While the Obama administration is pushing for universal healthcare, I was gasping at a recent pharmacy visit. In an attempt to trim my budget, I decided to fill my prescription at Target instead of the small chain pharmacy I used in the past. Within thirty minutes my order was ready. Expecting to pay the typical $20 - $25, the signature pad read, “$50.00” “Fifty dollars!?!?,” I exclaimed. I said it again in pure shock. I’m sure the folks behind me heard as well as the pharmacist standing six feet away.
The customer service rep retrieved the handy ‘info about your medicine’ sheet and pointed out that if I didn’t have health insurance, the prescription would have cost $270. My first thought was that I would have left if right there for the next customer. As I paid for my prescription, I though about all the folks without health insurance and those with downright inadequate coverage. What did they do? Skip paying ConEd and live in the dark to pay for much-needed medicine? As for folks on fixed income, particularly the elderly, how did they manage?
Years ago I interviewed a therapist and something she said remained in the archives of my mind. “In this country, we treat illness. If we focused on wellness, we would eliminate a lot of illnesses.” Looking me directly in my eye, more frequently, my physician asks me if I need anything. If I let him, he would be my licensed pusher. I don’t need prescription for anything unnecessary and sometimes the ‘necessary’ can be treated, or rather prevented with a lifestyle change hence, wellness.
Later that day, I mentioned my hefty prescription cost to a friend who then stated that her husband had the same medical condition. His prescription was $300 before insurance. Despite the final cost, he decline at his wife’s insistence that he used natural remedies, which in his case worked. Since I paid for my medicine already, I intended to use every single drop – even if I had to give some to others!
I don’t if universal healthcare is the solution but as a paying small fortunes to treat illnesses isn’t it either… Your thoughts?
Lata Lovelies,
-Betsy “Baller” Ice
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3 comments:
Medical costs are out of control!! My son has a seizure disorder, so I have no choice but to give him medicine for it. One month I couldn't do the mail in option and had to go to the local pharmacy. I was shocked when I went to pick it up and the cost - with my insurance - was $250! For 1 month. And I have good coverage. I asked if they forgot to run it through my insurance and they were sure... The pharmacist felt so bad for me that he pretended I transfered the presciption over from another store and gave me $25 off. But i still had to pay $225. CRAZY!!
Just went to a Sports Medicine Specialist last month, and he told me I needed Physical Therapy for a minor, not even visible on the X-ray, sprain. My insurance covers it, but only after I satisfy a $750 deductible. Uhhhmmm...Yeah. Won't be doin' that. Escpecially for a minor injury. Have you ever seen "Sicko" by Michael Moore? It's a great, eye opening documentary about the American Healthcare system. Check it out.
Peace...
Jay3Arr
I live in Paris and was flabbergasted when I ran out of medicine. I literally skipped out on it for like a week b/c I didn't know what to do and didn't have health insurance. I asked a friend what to do and he told me to go to a local pharmacy and tell them I was there on vacation and if they could fill it up. I went, presented my empty pill bottle, and was given a 30 day supply for 8 Euro which is about $11. I've been taking this medicine for 15 yrs and have had different points of not having insurance and having to pay $200 for 30 days. What happened in France literally took my breathe away. America needs to get it together, immediately.
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