If it wasn’t fun enough to have a couple of diagnosis that I am trying my best to deal with, the insurance companies make it even more maddening.

Today I needed to refill a prescription – when I went to the counter, it was double what I should be paying.

First, this RX is outside of the insurance company’s tiered therapy plan. I went through those other tiers of medications long before I started this insurance in June. My MD had to fax in a waiver stating such. He had to do this twice, as the insurance company had no record of the first interaction.

Next, I was told I’d have to get the RX by mail order, 90 days at a time. The cost was triple what I can get it for from my local pharmacy, with a prescription card from the medication manufacturer. Twice the insurance company has sent my MD the mail order waiver. Twice he sent it back. It still is not resolved. We are five months into this now. Five months of calling monthly. Including today.

Then, I realized I needed more insulin pod delivery systems, so I called the notorious poor service medical supply company. I’ve used the pods exactly as written, and I will run out soon. This company has to be practically threatened daily to send orders in a timely manner on a good day. After arguing with me that I shouldn’t be running out, she said they would send me one box. After I faxed them a form.

Oh, I’ve been trying to fax said form for 24 hours. It won’t go through – the problem is on their side. As a diabetic, I don’t want to run out. The form went through on the alternate fax line given to me after 20 minutes on hold, but the order has not been placed.

I’m on hold now with the pod manufacturers. Today’s pod failed as I instilled the insulin – a first. I know they will send me a replacement – whenever I get off hold. I’m at 20 minutes of Muzak waiting now.

It shouldn’t be a full time job to deal with insurance issues- but it is.

The sad thing is this insurance is miles better than the hospital insurance I had as a nurse.

I’m grateful I have insurance- but the system is broken. The MD’s and patients are at the mercy of the insurance companies. It should not be that way.

The happy ending to today’s take is my pod company is sending me 4 pods overnight mail so I don’t run out.

Amen.

Until next month.