My First Hurdle!

Well, I just got the scare of my life. I sent in my prescriptions on Sept 29th to Aetna Home Delivery. Little did I know that it took them until the 17th of Oct. before they admit they got it. On the order form, I told them that snail mail takes a month to get to me, so please send Express Over-night. On Oct. 21st they mailed it.

I watched the mail for the medication, figuring it would be over-nighted and take 3 days. Yesterday, I called to get a tracking number, since it was not there yet. They informed me it went out by regular mail. I said what the hell! Do you realize you just killed me? Dr Valosik told me, that without my medication, I would be dead within 2 weeks. She told me, "Just go to your local pharmacy and get a weeks worth to hold you over."

I responded to her, A. There is no local pharmacy here, only the hospital pharmacy. B. 1 weeks worth won't do it, even 2 weeks worth may not do it. C. To get the hospital pharmacy to fill my prescriptions, I have to see a local doctor by going into the walk in clinic, pay the expense of an urgent care co-pay, and then a full co-pay for the medication, all because of THEIR mistake. (I saved a filled out copy of the order form on my computer).

I asked for a supervisor. She told me one is not available, and since I refuse to do what she has told me, she will transfer me to member services. She hung up on me, pretending to transfer me. I called right back, and got someone else, who connected me straight to a supervisor (not available huh?). By then I was in a dead panic, Crying. She calmed me down, told me to take a nap while she got permission to over-ride the rules, and she would get to me by noon Alaska.

She got permission for me to go to the walk-in clinic, and get a 14 day prescription filled, without having to pay for the co-pays. So, I got bundled up, called for a taxi (Cost $6 a stop), went out in 9 degree weather, with a migraine, to see the doctor and got my 14 day prescription filled. Apparently the supervisor cared enough to find out the name of the hospital, and let them know what was going on, and what I needed. She was a very nice person.

Richard does not have to go through this, since work covers him for free. We have the retirement coverage from the government, and we have to keep it, or lose it permanently. It is taken out of our retirement pay. For now, I am okay. But this incident really sunk home, just how scary and dangerous life up here can be. In November, I can change to a new insurance, during the government open season. I plan to! Then I can see a local doctor, without having the expensive co-pay of urgent care. Until that time, I will be a tad nervous. I hope all the medications get here faster than I think it will. Take care all!