FUCK FUCK FUCK (or apparently, they don't want me to)

[40cakes]

I have too fucking much to do today to deal with the fact that my health insurance (United Healthcare, in case you have it too) has decided to DOUBLE the price of my Pill. And their alternatives are "Here's some generics!" which, as I understand, are about 75% effective. Awesome. I tried to call insurance angrily, but since I asked about Pharmacy in their EVIL EVIL FUCKING EVIL automated phone bullshit, they sent me to their outsourced pharm. The poor guy there has no idea why they changed the price, and can only offer generic options. Badass.


I don’t know the circumstances under which we left Healthnet for UnitedHealthcare, but I took the change in cost of my Pill in stride. But many of us received notices that as of last Saturday (good to know they’re timely) UHC has doubled the price of OrthoCyclen. The alternatives they offer us are generics, which aren’t as effective in preventing pregnancy. They also suggested using their prescription by mail service, which makes the cost of purchasing the Pill less expensive per month, but nonetheless STILL CHARGES MORE PER PACKET. While I know we like babies at our company, we often appreciate them more when they’re expected, and I have absolutely no intention of providing baby #100.

When I tried to call UHC to complain, I was directed to the outsourced pharmacy company who has no idea about UHC practices or procedures. UHC provides no link to email/contact them directly, and their automated phone service is maddening, making me even more infuriated at them over this. If there’s anything you can do, or if you know for a way for ME to contact them every damn day until they change this, I would greatly appreciate it. At this point, I’m ready to fill out claim forms for the increased amount of condoms, tampons, pads, pain medication, acne medication, and abortions I’m going to need for going off OrthoCyclen.

And I didn't even say "Fucking fucking fuck shit!" once!

Comments

[zuppy28.livejournal.com]

"or if you know for a way for ME to contact them every damn day until they change this"
My favorite part. I SO want you to do that. :)

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Dude, I was on the phone ready to confront someone about how stupid this is, and how much more our pregnancies will cost THEM in the long run, and I HATE being on the phone. If she says "The way to correct this is to harass them with a letter EVERY DAY sent to such-and-such address," I'll send a letter every day. It'll be like the Shawshank Redemption, only with more ovaries.

[spuffylover24.livejournal.com]

Shit! I didnt get a letter!

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

I'm still listed as living at my parents' so maybe it got sent home. R got one, and that's how I found out. Otherwise, I would've found out quite rudely sometime this week when I went to buy pills, since I'm out.

[online-stalker.livejournal.com]

i have united healthcare and they are quite possibly the shittiest health insurance i've ever had. they never pay for anything, they screw up my deductibles, and constantly force me to call them angrily for EVERY SINGLE DOCTOR'S VISIT. they should be sued.

i don't think united does my prescription coverage, but do they offer a mail-in option for birth control? this is usually cheaper and surprisingly convenient. you just get a prescription from your doctor, mail it in, and a week later you've got three packets of bc in your mailbox. of course, the brand of birth control i use (ovcon) doesn't have a generic option on the market yet because its too new, so i don't have to face that problem. yet.

oops

[online-stalker.livejournal.com]

i missed this part of your letter: They also suggested using their prescription by mail service, which makes the cost of purchasing the Pill less expensive per month, but nonetheless STILL CHARGES MORE PER PACKET.

sucks. i'm sorry.

Re: oops

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

It's all good. Yeah, they offer 3 months for $60, which is nice, but for all intents and purposes, I used to get FOUR months for $60, and when we had Healthnet and the Pill was $5/pack, I got A YEAR FOR $60. So it's nice that they offer it as a lesser of evils, but nonetheless GRAR ANGER ANGER YELL SHOUT

When I worked in a physical therapist's office, I remember UHC being really shitty. I was very upset when we switched to them.

[spuffylover24.livejournal.com]

Also, I have no idea what to expect now that I've just switched to the Nuva Ring..I got my first one from the doctor, so I've not yet attempted to purchase it yet.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Don't know if this link will work, but it says 3 months' worth through the mail order is $30.00, but 1 months' worth at the pharmacy is $30.00. That just doesn't make sense. I think their site is stupid.

[prettykate.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is a generic for that, either.

[spuffylover24.livejournal.com]

Grrrr....I'm so upset right now...I dont like the idea of getting them in the mail, it's annoying and takes control away from me actually walking in to a store. Plus, what if the mail doesnt work that day, or if there's a hurricane or something... And personally, $10 is still too much.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Seriously. My mailperson is a little bonkers some days, so I usually have everything I order sent to my office anyway. And I live in a bedroom in an apartment - I don't have room to stockpile my drugs, no matter how small they may seem. Andrea recommended checking out PP until we can see if we can give UHC an offer they can't refuse.

[spuffylover24.livejournal.com]

My brain can't work in abbreviations right now...PP?

[prettykate.livejournal.com]

Planned parenthood.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Planned Parenthood, comrade partynik :)

[lightningspark.livejournal.com]

yeah, they're pulling this shit on me, too... with my, um, happy pills. growl. see icon for my feelings on that.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Seriously. On their website, they said they can change the "tier" a prescription is on up to 4 times a year. That's once every three months. And since there are only 3 tiers, why would they need to move a drug four times? What the Hell?

[lightningspark.livejournal.com]

argh! like i need anyone messing with the stuff that regulates my effing hormone levels that much?!

i'm buying a shotgun. let's go get these people.

[prettykate.livejournal.com]

There is no generic patch, so I had no idea! Even though it doesn't effect me, I am PISSED. Do you want me to send a letter too?

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

I thought you changed from the patch after they said it gave people blood clots like whoa.

HR lady said she'll look into it, and recommended talking to the pharmacy director at UHC. I don't have my actual letter, since I think it was sent to my parents' place. I'll have to grab it when I go home this weekend. Grar.

[prettykate.livejournal.com]

I was going too, but I didn't, because I like it too much.

You should e-mail people you like and trust and see if we can get more e-mails going.

[nothingjerk.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you should write HR an email telling them how our current Healthcare insurance is fucking you fine young women over.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

I did write to HR, and didn't even use the word "fuck" once! And since I'm angry AND it's about sex, that's impressive!

[nothingjerk.livejournal.com]

you didn't write...

"HOW THE FUCK AND I SUPPOSED TO GET MY FUCK ON WITH CRAPPY GENERIC BRITHCONTROL PILLS? HOW FUCKING BOUT I TAKE PACELBOS IN FUCKING STEAD AND WE CAN HOPE JESUS PREVENTS A FUCKING BABY FROM HAPPENING AND IF HE DOESN"T I"LL BE FUCKING SURE TO DELIEVER THE AFTERBIRTH TO YOU PERSONALY OVER YOUR FUCKING HEAD"

or something to that effect?

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Well that was the original message, but then I decided to tone it down.

[pyrobovaphiliac.livejournal.com]

I will gladly share the financial pain of your newly-expensive contraceptions with you. I've been freeloading in that respect too long anyway.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwww. You're a sweetie. I was gonna check out Planned Parenthood and see what their prices were. Dammit, I thought I was done with getting Pills from clinics once I had health insurance!

[sarcasticval.livejournal.com]

Anthem did the same thing to me. $90 bucks for three packets. Gah.