Diabetic Recipes
healthwarehouse
Since I order new prescriptions usually once a month, I use an online mail order service. It makes it really easy to just type in some numbers and hit enter a few times to have my prescriptions mailed wherever I am at the time. This morning I went to refill my strips prescription (I'm on my last box so I'm a little behind). I know I've tested a lot more than normal lately and my prescription is on the low side (my fault for not updating it), but when I went to refill I double checked the dates to make sure I wasn't going to need to fax in a new prescription. I was fine, I could have ordered them two days ago if I wanted to.
So I typed it in, hit enter, everything was good. Except it wouldn't let me order. There were still refills left. The date was good. I was on the right account and checking the right prescriptions. I called the company and sat on hold about fifteen minutes before getting anywhere. The customer support technician tried it twice. And twice told me I couldn't order these prescriptions. Of course, I'm thinking that I'm on my last box and I'm quickly running out. I can feel my blood pressure rising. This is my health. I shouldn't even have a quota on how soon I can reorder.
Finally, the technician puts it in after pulling some strings and now my prescriptions are on their way. I just can't help wonder about prescriptions though. Do the insurance companies do this kind of thing on purpose just to mess with us? We're already paying hundreds of dollars in co-pays on both prescriptions and doctors visits. Why should we be put through the hassle of prescriptions? Daily, we live with this disease. You would think that someone would make it easier on us to manage the items we need.
In a dream world, I would be able to order as many strips or bottles of insulin or glucagon kits as I wanted in any time frame. I wouldn't pay thousands of dollars every year. I understand these things cost money, but that much money just seems extreme. I would have people call and remind me that I'm running out (even when I've used more than normal, somehow they would just know). Someone else would remember to get the prescription from the doctor and mail it in. Someone else would pick up the package when they send it to the post office instead of my actual house. Bottom line, my dream world means I never have to deal with the hassles of ordering prescriptions or keeping up with prescriptions again.
And don't even get me started on the hassles of insurance companies.
It sounds more likely that there was an error on the Web page from which the order should have been placed, or that they were out of stock at the warehouse (and waiting a delivery). The agent on the phone uses the same Web application you do, sometimes even with the same interface. When there is an error in the application, the agent has to let the IT department know so it can be fixed, and also has to get someone to put in the order manually.
If your brand of strips are on backorder, and you need them sooner than the company expects to get them back in stock, and it's sufficiently urgent, then either they have to call the manufacturer to get an emergency shipment, or they have to find another source for those strips.
I don't believe that this was deliberate sabotage by your insurance company.
When I first found out I was diabetic, My parents had amazing insurance. They had a diabetic specilist that my mom was able to get ahold of real easily and all supplies were free and they mailed you a card every 3 months asking if you need more supplies and you mail it back and the supplies would arrive at your house in a short time. Then my mom's work switched insurance companies. I now just dream of having a job that has that insurance company.
I get frustated with my insurance company sometimes. They have a limit on the amount of test strips I can get each month. I sometimes have to buy a box of test strips out of pocket. Don't insurance companies know how important it is for diabetics to test their blood sugar regularly.
I am over 65 so have Medicare, and I do have someone who reminds me to order strips. You have to have a prescription from your medical provider that specifies how often you test. At first mine said that I test 3 times per day I am type 2), and I didn't get enough strips. When I ordered my first refill I told them I test 5 to 6 times per day, and they contacted my provider and got a prescription for more. I do agree that the insurance companies jerk people around. I take other meds that are not on my prescription plan's preferred list, and it takes lots of hassles to get them approved.
Well obviously it wasn't actual sabatoge, but it sure as heck can feel like it a lot of the time! I hate being an adult, wasn;t it nice when your parents dealt with all the insurance information. ;)
Thanks for all the comments.
Try Medicaid some time. OMGAWD it sucks! I'm only supposed to test twice a day and if I try ordering 1-3 days earlier, i get the old "but you're not out yet" speech. Disability sucks enough without having extra complications but it's so hard to find drs and specialists that are willing to help when you're on medicaid. Sometimes life just sucks. Hoping something improves soon. Shane
My name is Lalit and I work for HealthWarehouse. I noticed you had a picture of our test strips in your post. Just wanted to confirm nobody from our organization asked you for a prescription when you were ordering test strips.
We don't require a prescription for test strips in any state, so wanted to make sure we didn't make a mistake on your order. If we did, please let me know and we will be sure to resolve it.
I also wanted to thank you for your comments describing your ideal situation. You're feedback is invaluable and confirms many of the comments we are hearing from our customers as well.
Thanks again!
Hi Lalit-- no this was not an issue with Health Warehouse. I simply used the picture from your flickr photos. Thanks!