again to take more than they normally allow. Mike – you have every right to be angry about this. Angry at the doctor and angry at the insurance company. I’m so tired of insurance companies dictating to physicians how to treat patients, it makes me ill. I could write a book on some things I’ve seen. Just deplorable. Take good care, and write some letters.

 . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::((((Jackie)))) :: ::I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through the same thing with Katie. :::((  Has the doctor *refused* to call in the authorization for her meds?? :: ::In *my* case, the prior authorization requires that the doctor’s office ::*call* the insurance company.  I’m sure they have to go through recorded ::messages and it probably takes awhile with each one.  So I *understand* the ::doctor’s dilemma.  But there’s no point in prescribing a med for a patient ::if he’s not going to do what it takes for the patient to get the med to ::take. No, the rheumy has been very cooperative. I received a call this afternoon that the PA is done. Took 8 days! From what I was told, there’s paperwork that needs to be filled out by the doctor. ::Good luck with YOUR battle!! You too, Mike!! Jackie ~*~Nature made us individuals,as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar,and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles. Why should we all dress after the same fashion? The frost never paints my windows twice alike.~*~    ~~Lydia Maria Child — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

<gently snipped ::Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! ::I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. ::Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? ::The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Dear Mike, I so understand you frustration!! Only your doctor can call in a a prior authorization. I’m going through this with one of Katie’s arthritis meds. We had an insurance change and the change requires a PA from Kate’s rheumatologist for her Enbrel. Katie has missed two doses because of this crap. Ever since Katie has been on Enbrel she rarely gets sick and when she does, it’s very mild. I told Katie’s rheumy that Kate is the healthiest she’s ever been since being on Enbrel. The rheumy said she hears that often from her patients’ parents. She explained how the Enbrel in controlling the arthritis kind of fixes the immune system a bit. Where am I leading with this? My poor Katie is so sick with a nasty head and chest cold. She told me she hasn’t been this sick in a long time. I am convinced it’s because she hasn’t had her Enbrel in two weeks. My pharmacist explained that all the insurance companies are doing this. He said too many doctor are prescribing pricey meds for everything little problem. The doctor has to fill out forms for this PA and probably will encourage doctors to limit prescribing expensive meds. I was told that I will need a PA every month for Katie’s refill. Aaarrgghhh!!! (((((Mike))))) Jackie ~*~Nature made us individuals,as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar,and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles. Why should we all dress after the same fashion? The frost never paints my windows twice alike.~*~    ~~Lydia Maria Child — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

MH schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance.  Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition.  And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH

Although our health care system is going down the drain fast it seems yours is still a bit worse. What a load of BS! However, as I read it the bottom line is that your doctor *will* call in the PA if necessary and it *is* necessary so he will…. I am taken aback by his general attitude though, that’s no way to treat patients (hehe). Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

((((Jackie)))) I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through the same thing with Katie. (  Has the doctor *refused* to call in the authorization for her meds?? In *my* case, the prior authorization requires that the doctor’s office *call* the insurance company.  I’m sure they have to go through recorded messages and it probably takes awhile with each one.  So I *understand* the doctor’s dilemma.  But there’s no point in prescribing a med for a patient if he’s not going to do what it takes for the patient to get the med to take. Good luck with YOUR battle!! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <gently snipped ::Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! ::I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. ::Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? ::The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Dear Mike, I so understand you frustration!! Only your doctor can call in a a prior authorization. I’m going through this with one of Katie’s arthritis meds. We had an insurance change and the change requires a PA from Kate’s rheumatologist for her Enbrel. Katie has missed two doses because of this crap. Ever since Katie has been on Enbrel she rarely gets sick and when she does, it’s very mild. I told Katie’s rheumy that Kate is the healthiest she’s ever been since being on Enbrel. The rheumy said she hears that often from her patients’ parents. She explained how the Enbrel in controlling the arthritis kind of fixes the immune system a bit. Where am I leading with this? My poor Katie is so sick with a nasty head and chest cold. She told me she hasn’t been this sick in a long time. I am convinced it’s because she hasn’t had her Enbrel in two weeks. My pharmacist explained that all the insurance companies are doing this. He said too many doctor are prescribing pricey meds for everything little problem. The doctor has to fill out forms for this PA and probably will encourage doctors to limit prescribing expensive meds. I was told that I will need a PA every month for Katie’s refill. Aaarrgghhh!!! (((((Mike))))) Jackie ~*~Nature made us individuals,as she did the flowers and the pebbles; but we are afraid to be peculiar,and so our society resembles a bag of marbles, or a string of mold candles. Why should we all dress after the same fashion? The frost never paints my windows twice alike.~*~   ~~Lydia Maria Child — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

 . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance.  Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition.  And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH  . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I wish I could help you, Mike, but I don’t know anything about PA’s.  I’m so sorry they’re doing this to you.  I hope they keep calling it in for you. {{{{{Mike}}}}} Love, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do!!  I am on two maintenance medications, Prevacid and Lipitor, that I take everyday.  One is for reflux, the other is for cholesterol.  Every six months when my prescription runs out, my doctor’s office has called in to get a prior authorization for me so that I can get the med through my insurance.  Now, the doctor’s office doesn’t want to do anymore prior authorizations, because it takes too much time and, as the doctor said, he would have to hire another full-time person to do all the PA’s.  I understand the doctor’s situation.  But I’m his patient!  I think he should feel an obligation to be sure that I have the medication that *HE* prescribed for my condition.  And I would think that he should *CARE* enough about his patients NOT to leave them without medications they need because of this. Well, I called last week to ask if I needed to find another doctor who could get the PAs for me.  The nurse I spoke with said, "No, no, no… we are not going to let you go without your medication. If you can’t get it any other way, we will call in the PA.  We just need to try to get patients to take other meds that don’t require the PAs if possible.  I explained that I had called my insurance company and that I was told that ALL the meds in the class of Prevacid require a prior authorization.  So, no matter what I take, I would have to have a PA. Yes, I’m angry at the insurance company.  But what can I do?  I am a peon! I work for the state, and this is the insurance program I have. Can I, as a patient, call in, myself, to request a Prior Authorization?? The pharmacist says my doctor’s office has to call in for the PA. Help!! MikeH

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response: