I can haz drugs nao?

[next_to_normal]

One of my classes this summer is on health care policy, and I hope it answers this question: "Why are insurance companies so dumb?"

To recap, I've been on Remicade since I went to the hospital in January. At first, it seemed like a miracle drug, because within two days of the infusion, I felt great and it was like I'd never been sick. The schedule is such that I started out going back after two weeks, then after four, and then it's supposed to be every eight weeks until further notice. When I went back after two weeks, everything was great. No symptoms, feeling like a regular human being again. The four-week stretch was a bit of a problem. I made it to three before I started having symptoms again. But again, as soon as I got the treatment, I was back to normal within a couple days.

The eight-week thing has thus far been impossible. I made it four weeks last time, and had to go in early because there was no way I would last another whole month. That time it took over a week before I bounced back, and I started having symptoms again four weeks after that. I still have another week and a half until my next appointment, and I've been trying to get it moved up so that I'm not in pain until next Friday, but the insurance company is dragging its feet getting my prescription refilled. (I have to go through a specialty pharmacy and get prior approval because it's so expensive.)

Don't they realize this is exactly how I ended up going to the hospital in the first place? I was supposed to start on this medicine, but because the insurance took their good old time getting it approved, two weeks later I still had no medicine and was puking my guts up pretty much every day. I would not like to repeat that experience, so please to be giving me drugs now, k?

In other news, I went over a friend's house to watch Glee last night. It was my first time, so, people who watch it - is it always like that? Is that a typical episode? Because I remain unimpressed and can't figure out why it's such a sensation (except, of course, that it's got big flashy musical numbers, but WTF, watch an ACTUAL musical, why don't you?). Afterward, my friend said to me, "You want to watch the whole thing now, don't you?" and I was like, "Um, maybe if NPH were in every episode..." I remain puzzled as to how this happened. I mean, this is the friend who introduced me to Buffy, Angel, and Veronica Mars. She MUST have good taste. And yet, not only did we watch Glee, she also subjected me to Cougar Town. I don't understand.

Comments

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Insurance companies are stupid-heads. I'm having my own issues cause the current meds my gastrologist wants me on are upwards of $500 w/o insurance (since I hit my annual cap). I've spent the past week going between my doctor and the pharmacy to try to find a cheaper alternative (that'll still be effective in fixing the problem).

You have my utmost sympathy. *cuddles*

Re: Glee. Heh. Last night was actually one of the better episodes. I've found Glee is best taken as a no-substance sugary confection of a show. I'm mainly watching for the musical numbers because they're sometimes awesome. Oh, and Sue. I love Sue. She didn't have a big part in last night's episode, so you didn't really get to see her awesomeness.

But I think I'd prefer to watch an All Sue show. The rest of the cast doesn't interest me much anymore.

[next_to_normal]

Ugh, yeah, at least my insurance is still paying for mine. Eventually. *cuddles with you* Of course, now that I've been to class, my professor has convinced me that my insurance company is trying to kill me, so... :\

Yeah, I was promised an awesome Sue, and didn't get much. I don't think it was appealing enough to try to find a Sue-ier episode, though.

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

I did like NPH (who is, as you know, openly gay) hitting on Sue (whose actress is an out lesbian). That just...amused me. :)

[next_to_normal]

Hahaha, I didn't make that connection, but I did notice that NPH seems to play womanizers a lot and thought it was kinda funny. :)

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry you're not doing well again. This is the reason people hate insurance companies...

I've watched Glee a few times, but it never sucked me in. I do like the musical numbers, but have no desire to sit through the rest of the show every week just for the singing finale. I did almost watch last night because of NPH, but didn't. I'm assuming he was very good?

[next_to_normal]

It's gotten to be a rather predictable cycle now. They're going to try upping the dosage next time.

NPH was okay, but you weren't missing much. If you want musical NPH, there are better performances out there, lol. He did a duet with the teacher guy, which was good, though somewhat inappropriate as an audition for Les Miserables.

[beloved-77.livejournal.com]

I was a bit cautious with Glee when the media first started saying what a hit it was...before it ever premiered. :-P I watched a few episodes at the very beginning, but it was a bit too contrived for me. I did stumble into it again a few weeks ago, and it's watchable, but not a sensation for me. But there are some funny parts.

