Do insurance companies mess with you because they can?
This is a courtesy call from Walgreens. Your order is delayed due to an insurance issue we're working to resolve.
I'm sure you're all familiar with those words. I'm guessing all the pharmacies have a version of this. You try to fill a prescription and you get a call saying there's a delay. Usually it's taken care and the prescription is filled fairly quick....usually. Sometimes not so much.
I received that call on Friday at about 3pm. I figured no big deal. I can wait another hour or so. But when I went back to the pharmacy at 6pm, still nothing....and again at 8:45 right before they closed. When they told me to try again in the morning, I was more than a little irritated.
I told a friend the story and asked her a question: Me: Do you think insurance companies deny everything hoping you need the medicine bad enough that you'll buy it out of pocket? Her: Yes I do (which she said immediately without thinking it over)
Honestly, that thought never came into my head until then. I knew insurance companies were all about the profit and not about patient's health but I didn't think it would take a medicine that cost only $13.50 to bring me to that conclusion. Yeah, I know it's not exactly life changing money but that's not the point. It's my money!!!!
The bus to get to the pharmacy is $2.50/ride. I can take five trips for $13.50. I passed a diner on the way to the pharmacy. Someone was having blueberry pancakes. I could have had those plus some potatoes, toast and coffee for that $13.50. I walked past a book and music store. I could find a book or cd for that $13.50.
Okay...okay...okay..we get it, it's about the money. NOOOOO...it really is the principle of the thing. If they're going to mess with me over a little cough medicine, imagine what they can do to someone in a life or death situation? What do you do if you need heart or cancer meds and you get that call saying there's a delay due to insurance? What do you do if the only way you can afford that medicine is through your insurance?
What was the windup of this story? I ran out of time and reluctantly purchased the meds. But before I did, I asked the pharmacist the question in the title: Pharmacist: I get asked that every day by someone. Who knows, but they probably do.
So what is it Humana? Is it true? Do profits come before the health of your customers? Are you messing with us because you can? For this answer, I have plenty of time. I can wait until tomorrow...or the next day...or the day after.
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