nanamonster
95491
3752
124
I went time update my insurance info at my pharmacy, I've been paying copay on my meds which my secondary should be picking up (only $15 without secondary so who fucking cares).
I had to wait behind this elderly guy that was also having insurance issues. I over heard his insurance stopped covering his meds. It was gonna cost him $275 for 3 months of meds now. His response after everything was "so my only other option is to die then". That hit me like a ton of bricks hearing that (can't imagine how he felt). He started crying and I wished so hard I was more financially stable to help him out. I got some saved for emergencies if I end up in his position but it was fucking murder to not help. I wanted to help so fucking bad and now I'm kicking my fucking as a bit for not.
Still silver lining. He managed to get 1 month at a 3rd of the cost it sounded like and just needed that time to set up something to help him out.
I fucking hate that you could die in this corrupt country for simply being cucked by the insurance. I wish the ceo's step on rusty nails in both life and the after life. I wish there an after life for them to suffer as much as they make others suffer.
Rant fucking over.
Edit: Most viral! Thanks, all I ask for is to help each other out when you can.
CidColetti
Said this before and I'll say it again. I work for the largest private insurance company in the country its fucking time to stop this shit.
TheSeaRunt
My grandmas medication costs her $600 a month. It is asinine.
SuperVillainWithAHeartOfGold
I work for big pharma and all they do is talk about how much they care about patients, but their actions say the exact opposite
Trickyt
Hi, I live in AUSTRALIA and am 68 years old with a heart condition. We have a scheme here where meds cost $5.60 a month for any drug.
Woolencadavers
You need universal health care. Big pharma is not your problem. In Europe if I'm insured, great, if not, it's still covered.
Polymathena
Health Care for people, not for profit.
DaddySchlongleg
If the USA isn't gonna get healthcare for all, the least the govt could do is regulate the shit out of meds and procedure costs
activeracer28
My pharmacist has told me that this happens daily. It's truly heartbreaking trying to help people who need medicine to survive but are poor.
lddiaz
Worked for both, this boils down to the lobbyists bribing the politicians. Stop the lobbying, elect decent humans, regulation will happen.
SpaceMarineWithAnUrgeToPurge
violetbob
My ass is going to suffer in the military for as long as possible to ensure my husband & babies have the medical services they need for free
violetbob
It's a benefit I can't afford to lose with my husband's heart problem.
TurkeyBaron
bUt sInGlE-pAyEr Is sOcIaLiSm!!
purepoisonjigs9
My insurance is billed 9K per dose 6 x per year for one drug I get post cancer. I pay 6K up front every Jan 3. Option 2 die. We need reform.
Compound515
My wife had back pain last week. She saw her family doctor, got scheduled with a specialist and picked up some meds today, phew Canada.
Superchief86
I don't understand how you have insurance that still can just opt not to cover you. What the fuck do you pay for then?
StigsMilwaukeeCousin
Its against the law not to.
RedLanternGrodd
Wife just got kicked off her. They want $120 for generic. We cried a lot yesterday.
mapalapalas
You shouldn't have to have an "emergency fund" just in case your insurance doesn't cover something. I dont understand health care in America
StigsMilwaukeeCousin
Easy, just like everything else here, it is designed to simply separate the most money, from the most people.
Mrw1cked
What's the big problem? They just take a fuck load of your money and then tell you to fuck off when they should rightfully cover shit.
Mrw1cked
Criminal? Naw, it's capitalism so it's actually a really good thing. Someday you'll see when it starts trickling
majinrat
im not sure we even get the piss anymore from that trickle down. probably down to the smell only.
stormstereo
Your insurance companies are the real "Death Panels". Vote only for candidates who want universal health care/M4A!
Hibs06
I’m still shocked this hasn’t been a mass shooting yet. Someone who’s been denied and will now die having a, “fuck it” moment...
Hibs06
And shooting up an insurance HQ office.
nanamonster
Same thought. I wouldn't want it to be the pharmacy but a ceo board room? Oh no.... please.... stop...
