The Ol' Universe was rolling on the floor, clutching its universe-y innards, hee-hawing at the continuing shenanigans with Mrs. HM's medication.
Just when I was celebrating the successful procurement of my vital drug, in fact on the phone with The Pony arranging to drive over to Bill-Paying Town and pick it up that very afternoon... I got a call from the pharmacy.
"Hello? Is this Mrs. HM? I'm calling from YOUR CLINIC Family Care Pharmacy. Your NP asked me to give you a call about your medicine. It looks like your insurance won't cover this brand name drug. The cost will be $168. He wanted to make sure you knew that, to see if you still want it."
"Yes! I've been getting a 30-day supply, and it cost me $66.31. So I imagine this is for a 90-day supply. I normally wouldn't want that much, in case he might have to change it back to the 50mg. But with this, I could take two and it would be the same thing. So I'm fine with the $168. It's not a problem to get the 90. Especially since I have to drive 25 miles to get it. I'll be there this afternoon to pick it up."
"Oh. Well. We don't have it HERE. We'll have to get it. But we should have it tomorrow (Thursday) by noon."
"That will be fine! I'll be there to get it."
"We will call when it's ready. It will be a St. Louis phone number, just so you know. From our automated system."
"That's good to know. I'll be waiting for it."
So close, but yet so far! The Universe was dangling that beta blocker in front of me like a carrot on a stick. But at least I was six days closer to getting it.
THURSDAY
I started my morning routine early. It takes me three hours to do my unwrapping of legs, exercises, shower, leg pumps, and re-wrap. I wanted to have time for breakfast, and innernetting, and some laundry, and dish-washing. Then leave at 1:30 to pick up The Pony at 2:00, and go get my precious, long-awaited prescription. I had my ear on the phone, waiting for that pharmacy call to say it was ready.
I waited. A lot. Started to doubt The Universe once again. That merry prankster!
At 11:46, my phone rang. It was a St. Louis number. I answered, and it was the recording that my prescription was ready for pickup. YAAAAYYYYYYYY!
The Pony and I started our Errand Day with this pickup over in Bill-Paying Town. The pharmacy has a drive-thru window. Not the kind I prefer, that slides open and lets you talk face-to-face as they hand you the prescription. But one of those slide-out metal drawers that are a bit low for T-Hoe, with the worker hermetically sealed behind thick unbreakable glass.
The gal was very nice. She asked if I was sure I wanted the brand name. YES! She told me that there was only one bottle left at their supplier. And since they didn't have anybody else getting this drug from their pharmacy, they gave me the whole thing. Which was 100 tablets instead of 90. The cost would be $181.95. Was that okay? YES!
I tossed my debit card down into the drawer, and she sent out an electronic signing thingy for my signature with a fingertip. Then I sent it back, and got my precious DRUGS!
The gal said that when I'm almost out, to notify them so they can have a few days to get my refill. You can bet I will be doing that. I sure hope there's not a shortage at that time, or I might have to go through this all over again!
4 comments:
Yes! Always notify before you run out, it's what I do with my prescriptions. I get new one printed two or three days before I need them.
River,
I always use the automated system for refills as soon as the date is good on my prescriptions. It's usually three days before the date it was filled the previous month. Like September 5, if it was last filled on August 8. Even if I have 10 or so still left. Farmer H will take the last pill, and then go by the pharmacy to get his refill!
I am so glad! What a long process. My pharmacy didn't have my blood pressure pills - so instead of getting 50 (cut in half so 100) I got 15 - cut into haf so 30, and they owe me 35 (75) - but they should be here in 15 to 20 days...!
jj,
I wish you good luck in getting the rest of your meds on time!!! At least you should have enough to tide you over until their arrival. I'm glad I had the higher dosage still available, since I had just refilled them, and I didn't have to go without.
Dealing with getting vital medicine on time is always stressful. My mom used to get hers through the mail, and something always went wrong, and she had to make a bunch of phone calls. I won't get the 90 day supply through the mail. Even though the price is 1/6 cheaper, I can't rely on the mail, and especially not trust ne'er-do-wells who might rob it from my mailbox.
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