I've decided that the patron saint of insurance companies is Satan. A thread.
Doctor: I'd like you to up that dose from 4 pills to 6 pills. I'll have the pharmacy update the dosage.
Me: Yes sir. ~Immediately starts taking 6x/day of what I have left~
~Days later, pill bottle... almost empty~
Me: Pharmacy, can you please refill my medication?
~Day passes~
Pharmacy: Insurance declined it because you last filled it on 6/4 so you can't again until 7/4.
Me: But... but 6 is more than 4 so I'm consuming it faster (I always was good at math).
Pharmacy: You can try calling Insurance.
~Calls big mega insurance provider, 45 minutes later~
Me: So you understand that the dosage is up.
Ins: Yes.
Me: So I need more.
Ins: Not approved until the 4th.
Me: That's two days away so can we....?
Ins: No.
@AI78 Physician needs to issue a new script with the correct dosage. They should fill it. 🙏
@SaltyVeruca that's the weird part, they did! The insurance company even confirmed "Yes, we see the change in dosage."
Make it make sense. 🙄
@AI78 It's a new script authorized by the provider which makes a difference. Your physician should have anticipated that, I'd think. It's regulatory. A pain, but rules.
@AI78 PS Anytime I get a change in anything I ensure I have a new script on file even if I don't fill it right away. My doc is pretty good about it but we have a decent system where I'm at even more complicated because my meds are mail order.
@SaltyVeruca honestly I've never had an issue before when I get a new med or changed med. Likewise this was telehealth so I couldn't get a physical script (which aren't being accepted in my state anyway anymore).
Luckily this isn't a med that if I don't take for a day or two, I'll be at significant risk (there are others where I'd still be on the phone) but still. I've not experienced this level of insurance bullshittery in years.
@AI78 Of you haven't seen the latest South Park on the American healthcare/pharmaceutical industry, it's at least a chuckle. 😁
@SaltyVeruca the worst one was my great allergy medicine trial. I have seasonal allergies (pollen) like many people. The ONLY thing that has sure fire given me relief was Nasonex (Mometasone) back when it was still not available generic. Insurance decided they didn't like paying that so for 3-4 months I tried a new generic drug every two weeks. Finally they gave up and approved the Nasonex again.
At one point I had like 12 inhalers in my bathroom drawer.
@AI78 Lol yep. And unbelievably, our out of state sends my husband's controlled stuff on schedule but we have an unbelievable backlog because he takes it as needed. Which is insane. I'm just super aggressive and make providers/pharmacy/insurance deal with each other because they have all the info. That's their job. And I'm not easy to bullshit having been in healthcare regulatory. Good luck in the future!
@AI78 It's not uncommon unfortunately. I haven't had a physical script in years either. The deal is they have to have the provider on file saying it's changed. But if it continues to be a problem, consider changing pharmacies if the cost isn't insane? Sometimes a smaller pharmacy may "know" you and make things easier. I just make mine do it, no matter the provider. I have a few and one in state pharmacy for emergencies. Everything else is out of state so it's postal too.