Medical Mafia

Ok … so first of all … for any of you may be visiting my site … I don’t usually use my blog for venting nor do I usually talk about my arthritis but I just feel the need to get this off of my chest so for today this site is all about me …

I met with my P.A. today (thank God, seriously, praise the Lord, that my arthritis has been good so I’m on standard managed care and meet occasionally with the Dr. and then the P.A.). Some background on standard prescription medications and managing (yes, managing) all that goes into taking medicine every day. Well, typically, at least for the past 18 years of my arthritis, I’ve had Dr.s that have prescribed a course of medication, gotten letters of medical necessity written and sent to insurance companies and then the medication is usually approved for one year for insurance. Then the prescription is sent to the pharmacy and you get it filled monthly, as needed. It’s usually only a hassle once a year to coordinate the insurance coverage. When initially on the medication, the Dr. monitors your blood and progress on it during that year and evaluates appropriate continuation … simple enough. Sooooo, to begin … I’ve never had any adverse reactions to any of the medications I’ve taken. I’ve been on the current combo. for about 5 years and taken the one of most concern for probably about 10 years combined.

So … the past 3 months I’ve had to get various prescription renewals for different meds. so each month, I have to call the pharmacy and wait for the appropriate approval internally with the Dr. office. A couple of weeks ago, I called and asked for a year renewal and they told me I’d have to talk with the P.A. when I came in for my appointment. So, I simply asked fully expecting her to say, “Of course, that makes sense” but nooooooo ….

I had a debate with her as to who was responsible for my care because they require that you go into their office for an appointment every 3 months in order to renew your medication … such a sham! If it’s meds I’ve been on for a long time … if I were to have a reaction … don’t you think I’d have had it by now (#1) and (#2) I’d be the first to call and come in knowing something is up!?!? Such a lack of trust.

They evidently think people would just come in once a year if they didn’t have to for meds … well … I ask her for statistics of people with failed test results after the amount of time I’ve been on them … and research to prove that testing is needed so frequently. She doesn’t have it. I’ve certainly been on the meds long enough to show stability!!! I also totally agree with frequent testing when on a new medication and complied with that for many years. So, now I come in just to get blood drawn? To hear, “Yep, you’re good.” Seems like an expensive visit just to check my blood? I mentioned going to a blood draw facility and I think she was really thrown off. Is it really about the blood test or is it about seeing patients?

Dr.s don’t take ANY initiative or proactive research on your care yet they expect you to be submissive when it comes to their terms … easy money in their system when the patient is feeling fine! We are required to manage our own care by virtue of lack of initiative on Dr.s … most every appointment is the only time they look at your chart … half the time they are late and read the entire thing to you when they get there.

THEN … she was only going to give me one month renewal of something (the one that I’ve been on for almost 20 years!!!) after telling me she’d fix it and give me 4 but that was the best she would do. She’s seriously doing math for me to show that her prescription should last me plenty of time. I’m looking at her like she’s crazy and she says, “What’s wrong?” I tell her … “Do you really think I’m going to fill a prescription if I don’t need it? Why would I do that? Do you think I enjoy being on this stuff?” (I’m practically in tears by now) I continue “Most people don’t even have to take stuff every day let alone have to coordinate prescription renewals every month … do you think I like being reminded of how much of a pain all of this is (physically and emotionally)! It takes a lot of time to do this stuff and I don’t appreciate it being more difficult than it already is. I use to mail order so I wouldn’t even have to even go to the pharmacy.” She switched it to 4 (probably out of fear of my impending meltdown). (*note … when she did the math … it was wrong)

Drives me batty though!!! Does it cost her any more to prescribe renewals? No! It has nothing to do with it. It’s just medical mafia I tell you medical mafia … in it for the money over the care. No trust, either … wow … do I look like a drug dealer? … yeah … that’s it … my new job! I’m stockpiling for when all of my arthritic friends need a ‘fix’. And to think I’ve been sending my resume out? Why didn’t I think of that option?

Ok, I feel better now. Thanks for listening.