Peppylepwned
It has happened. When I worked for walgreens there was a shooting at one of our pharmacies in district over this exact thing.
ColdestOne
The CEO of United healthcare makes 28 million a year iirc
SheepySleepySmuggler
While that's an issue, it pales into comparison with the larger structural inefficiencies with medical insurance in the US that result...
SheepySleepySmuggler
...in paying some of the highest per capita costs for healthcare while missing benefits that are considered universal in many...
SheepySleepySmuggler
...other countries. While the best healthcare in the US is among the best in the world, the majority of healthcare spending is...
SheepySleepySmuggler
...poor value for the consumer. Y'all being ripped off...
znuff
Hey, armed losers! You wanna be a "hero" ? Hit up the CEO office of an insurance company.
ktncuteness
Violence is not the answer!
RumoredAtmos555
You're right! it the question! and the answer is yes!
znuff
Sometimes it is.
ktncuteness
Well... premeditated violence is not, self defense is something else.
ChupaChena
I feel you but I'm curious how "they" will react if someone went postal on their asses. Will shit really change?
ktncuteness
No. They would just be replaced and things would be the same.
dunewarrior
No. They'll just crack down harder. It'll need to be a whole of society change for this to change, because its a societal problem.
rubypilgrim
no good the ceo has good insurance. Within an hour he'll be revived and back at work under a new name with a new face.
Angel2Rock
I work as a medical biller & I FULLY agree with you.Fuck insurance companies and fuck big pharma & the entire industry is a scam in America
clasper
Yup!!
spidermenz
I think the key word in all of this is "industry"
Angel2Rock
I think scam might be another important word too. The industry is a scam because of greedy bastards
maelstromverbae
Also a biller (appeals rep, make insurance pay when they try to deny claims) and FUCK ins companies and adjusters can rot in hell
Angel2Rock
Dude same. I hate talking to insurance reps, getting money from insurance can be painful most days.I hate BCBS right now, such a prob for me
maelstromverbae
BCBS IS THE FUCKING ACTUAL WORST. Like deliberately in all caps because I hate dealing with them more than any other insurance, they pull so
maelstromverbae
much bullshit to avoid playing
Mirilali
BCBS is a royal pain in the everything Even if you know the right wording and department to hunt down for what's needed!
JamesAHarrod
Agreed, have had a few clients that I’ve told it’s cheaper to get on amazon (typically for 1/4 of the price) just because detectible high
spidermenz
I'm confused. Amazon... insurance?
Unprofessionalphotographer
I also want to know if this is a thing
ThisIsYourLifeNow
Amazon...Insulin/Meds I guess
JamesAHarrod
No, just some equipment, walkers/nebulizers... some insurance want crazy copay that is over flat cost of items.
JamesAHarrod
Had one that copay for men unit was $112 but you can buy on Amazon for $35. Another had walker with copay of $157 and get at Walmart for $58
JamesAHarrod
Exactly the same equipment
Datsinginguy
American living in Europe here; I’m never moving back to the USA. It’s fucked.
dmorulez
Makes sure you're using an in network pharmacy and double check with your PBM if you have copay coupons. It's honestly a new thing they're/
Yaratam
PBM = Pharmacy Benefit Manager - a third-party administrator of prescription drug programs for health plans
dmorulez
Correct because health plans don't do drugs. Few do but even then it's because they own the PBM.
dmorulez
This would include Caremark, Express scripts, Medco, and more.
dmorulez
Doing. Also make they didn't change formularies on you or if this should now be coming from a mail order pharmacy in 3 month doses. Also if/
dmorulez
If there's not a generic available you can talk you can sometimes still get it approved by now from your doctor. Is this all BS, yes. But /
dmorulez
It can work. I worked at a specialty pharmacy and helped people in these situations.
ktncuteness
My friend can't get a better paying job because if he does he loses Medicaid, the system traps people.
sykoticflaw
If I get a better paying job, my kids lose Medicaid. It's why I've stayed here as long as I have.
ktncuteness
Exactly! You are trapped!
ktncuteness
Sadly insurance through work is not always an option
Bluefasa
And insurance plans through jobs can be even worse. I had to quit my decent job to get back on the state health insurance
MrPengy
I used to work with a lady who had some medical problems. She had to closely watch her hours because if she made 50 bucks too much,
MrPengy
...She would lose 100s of dollars in benefits. She literally could not make more money, with out losing money.
tr26
In TX, unemployment pays too much for Medicaid.