[next_to_normal]

Yeah... I find that the media often exaggerates such things. I felt the same way about all the Heroes hype (and was rather bitter when it went south after the first season), so I'm wary of getting snookered again.

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

{{{{*Hugs*}}}}


This is why I want a single-payer health-care system...

[next_to_normal]

Thanks!

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I do not understand why this country can't get it through its head that PREVENTATIVE CARE IS A GOOD THING. Spending some money now in small doses is so much better than spending lots of money later--not to mention that it makes people's lives easier.

*hugs*

I hope the stupid insurance company comes through for you.

I need to watch this week's episode because of my NPH love, but yes: Glee is a disappointment. And I'm all about watching real musicals instead. I feel kind of clairvoyant! I knew you wouldn't like it!

Also, I don't think I've mentioned this before--but I love you using my "unironic musical love" tag. Love it.

[next_to_normal]

Heh, we actually talked about this in class. The problem is that there are NO incentives for people to stay healthy. And since preventive care is a long-term investment on the insurance company's part, they're not inclined to spend money to keep you healthy, either, because people are so transient that they often don't keep the same insurance for more than five years. So the money they spend on preventive care is going toward some OTHER insurance company not having to spend money later, which means that all insurances shoot for the lowest common denominator and reduce their short term costs as much as possible.

I did hear from them today that they are going to call the doctor to schedule a delivery date, but since the doctor hasn't called to let me know when that is, I'm guessing I won't be scheduling an appointment until next week.

And hee! I loved your "unironic musical love" tag so much I stoled it! :) I like witty tags.

[urania-calliope.livejournal.com]

:( I'm sorry about the sickness. *hugs*

[next_to_normal]

Thanks. It's not as bad as it was in the fall, but still meh. :-P

[alwaysjbj.livejournal.com]

I watched five minutes of Glee because everyone raved about how good it was...it was five minutes too long! I really don't get what people see in it.

[next_to_normal]

Eh, I can see why people like it. It's a feel-good show with singing and dancing. It's just not very interesting - but then again, the shows I think are mind-numbingly boring (like all the CSIs) are the most popular shows on television. Most people don't like TV that makes them think...

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're going through this!! I hope the insurance and the doctor come through for you really soon. *huggles*

As for Glee the only episode I've seen had Kristin Chenoweth in it. I loved her but I don't get the Glee thing. At all.

[next_to_normal]

Thanks. And yeah, the thing about Glee is that I LOVE musical theater, and so they have these amazing guest stars that make me want to watch... except that's the only part I like.

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

*understands*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

I think i'm the only one on your flist that actually *adores* the show... :P hehe

and as someone else said, it's meant to be taken lightly, tongue-in-cheek... its deliberately exaggerated characterizations, etc... and of course the point is the amazing musical numbers... i have to admit, though, the ep you saw was a bit of a disappointment, despite NPH... i really was disappointed because i thought, show is usually good... NPH is usually awesome... this should be EPIC!!

And, um.. not so much :(

And there wasn't much in the way of actual plot development in that ep, besides the whole "Rachel's mom" angle...

If you could muster up the desire to try a different ep, I'd actually recommend the two in a row right before the last one... there's loads of emotion and character development and such in those ;)

and yeah, insurance companies are buttheads :( i worked for one for a year, and it's all about making as much money as possible and paying out as little as possible in claims :( it sucks :( *Hugs* sorry you're going through such a hard time with them :(

[next_to_normal]

Heh, well, you're not alone, because my professor and several classmates are also huge Glee fans, and we actually were talking about it in class on Monday.

The thing I don't get about the insurance company is that it's not a question of paying - they're obviously going to pay, since they've paid for the last four treatments. They just drag their feet on getting the approval, and I don't even know why. Don't they realize that costs them more money when I get sicker and need MORE treatment?

[sevvy-o.livejournal.com]

Insurance companies suck. I'm sorry you're in pain. =(

Hahaha I love Glee because of its ridiculousness and also to see the occasional Broadway guest stars. I think it has its cute moments, and I feel like I haven't watched a high school show in forever. I didn't see the NPH episode yet though, hopefully tonight!

[next_to_normal]

Thanks. :)

I am very inconsistent about my high school shows. I think I like them when the characters are in high school, but it's not just about high school, you know? So I like BtVS, VM, and FNL, but other more typical high school shows make me cringe.