Conversation

People who don't have chronic illnesses may not realize just how much time and energy we use up, just navigating the convoluted health system in the U.S.

I have spent over a week trying to straighten out a snafu with just one medication. This is typical (names changed):

Me thru online portal: I need a new Rx sent to Joe's Specialty Pharmacy.

Nurse: we sent that 2 wks ago.

Me: okay, they didn't get it.

Nurse sends pic of new Rx they sent (as if to say "SEE")

Me: I see the problem. You sent it to regular Joe's Pharmacy. It has to be sent to Joe's Specialty Pharmacy.

Nurse: it says Joe's Pharmacy.

Me (steam rising from ears) It has to be SPECIALTY Pharmacy, you could even send it to their former name: Doug's Specialty Pharmacy. They'll get it.

New Nurse: Sorry for the inconvenience. Somehow it was sent to the regular Pharmacy. We have now sent it to the Specialty Pharmacy.

Joe's Specialty Pharmacy: we still don't have it. We can see on the computer where your Doc sent it first to regular Joe's, and then inexplicably to Jane's Specialty Pharmacy. But there is no process in place for us to get it transferred over here.

Me: you've got to be kidding me. Does this happen a lot?

JSP: oh yeah, esp. this year. It's been happening a lot.

do you want us to contact them and leave ridiculously explicit instructions?

Me: God, yes. I can't talk to them again.

Today, after nearly two weeks of back and forth, I was able to refill the medication, which won't arrive until four days from now.

And this is just one thing. I, and people like me, go through this crap all the time. It's exhausting.