BargleMcGalls
U can only get medicaid if ur too poor to afford rent and basic needs. Anything $1 above that is denied, and all that middle part up until
BargleMcGalls
Ur rich enough to afford privatized healthcare is either you have shit insurance through a job or u just don't go to doctors cuz u still
BargleMcGalls
Can't afford it. Subpar healthcare or death essentially for everyone between $14k-60k
I0VE525P00GE
You need insurance for healthcare? So if you break your leg or need to give birth you have to claim with an insurance company? That’s crazy
PorneliusHubertII
I pay for shit insurance because it is cheaper than the tax hit for not having insurance.
Irarelypostbutwhenidoitsucks
You must not be on imgur much. 90% of posts are how shit the US everything is. Corrupt morally, with the population bankrupt financially
Nova5269
Yup. You get to pay for the opportunity to pay for lower payments. One would think insurance is for not paying since you already do. Its not
Iliekbirbs
Yes. Fractured my ankle years ago. AFTER my insurance covered their share, I still owed 2500. I ended up applying for help from the hospital
Iliekbirbs
I did not want to go to the ER. Because of the bills. Shouldn't think like that. But I do. :(
fonicartes
Yep. Went to the ER and had 2 nights at the hospital in the COVID ward. $26,000 and I'm still on the hook for $6000 of it.
I0VE525P00GE
That’s so fucked.
Totallyscrewedinaustin
Sister in law got pregnant. Insurance wouldn't cover her due to the pregnancy being a pre-existing condition...
Dragorn
Wtf?
donutposse11337
When was that?
Totallyscrewedinaustin
6-7 years ago
rainyrivers
And people still want to get rid of obamacare which prevents that
ImGooder
I'm all for universal health care but "Obamacare" was horrific. It was free-market based so the prices went up 3x overnight.
stormstereo
Wasn't the ACA in large parts based on something written by Mitt Romney?
rainyrivers
So fight fornthe good parts. Don't just scrap the whole thing. I hate that this countrybisbso all or nothing
caaarrots
Yep, seconded.
fonicartes
I don't think the ACA is to blame for that. Insurance companies saw that it was a requirement now and salivated at price hiking.
tr26
They are, in the sense they basically rewrote the original proposal and we got the ACA, a giant gift to insurance companies at our expense
ImGooder
It was %100 the insurance companies. The idea was good but for some reason they thought the insurance companies would be happy to get...
thepunnypenguin
Yes, and you hope the anesthesiologist who gives the epidural and the ped who checks on the baby in hospital are in network and covered.
johneventually1
Spoiler alert - they are not
theslyredfox
This. So this. Such a large bill for the out of network neonatologist at the IN NETWORK HOSPITAL I delivered at.
thepunnypenguin
I’ll do you one better. Worse? I got an out of network doc at the hospital I worked at and had ins through. How is he out of network?
theslyredfox
Now that is..worse? How is that even possible?
tr26
And gets the epidural right the first time so you don’t spend 6-12mo fighting the bill for the first two failed attempts
Velv3tThunder
So, let me get this straight. He fucks up...and you pay for it?
nicelyvillainous
Yep. You get billed based on amount of care, not results. So if the surgeon slips, you pay him extra for the stitches. Which is also part of
Velv3tThunder
What, and I cannot stress this enough, the fuck
nicelyvillainous
Why medical is so high, because lawsuits are everywhere and docs have to A), pay for malpractice insurance to pay if they lose and B), have
gmfunkd
Also hope the anesthesiologist does the epideral right the 1st time. I'm not tiny (190 at 9 nos.) but I felt no numbness, he did a 2nd shot.
