So today, the WA GAU medical coupon arrives. YAY! I can't use it to get counseling or mental health therapy, but at least I can use it to get my antidepressant prescription filled, right?
WRONG!
I haven't been able to refill my antidepressant meds ever since I lost my insurance. For most of the past year, I've been taking
Sertraline (the generic form of Zoloft), which is the #1 the most prescribed antidepressant in the U.S. I have some refills left on my prescription, which I figured would get me through while DSHS and WCPC work it out over who I will be getting prescriptions from in the future and how I will be getting my mental health therapy.
So I go to the pharmacy where my prescriptions are on file. Here's the exchange with the RiteAid pharmacist:
Me: Can I use this new medical coupon to fill my prescriptions that are already on file?
RiteAid: (brightly) Sure!
(takes coupon) Let me pull up your record.
(clickety clickety clickety)Uh-oh. Sorry, we can't fill this. Your insurance won't pay for Sertraline.
Me: WHAT??!?
RiteAid: (double checks) Sorry, no. It says they'll cover generic Wellbutrin, Prozac, blah blah blah ...
(reads off a list of antidepressant drugs, many which I have taken in the past and don't work for me)... but not Zoloft.
Me: But, but, but ...
(spluttering)... but it's a generic!
RiteAid: (sadly) I know. Let me check something.
(looks at some paperwork to see if there's something she missed)... Nope. Not covered. You can pay it out of pocket, if you like.
Me: How much?
RiteAid: $77.
Me: $77 FOR A GENERIC?!?! I can't afford that!
RiteAid: (helpfully) I can also fax your doctor, requesting a different prescription, if you'd like.
Me: (in rising panic) She can't prescribe for me right now. I'm not a student at the moment, so it's not allowed!
RiteAid: I'm sorry. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Me: (banging head on counter in frustration)...
*sigh*