Random Comments (RH)

[The Troll]

That is what Obama has done since he has taken the oath of office.

  If you don't know that Hawk, you need to turn in your dead brain.    But to help you out, Obama kept us from going into a Republican Hoover type depression.  You should know that.   

  But you voted for Senile John McCain and  the brain trust for the Tea Party Sarah Palin.        You're just like Sarah, Skippy.   

[Palehorse]

Are they bound by the law? Unless the person lied about it being required by the new healthcare law, who is to blame?

They are indeed bound by the laws, when someone holds them accountable. Are you holding them accountable?  Step 1-They bounce you around hoping you'll get frustrated and hang up. Step 2- they tell you it isn't available in the dosage prescribed and that you have to get a new prescription. Step 3 - when you bitch about step 2, blame it on governmental regulations. (99% of those complaining won't look any further than that).

Insurers first began using similar "strategies" in denying coverage automatically for every single bill that was submitted to them. Delaying payment meant drawing interest on the "capital" (premiums) they had invested. . .

Oldest scam in the book, and it still works today.

[me]

Hum, interesting.  I can see now who is going to get the blame when things start getting rough due to the HCB.  It will either be the doctors or the ins companies. 

[Palehorse]

Hum, interesting.  I can see now who is going to get the blame when things start getting rough due to the HCB.  It will either be the doctors or the ins companies.

Don't spin this into some political propaganda BS. The above scenario is very real and more common than you would believe.

In fact I use the very same pharmacy, Express Scripts, and I have encountered this bullshit with them myself already. It took me going to the manager to stop the bullshit.

[followsthewolf]

Ditto.

[Anne]

They are indeed bound by the laws, when someone holds them accountable. Are you holding them accountable?  Step 1-They bounce you around hoping you'll get frustrated and hang up. Step 2- they tell you it isn't available in the dosage prescribed and that you have to get a new prescription. Step 3 - when you bitch about step 2, blame it on governmental regulations. (99% of those complaining won't look any further than that).

Insurers first began using similar "strategies" in denying coverage automatically for every single bill that was submitted to them. Delaying payment meant drawing interest on the "capital" (premiums) they had invested. . .

Oldest scam in the book, and it still works today.

I do blame them for the bouncing from one person to another, I never had that problem with Medco. I know that Lipitor comes in the strengths I listed, because I went over that with my doctor when I first began taking it years ago. They never said they wouldn't pay for it, just that it had to have preauthorization for it. What pissed me off (besides being shuffled around) was that taking three pills to get the correct dosage was never a problem before the new healthcare bill.  That is a direct result of the healthcare bill, and I do blame the government for that. I have never had a medication questioned before.

[Anne]

Anne, I know how you feel about trying to get an answer while being transferred from person to person, or worse, having to deal with automated replies and end up back where you started with no answer

Maybe I'm reading what you wrote wrong, but it may be that the drug company that makes the generic equivalent of Lipitor makes the strengths most often prescribed. You did the right thing by contacting your doctor for a new prescription.

As for the "new law" you say was mentioned to you, I don't know specifics but do remember reading that generic options (if available) must be considered in writing prescriptions because most if not all name brands are more expensive, some prohibitively so.

Example: The name brand version of one of my medications (for glaucoma) is a teeny tiny little bottle which costs about $85.00. The generic equivalent is about $15.00.

Yes, getting bounced around really irritated me. I have been taking the generic drug for Lipitor since it came out last year, so that isn[t a problem and as far as I can find out Lipitor only came in the same strengths as the generic. Our drug plan requires you to take generics, if available, unless the doctor has a reason for not prescribing one. What makes me mad is that I take less than the maximum dose but they are worried about the number of tablets it takes to get thae prescribed dosage.

[followsthewolf]

I have two accounts with Express Scripts.

Each covers different prescriptions.

For years I have had the problems that you outlined (in one form or another) and could never get one representative that could access both accounts.

I have always had to coordinate the scripts that my doctors sent to Express Scripts in order to straighten out the orders.

It is not the result of the new government healthcare regs.

It is Express Scripts and their system of servicing accounts.

One of my healthcare companies was, at one time, affiliated with Medco and changed to Express Scripts.

[Anne]

We get our meds from the  MBT via Express Scripts, which merged with or bought out Medco last year. I never got bounced around with Medco and a lot of my friends have had trouble (clerical) with Express Scripts since the first of the year. The issue with the number of pills, I was told, is due to the new healthcare law. Somehow our medications are linked to Medicare even though our prescription coverage is not through Medicare. It never was linked like that before Jan 1.

[Palehorse]

We get our meds from the  MBT via Express Scripts, which merged with or bought out Medco last year. I never got bounced around with Medco and a lot of my friends have had trouble (clerical) with Express Scripts since the first of the year. The issue with the number of pills, I was told, is due to the new healthcare law. Somehow our medications are linked to Medicare even though our prescription coverage is not through Medicare. It never was linked like that before Jan 1.

Your age wouldn't have anything to do with that???

[followsthewolf]

We get our meds from the  MBT via Express Scripts, which merged with or bought out Medco last year. I never got bounced around with Medco and a lot of my friends have had trouble (clerical) with Express Scripts since the first of the year. The issue with the number of pills, I was told, is due to the new healthcare law. Somehow our medications are linked to Medicare even though our prescription coverage is not through Medicare. It never was linked like that before Jan 1.

Palehorse may have a point there.

Two things changed for me:

1. I turned 66

2. Medco was sold to Express Scripts.

All I know is that Express Scripts has NEVER gotten my prescriptions right in the last 7 years.

[Anne]

Your age wouldn't have anything to do with that???

Well, I have been on Medicare for almost 2 years now and my husband has been on for almost 4 years and we have never had our meds linked to Medicare before, at least we haven't been told that.

This isn't important but I think it is just odd. My friend who taught in Ohio got her medicine through Express Scripts until last month and now she gets them from Medco.

[Palehorse]

Well, I have been on Medicare for almost 2 years now and my husband has been on for almost 4 years and we have never had our meds linked to Medicare before, at least we haven't been told that.

This isn't important but I think it is just odd. My friend who taught in Ohio got her medicine through Express Scripts until last month and now she gets them from Medco.

I now get mailings from both Medco and Express Scripts. Confusing as hell to say the least. They cannot get their own business straight. . . 

[me]

What's the problem with using a local pharmacy and not having to deal with those kinds of problems?

[Henry Hawk]

That is my thought too.  My family and I have had prescriptions for years.  We go to CVS and pick them up.  DONE.