Velv3tThunder
What even the fuck does 'in network' mean? Like, who comes up with this shit?
MrHailstone
What the hell is a network? I have a major depression, problems with the eyes and some other stuff. In the US i would probably be dead.
sweetnaivety
each difference insurance company has a different "network" of doctors that are covered by them, if you use a doctor not in their network -
sweetnaivety
(2) they won't pay for it so you have to pay everything.
MrHailstone
Weird man
thor0486
oh it's a super great system, instead of everyone paying in and it being way cheaper, you'll still pay for your broke neighbor's broken leg
thor0486
who can't pay for it but goes to the emergency room. and the charge will be marked up around 1000%. real smart system.
RedRatchet765
This. People are so stupid if they think we're not already paying for others. Profit driven systems have to recoup losses, after all!
thor0486
I hope it changes. All I can do is vote.
rubypilgrim
well it's certainly smart for the insurance companies, which are raking in the cash. And if you ever got the great idea of starting a-
rubypilgrim
better insurance company, that's illegal.
thor0486
you mean like a single payer option? Don't see how that could be illegal since it would be the government that would provide it.
berithwow
That's not how I works, insurance tells hospitals and pharma to fuck off with their make believe numbers. Without it you pay what they want
mickison
Allthegoodnamesweretakenbeckygod
Insurance companies had hospitals inflate their prices so they could "sell" the discounted rate. They are in it together from the beginning
Sherlock89
It's the opposite really. It's because insurance won't pay what things cost that hospitals have to charge higher amounts. Insurance and
Sherlock89
Pharma are the reason things in the US are so expensive. It's not hospitals that have the giant lobbying groups to buy congressmen.
Dieselmiata
It's both actually. Hospitals do indeed have lobbying groups and have politicians on thier payroll, along with pharma and insurance.
Hadespuppy
Actually, the out of pocket expense is often less than what your insurance pays. The whole system is broken
berithwow
That's just how my wife dumbed it down for me when she worked for blue cross and medicare
I0VE525P00GE
So what happens if you can’t afford insurance? Surely you get quality healthcare for free then
thor0486
StigsMilwaukeeCousin
You do what you gotta do, then file for bankruptcy. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
UrielDArcAngel
Nope...You never get to see a doctor and die...Or go totally bankrupt, become homeless and then die...Murrica...
I0VE525P00GE
Stubbed my toe...guess I’ll die
UrielDArcAngel
That's about the gist of it over here...
RedRatchet765
Murica! *sniffs the air* that's the smell of FREEDOM!! (Freedom to live and die miserably except for a lucky select few)
s7r1d3r420
Depends on the state. And free insurance doesn't cover everything. When I was 16 and had to have my wisdoms removed>
s7r1d3r420
and the free insurance didn't cover the sleep anesthetic, so I had to watch (in horror after begging to be put to sleep for it) as they>
s7r1d3r420
ripped my teeth out.
HarmonyIsTemporary
If you live in states like MA yes, Romney rolled out free care when he was gov. It saved my life when I got cancer, treated by Dana Farber.
Angel2Rock
Not necessarily... if you don’t make enough then maybe you will qualify for Medicaid but not always. Maybe if you are sick enough/disabled/
thor0486
lol you know how low the cutoff for medicaid is? If you're single and in Minnesota it's $540 a month. Who the fuck can live off $540 a month
thor0486
if you get married and have kids obviously the metrics change but otherwise you're screwed. And is that really the incentive you want?
Angel2Rock
Or old then you could get Medicare. Otherwise if you can’t get those two? Your options are to die or drown in debt
martinomander5
530,000 Americans go into bankruptcy each year due to medical issues. You couldn't have designed a worse system if you tried.
nanamonster
I have Medicare and it's alright. That's the reason I was there. I got a new card to update my info but it seems like my 1/2
Netskimmer
We need massive reform and regulation in the medical industry in the U.S.
PonySlaystation5
May I suggest instigating and losing a war on your own turf so that other countries impose better systems in the US? Worked in other places.
