06/12/2026
Ok...this is a bit of a rant (full disclosure).
My doc wants to reduce the dosage of one of my medications (I mean, I only take 2 to begin with...thank God!). I have 5 mg tablets right now that I have to cut in half, but he wants me to go to 2.5 mg tablets that I will cut in half.
Make note: I can't take a 5 mg tiny little tablet and cut it into fours as it would destroy the tablet and I would be trying to take crumbs of medication every day. Hold onto the picture.
So, the new order gets sent to my pharmacy and I hear nothing back from them. A week goes by, and I decide I better check in with them.
I am told my insurance denied the order. What???
So, I am finally slowing down and reaching out to request a redetermination for the lower dosage pills.
May I say after filling out the redetermination form online that.... how in the h*ll do these companies think people are going to be able to fill out the form, exactly as needed, before you can hit the 'submit' button, when there are...
> restrictions on "special characters" (commas???)
> you need your doc's fax number (really?? do you know every doctor's office fax number?)
> you need your member insurance number (which you can't tell if it's an "8" or "0" because the font is so small and the ink blurs it on the plastic card)
This is why I will never be able to retire from my work as a case manager. This is why my patients/clients get freaky when I say I am leaving town for a week vacay and they immediately have to note the day and hour I am returning.
This is why the need for advocates for people who can't do this themselves, figure it out, because it's damn frustrating and confusing even for a case manager, and let's not go there about --- well, just call them!! Really??
Can we talk about the stupid 'phone trees' that answer the phones for just about any company, doctor's office, pharmacy, etc etc etc?
OK, I'm done and I rest my case.
I will never retire because the system(s) of not only healthcare but just about everything has made it near impossible for vulnerable people to figure it out on their own and get the help and support they need and deserve.
Just a rant.
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