I went back to the doctor today, and he said I definitely don't have pneumonia (YEEEAAAHH!) - but for some reason my lung capacity is equal to that of an asthmatic Octogenarian woman with one lung. Basically, this means if Carol Channing and I were in a foot race, Ms. Channing would totally smoke me ...
On your mark ... get set ... GO!
I must say, I am grateful to have health insurance - especially since most people who work in the restaurant industry do not. In fact, I am now the ONLY person with health insurance at my restaurant, which I made sure was put into my contract.
So I'm happy to only have to pay $30 when I visit my doctor. But unfortunately, instead of just immediately sending me to a Lung Specialist, my doctor is forced to do blood work, heart tests, blah blah blah - because the insurance company won't pay for an expert until my doctor does all the cheap tests first.
The other (major) problem with my insurance is that I have ZERO prescription drug coverage - so I pay retail for everything my doctor prescribes. This morning when I huffed and puffed my way into CVS and handed my prescription to the Pharmacist, she kindly informed me that it was going to cost $260 (for a one-month supply) - which is more than my total net worth at the moment.
But the Pharmacist did give me some good advice - she told me to go to Advair.com and see what kind of special offers they might have. And lo and behold, they had a "Get Your First Prescription Free" offer, which I printed out. When I returned to CVS, my cost for the Advair was exactly $0 - which is well within my budgetary guidelines at the moment.
Thanks to everyone on Twitter who sent me links for prescription assistance and/or lower-cost alternatives. I go back to the doctor AGAIN on Monday to get test results, etc.
One of these days I hope to be able to beat Carol Channing in the 50-Yard Dash...
UPDATE: My Doctor's office just called and said they have a bunch of free Symbicort samples that I might be able to use when I run out of Advair. "Might" my ass - SIGN ME UP!!! Free Drugs = Awesome.
whew!!!! good news. And you're going to lap Carol, pick her up, toss her over your back and keep on going.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for the free first month! Hope you find a way to get that at a price you can afford. That's way too much! Good luck with all this and feel better so you can out-walk Carol!
ReplyDeleteNow that you know you'll live, find out how to work the DVR. I can do it and could tell you what to do on the phone just like I do for my mother. I'll just have to get online and see a remote like yours and go from there.
Love you! Love your hair! xoxoxoxoxox
Dude
ReplyDeleteWatch out Advair is like the crack of asthmatic drugs- first hit is free and then you are hooked.
Seriously, though- I take the stuff and its $320 at my pharmacy.
Thought about you all today- could you have asthma??? and nothing more nefarious? Also there is a drug combo that is similar to Advair that is way cheaper... just in case you form a habit with the stuff.
nn
$260 dollars!!! Hell, I would have said to the doctor "How about $10 for the drugs and I show you a good time!!!"
ReplyDelete$260? That's not cute
ReplyDeleteI have found that when one is underinsured (no rx coverage) the best thing to do is be up front with the Dr's office... they often have such samples that they only offer up in those cases. Also, here in Houston we have Legacy Community Health Services, who will bill your insurance for anything it will cover, and then prcoess the rest through their "pay as you can" criteria. I wonder if Astoria has such a FABULOUS organization! You have just made all of my painful days in high heel and hot wigs seem worthwhile!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am thrilled that you don't have pneumonia! But not thrilled that your Advair is so expensive. That really sucks.
ReplyDeleteDid the doctor indicate whether this is a permanent or temporary condition? Zombie Mom is right, the purple disk becomes necessary, with a quickness. Mr. Clairol uses it and if he misses a day, he call tell right away.
Glad you are getting some answers. Hope you can get some Rx help as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you're taking advantage of all the free and discounted offers. Hope you're feeling better soon!
ReplyDelete