BabySharkEtc
SeklaLucy
how do we do that though?
natus
But the free market and muh freedoms! /s
MechaGandalf
N00BN00B
yeah no shit Sherlock, Imgur must be record store because all I hear are broken records.
LordofSandvich
Radical reform. Medicine is now an essential service, just like the USPS. It should be tax-funded, minimal or no out of pocket.
SpamYarBlockers
BuT mAh FrEeDoMs!
zanoii
BuT tHaT’s CoMmUnISm!
Rhenthalin
It is the most heavily regulated industry in the country. This is the result. Doing more of the wrong thing isn't going to help
CangodCreateAStoneItCannotLift
This!, Now boycot big pharma by not taking meds for at least 1 year.
CangodCreateAStoneItCannotLift
Hmm, didnt think this one through
ShadowbanMyAss
You guys need a revolution first!
ctotheg2
Instead people will just continue to bend over
OnePostCloserToAHappierLIfe
And die.
Netskimmer
Sadly, this is most likely true.
Strangedays2024
But what about the share holders?/s
tegfdd77
Become a shareholder? I mean it’s a thought
Counterfit
nasukkin
They should pray that we get the first two "Re"s mentioned before we resort to the third: Revolution.
NullRelevence
Hang 'em
4etherling
This
IOnlyPostThatOneGorillaGif
tr26
Poor retirees :(
Arcanum3000
Reform and regulation of the existing system is not sufficient. The entire medical insurance industry needs to be torn out by the roots.
kluang
Ultra capitalist is bad. Ultra commie is also bad. Need middle ground where company can grow and profit and the government can regulate
TheWhiteBarry
Why should healthcare be profitable? No one expects the fire department to turn a profit. Services cost money, we need to accept that fact.
kluang
I don't understand American thinking. Service= no profit. Japan, Malaysia and Singapore managed to make it profitable and affordable.
tegfdd77
TRUE!
zanoii
To be clear: NO ONE is suggesting anything near communism. That’s just 80 years of capitalist propaganda talking.
noctynight
We need a fucking guillotine.
grisen072
Well, of most industry.. America has taken capitalism too far, and poorly regulated capitalism hurts the 99% while benefiting the 1%.
TheCauseTheKidTheCourseTheCharm
You need a lot of shit to change, unfortunately us Brits do too
pauldegraaf
Sadly, it will take years and years to build up a system that works. It’s not like turning a switch.
Lurker4815162342
But if the US could start the change now, it would be ready sooner. It is like the problem with procrastination - I'll write more tomorrow.
Netskimmer
Unfortunately, the richest and most powerful people in the country will fight the change tooth and nail.
truemetalman
Yeah, but it helps that there are other working systems we could base ours off of if we could just get off our USA #1 high horse for 2 secs.
SpamYarBlockers
BuT iN otHeR cOuNtRiEs yOu hAvE tO wAiT fOr MeDiCaL cArE aNd tHeY paY mOrE TaXeZ
ILiekToCookAndBake
Bro my $440 a month insurance won't cover my INSULIN. This some ol hangable guillotine bullshit
[deleted]
[deleted]
striximperatrix1
What the actual fuckity fuck?
gordy77
Just remember, hang first, guillotine second.
awindingland
Eat the rich! Eat the rich!
FamousOnce
Holy fuck. 1, that cost, 2, that coverage. You poor bastard.
OhCrapIDidntMeanToPickThisName
Samesies
MyDickStaysHardInGraveyards
So what do you get for the insurance?
auxtanksdry
I honestly wish instead of killing random everyday people all these unstable shooter types would just pick a billionaire CEO.
Lsai
Add in drawing and quartering then tar and feathers and I'm in. Can we do this in a public arena, as well?
ReginaFlangie
We pay $900 a pay period... and it’s half the cost.
meldritchhoerrors
My BF's wouldn't even cover flu vaccines. And he could never see a doctor bc none within the network were accepting new patients.
ShrekApproves
Mines almost 600$
IDontKnowWhatToDoAnymoreAndImTired
If it doesn't cover that, why do you have it?
