I'm having the worst day. :-(

Though, I don't have much room to be unhappy considering that a few DUers lost family members. Guess, I'm still upset about watching my friends house burn down Sunday - some of my stuff went with it but I'll worry about that later. There was very serious damage and it couldn't have happened at a worse time for them. It was awful - AWFUL! :cry:

Then, I put a down payment on a new car TWO WEEKS AGO and the dealership is giving me the run around. :mad::mad::mad:

If that isn't enough - today after leaving work early so I could get to the Kaiser Premanente phamacy before it closed - I found out that the medication I need is no longer covered by them. Rather than being charged the usual $5 it's going to cost me $268!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke:
Mother FUCKER!!!!!
:nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke::argh::nuke:

p.s. - Yes, I'm thankful for everything I have and that these problems are nothing compared with what others have to deal with.

:hug:

That is a lot to deal with.

Insurance companies suck. :grr:

And that's terrible about your friend's house. :(

that is in order for you now - because the one you just had did suck

n/t

Did you have to pay for the meds today? What are the possibilities that your doctor could prescribe a medication that is on the HMO's formulary? Also, if your doctor will not write a script for a drug on the formulary (or if there is not one that will do the same as the one you are taking), perhaps you could get the HMO to cover your drug via prior authorization.

Your doctor would need to call Kaiser's pharmacy benefits manager and talk to them about why the more expensive drug is needed versus one covered by the HMO.

Your doctor's office may be open on Friday. Try calling them and start from there. They may not know the drug is not covered by Kaiser.

As it turns out, my doctor is on holiday and won't be in until Monday. He wasn't around when I called in the refill. :shrug: I'll have to wait until Monday. Shouldn't patients be alerted to these changes? You'd think they'd sent something in the mail.

improve.

Car dealerships are the worst. I'm sure you're giving them hell. Unfortunately, they see a woman (well, some of them) and they think they can take advantage. Devilgrrl will say, 'homey don't play that!' I'm sure. Give 'em hell! I remember when I bought my first car actually, the guy was a real slimeball (reminded me of Larry from "Three's Company") and he even said, "I can see you in this car." Give me a break! I asked for an extra set of keys, and he actually pulled out $2 from his pocket and told me to go down the street and get a set made. Asshole!

You're right, those things suck. It could be worse.

I'm sorry for your friends. I'm sorry for you, getting screwed and whatnot. Sorry.

yourself deeply hugged.

RV, sending hugs via the internet

Life can be the pits sometimes.

Tell your doctor that your insurance won't cover your medication. Ask if the doctor can provide samples. I have the same problem with allergy meds, and thankfully the allergist gives me bags full of freebies from his pharmaceutical rep. Also, ask your insurance if they have a mail-order pharmacy that offers discount rates. Aetna does, and so do some other companies. You might also price-shop at at discount stores like Costco, or check drugstore.com online. Check with the pharmacist to see if there's a generic version of the drug; sometimes insurance companies drop name brand drugs once a generic becomes available. Or ask the doc to prescribe an alternative medication. Depending on your condition, there might be an alternative medicine treatment that could be worth trying.


Give your neighbors lots of emotional support. Tell them to write down and document every single thing that was in their house. If you've been in their place, you can offer to attest that they really owned the items they are claiming. We did this for a neighbor and helped them convince their insurer to up the ante. If they have any problems, tell them to complain to their state insurance commissioners office or to a local reporter, since insurers generally don't want bad press.

Here in San Diego, I know many people who lost homes in the recent wildfires, which burned 2,500 homes here. Many found that "full replacement value" policies weren't enough to cover the actual costs of new construction. If that's the case, the strategy is to jack up the value of the belongings lost as high as you can honestly do, then take that money and use it to rebuild the house. You can always get buy with second-hand furniture and fewer knick-knacks while you're starting over, as long as you've got a decent place to live.

Short term--tonight--tell them to contact the Salvation Army. Of all the relief agencies, everyone said Salvation Army was the best at doling out practical help right after a loss, such as clothes, blankets, and gift certicates for grocery stores or Home Depot. Another nice thing is to organize a surprise party for the family that lost their home, to get them started with basics they'll need while renting a new place.

I hope your situation--and theirs--improves. Things can only get better from here.