I JUST CAN'T FUCKING WIN!!!!!!

[kevyn]

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*

Comments

[bluebear2.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm... What a drag.

Maybe you can sneak into Canada. We hear stories of people doing it but don't know how true it is.

Is there someone you can talk to that would maybe know more options that might be out there?

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

>Maybe you can sneak into Canada.

Been working on that a looooong time.

[pocketlama.livejournal.com]

Two things:
1st, get thee to a clinic that *can* prescribe. What's your public clinic up there? Anyway, that same fucking thing happened to me on two different meds (neither generic so imagine the cost), and the doctors just called the insurance people and told them I had tried everything else and needed these particular ones. It worked. Give it a shot!

2nd, do you know about Washington Prescription Drug Program? Every single person in Washington qualifies and it can cut the cost of drugs tremendously (in half if they're generic!). All you do is apply on line.

C) I asked about the pilot program for GAU/mental health and the one I'm going to is only King County. She said there *may* be others so do ask when you go to that clinic.

3a. Sorry this happened! It sucks donkey ass to be sure. I broke down in tears when it happened to me.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

>1st, get thee to a clinic that *can* prescribe.

Been working on it. Appointment Wednesday. Going to have to start out on a whole new medication.

>2nd, do you know about Washington Prescription Drug Program?

Yep, and done.

[baxil.livejournal.com]

Man. >:-p If it helps, maybe I could loan you my american health care is a piece of shit tag for a while.

Kady and I still haven't been able to get ahold of you by phone, but we do appreciate the updates.

[kevynjacobs.livejournal.com]

Good tag. Needs a decent userpic to go with it ;-)

Phone is disconnected for the time being. I'm trying to keep the electricity & internet paid at the least right now.