I really feel sorry for Americans (or any global citizen for that matter) who doesn't have access to adequate health care. After months of never needing to even think about my health insurance coverage (other than bi-annual check-ups and the occasional visit to the dentist or eye doctor), I've been charging up doctor bills like it's going out of style. You already know all about this little mishap, but I haven't updated you on the status of it's backlash.
I spent much of my Sunday morning in a local emergency room. I woke up from Saturday's slumber with eyes swollen shut. Well, to be fair, one eye was completely swollen shut. I could see about 15% out of the other. I looked like I had just gotten into it with Roy Jones, Jr. or Floyd Mayweather or Ike Turner. I was a complete and utter mess.
After waiting for the idiotic taxi cab driver to arrive (I swear all those bitches are the devil) and a relatively short 50-minute wait at the hospital, I received a shot of steroids in the ass (yes, the nurse literally administered the shot in my left ass cheek) and several really strong pills that knocked me on my ass as soon as I got home. The doctors said I experienced an allergic reaction to the antibiotic ointment I was using to treat the wound over my eye. I'm happy to report that all is well now and that I'm almost back to being my normal self.
I took the prescriptions I was given and headed directly to my neighborhood CVS. There was an older gentleman waiting being helped at the pharmacy as I walked in. I walked up just in time to hear him say that his coverage had lapsed and that they could fill his prescription, but instead of paying the nominal fee he's used to paying, he'd have to pay over $200...for just one prescription. He just sat there not knowing what to do and presumably unable to afford his medicine without the insurance supplement. My heart went out to him.
It was my turn to be helped.
I stepped to the counter, swollen eyes and all and presented my prescriptions to be filled. The lady took my prescription benefit cards and the other paper work I had gotten from the doctor and went to the computer. She came back within a couple of minutes and said, "Mr. Jones, there seems to be a problem." I know I'm covered, so there is no problem. Only small obstacles.
She said my coverage ended in November and that without the coverage, I'd have to pay $67.00 instead of about $13 or so. I explained that I'm gainfully employed and that there must just be some sort of mix up. She said to talk to my benefits office on Monday and to come back with the proper information and that they'd re-bill the meds and I'd be good to go.
I called my HR office on Monday. I mistakenly presented the old insurance cards at the hospital and the pharmacy. I was told what I needed to do to correct both issues and did so. I went back to CVS this morning and received everything I needed to get well for the low, low price of $13.48.
I don't think that older gentleman was so lucky though. I don't think he had a benefits office to contact.
America really needs to do a better job of insuring that it's people -- young, old, rich and poor -- can stay healthy.
I spent much of my Sunday morning in a local emergency room. I woke up from Saturday's slumber with eyes swollen shut. Well, to be fair, one eye was completely swollen shut. I could see about 15% out of the other. I looked like I had just gotten into it with Roy Jones, Jr. or Floyd Mayweather or Ike Turner. I was a complete and utter mess.
After waiting for the idiotic taxi cab driver to arrive (I swear all those bitches are the devil) and a relatively short 50-minute wait at the hospital, I received a shot of steroids in the ass (yes, the nurse literally administered the shot in my left ass cheek) and several really strong pills that knocked me on my ass as soon as I got home. The doctors said I experienced an allergic reaction to the antibiotic ointment I was using to treat the wound over my eye. I'm happy to report that all is well now and that I'm almost back to being my normal self.
I took the prescriptions I was given and headed directly to my neighborhood CVS. There was an older gentleman waiting being helped at the pharmacy as I walked in. I walked up just in time to hear him say that his coverage had lapsed and that they could fill his prescription, but instead of paying the nominal fee he's used to paying, he'd have to pay over $200...for just one prescription. He just sat there not knowing what to do and presumably unable to afford his medicine without the insurance supplement. My heart went out to him.
It was my turn to be helped.
I stepped to the counter, swollen eyes and all and presented my prescriptions to be filled. The lady took my prescription benefit cards and the other paper work I had gotten from the doctor and went to the computer. She came back within a couple of minutes and said, "Mr. Jones, there seems to be a problem." I know I'm covered, so there is no problem. Only small obstacles.
She said my coverage ended in November and that without the coverage, I'd have to pay $67.00 instead of about $13 or so. I explained that I'm gainfully employed and that there must just be some sort of mix up. She said to talk to my benefits office on Monday and to come back with the proper information and that they'd re-bill the meds and I'd be good to go.
I called my HR office on Monday. I mistakenly presented the old insurance cards at the hospital and the pharmacy. I was told what I needed to do to correct both issues and did so. I went back to CVS this morning and received everything I needed to get well for the low, low price of $13.48.
I don't think that older gentleman was so lucky though. I don't think he had a benefits office to contact.
America really needs to do a better job of insuring that it's people -- young, old, rich and poor -- can stay healthy.
10 comments:
Well, me and you have already had this conversation :) But funny you should mention accidentally using your old insurance cards- I rarely need to use my insurance card and it's a good thing I remembered receiving another one in the mail. I had to dig it out (still in it's sealed envelope and all). Anyway, I paid a good 35.00 for some sinus medication and will probably spend more if I get the OTC meds the doctor prescribed. It's really ridiculous. Try to stay healthy everyone or go generic.
The lack of health care coverage through out the nation is outrageous. I am glad to hear that you are doing fine and well. Take care of yourself.
What, no pics of the swollen eyes?!?!? LOL
Get better kid...
Damn. That's a hard pill to swallow (no pun intended, well nevermind, it was intended). But anyway, aside from a few colds, viruses, and a mysterious bout of mono, my bill of health has been pretty clean. Every time, I've been sick though, I've had insurance to cover me from extreme costs in the way of doctor visits or medications.
Both my grandparents on my mom's side are not in their healthiest state, and they each take about 10 vital pills a day. I can't imagine what it would be like if they didn't have insurance.
Guess this is something I'll have to write Mr. Obama about.
I'd love to see what Obama's plan will be on regulating healthcare to make it more affordable for everyone.
If I feel a cold coming on, I use Zicam cold-remedy gel swabs. It definitely works for me.
So ridiculous. I try, whenever possibly to use as many natural remedies as I can because I hate taking medicine unless I absolutely have to. But that's a different story.
I have a friend w/a family member who is really sick and he DOES have insurance; and still has to pay $300 a pill for medicine he has to take. Ridiculous
Yeah, as much as I complain about the crazies who come to my pharmacy, it's the older people I feel sorry for the most. It SUCKS that they have to pay so much money for regular maintenance meds and then the Medicaid patients come in and pay $0 as they drive off in their '08 Escalade with 24s and shit.... **sigh** Amerikkka.
I might sound like a republican when I say this, but insurance is affordable for younger people. When I was unemployed and needed insurance, I was able to get it from Blue Cross Blue Shield for less than $70 a month. It wasn't the best coverage, but I was at least covered.
As for the older generation, I think that they should be universally covered for all necessary healthcare cost.
If I remember correctly, not long ago you're the one that spent $60 bucks on happy hour, yet you cry when it comes to spending nearly that amount on your health.
The issue is not providing medical services or the cost, it is finding the root causes of our ailments and provide mitigating solutions to those areas of concern. In this country, we have stress, depression, anxiety, bad eating habits, smoking, drinking, among other things that contribute to our own health problems. In Europe, you don't see these problems and they have universal healthcare and they're more educated about their health than Americans. We can learn much from their system of healthcare.
This is why I believe in universal healthcare but there is only one candidate speaking about it. Oh well, at least you had yours and was covered.
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