When you’re at the mercy of the insurance company and they are in denial…

At least they are into denying my prescription for no valid reason. I HATE being at the mercy of anyone let alone a prescription medicine. I take a daily prescription that helps me maintain some walking ability and gives me energy to take on the day. I’ve tried getting off it and the results are not desirable. I ran out yesterday so expecting to be in my wheelchair most of the time until this gets resolved. I feel sorry for so many who cannot or do not advocate for themselves. I have made about as many phone calls as I can make and now it’s the waiting game. I called the pharmacy to check the cash price – a mere $1,681.00 per month.

So that’s my frustration. I have good insurance but sometimes things happen. The person who issued the denial probably did not realize the big picture of how this affects the patient. Perhaps if the medication wasn’t so ridiculously expensive it wouldn’t be an issue. I have another medication that runs $65,000 a year. I bet they are tired of paying out the big bucks for one person and I don’t blame them. But I need my medicine. I keep telling myself maybe this is a sign I should stop taking it, too many roadblocks. I guess we’ll see in a few days.

Day 1: No I should not stop this medication. By no means is it a miracle drug but coming from someone who’s struggling to walk at all, any improvement is spectacular. Legs are not cooperating today. At least I don’t feel exhausted. The main thing you realize when you are confined to a wheelchair is the lack of independence. If I don’t have enough strength to stand or walk very long I will not be venturing out on my own. My car is not adapted and I cannot easily load and unload my scooter or wheelchair so…. I’ll stick with the meds and try to maintain some freedom.

I know this issue should be resolved soon but you never know. It does make me realize what most of us take for granted. We just assume things will proceed as normal and any interruption in our comfortable lives is a burden. I do have good insurance. Never had too much push back on coverage even with the expense of my conditions- CT scans, MRIs, specialists, expensive medication, custom wheelchair, and much more. So I wait and try to make the most of the next few days.

But what if I did not have good insurance? What if I was not able to advocate for myself or have someone who could advocate for me? What if I was alone and on a limited income? As challenging as life is for me right now I am aware how lucky I am to have help and the resources and means to get things that make life more comfortable. Not everyone is so lucky.

Be grateful for your health, the comforts that you have in life, the good things. And don’t forget the ones who don’t share the same comforts, who don’t have the same resources, and might need a little help. You never know, a little thing like getting a prescription filled might make a big difference in someone’s life today.