ILiekToCookAndBake
Because I can't afford $1000 a month on top of everything else?
Burylown
Hey, make sure that they have your ICD 10 diagnoses code in their system. I once went to riteaid and they didn't have it in and it was about
Burylown
To cost me 800 bucks for 2 vials. They put that in and it dropped it to 0. those fucking idiots thought I was some random who wanted insulin
Emiloo74
What...? How...? :dies a little inside:
Qoincy
Holy fuck your insurance costs 440 dollars?
Emiloo74
My old insurance was about that much just for me. Now, on my hubby's insurance, and it is about that much for both of us. It is nuts.
Qoincy
Jesus I never knew prices were that high
ImgurPlz
Just say when.
Arcticstorm141
Man that's bullshit, how is it legal to over charge for life needing medicine
NightlyReaper
‘Murica! Fuck yeah!
tr26
Ask Senator Machin’s daughter :(
hwyckoff
Corrupted politicians
1leggedhampsterfarmer
Late stage capitalism my friends. We need desperately medical and insurance reforms in this country.
Cindex1337
Wtf? I thought insulin was like, required to be covered now.....
NightlyReaper
Think again.
Tig3rQueen
I think just Colorado is doing that now. Hopefully everyone follows. My dad and baby sis have type 1. Paid 2200 premium 1year, 8k deductible
Bystandr
You should know there was a law passed in 2017 that applies to you: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/244
Bystandr
It states border customs cannot stop you from bringing in a personal 90 day supply from Canada though technically prohibited. In Canada
Bystandr
a THREE month supply of long acting insulin like Lantis-Solostar is ~447$ CDN . Makes a drive across the border worth it after we get most
Bystandr
people vaccinated and COVID finally starts to be a non issue. https://pharmacycheckerblog.com/buying-insulin-canada-without-prescription
ILiekToCookAndBake
Problem with that. I'm in CA, on a pump with novolog.
YourNeighborhoodLesbian
My buddy had issues for over a month trying to get a new pump (his was failing slowly too) all they had to do was send a fax to his Dr and
YourNeighborhoodLesbian
They for some reason just wouldn't send it, he ended up switching distributors. It's bullshit you all have to deal with all that shit
worsttimelinenow
My new insurance forced me from Novolog to humalog and it caused me massive health issues for a year. I went from 30u Lantus to 56u.
ILiekToCookAndBake
Yeah they won't even cover humalog. I have to get a letter of med necessity, and I'm gonna make the doc put my prescription for 18 vials
ILiekToCookAndBake
Why? Cause fuck em that's why. And I want fucking apidra.
YourNeighborhoodLesbian
I'm sorry to hear that. Fuck the USA.
nanamonster
Agreed.
agonarch
I am honestly really surprised given america there's not more violence over this. If I was about to be killed by my insurance, I dunno man.
ILiekToCookAndBake
Could rob a pharmacy to get arrested and get healthcare in prison!
agonarch
I've seen videos on the healthcare in prison, putting sugar into infected wounds etc. (I mean it works..ish, but very 1910), I dunno man.
pgaru
And that's your crappy guide to our crappy health insurance, you're welcome
IrateMeatAndMeatAccessories
.
dunewarrior
Now you know how to overthrow the oligarchy. You're welcome.
IrateMeatAndMeatAccessories
*Slaps stuff out of drawn Matt Mercer's hands.*
nanamonster
mazelt0vc0ckt4il
Deductibles are the biggest bullshit aspect of insurance ever! We'll cover you after you pay eleventy billion dollars on med expenses
mazelt0vc0ckt4il
NOTE: not our monthly 200+ fee. That money doesn't count.
Jonnytombstone
But single payer insurance is the devil
mazelt0vc0ckt4il
If you don't want to pay the eleventybillion before we do our fucking job you can pay our monthly fee of 600+,
mazelt0vc0ckt4il
no worries though if you make too little money to put food on your table it's very affordable, unless you can afford a basic level of living
mazelt0vc0ckt4il
then you pay everything