I have to take maintenance medicine and I hate it. I despise having to be chained to a pill bottle and knowing that whatever else I am doing, I will be taking a pill between this time and this one. I know it improves my quality of life. I know that if I didn't take it, I could have serious, perhaps even life threatening consequences. The scariest day of my life, I woke up from a medically induced coma to see my mother and my father peering down at me. I had a tube in every opening and a couple in places that weren't open to start with. So there I am, cold room, that infernal beeps and wheezes going off all around me and I opened my eyes and saw my parents. They were looking down at me and Momma was trying not to cry. They were both smiling at me, and the scariest part for me was that they were touching shoulders and didn't seem to care. My first thought, I am not exaggerating, was 'oh my Goodness, I must be dying.'
Well, I didn't die and as far as I know, they never got that close to each other without carping about it again. But my point is that I have to take medicine for these seizures again, and the one that I take is expensive. Mortgage payment expensive. And since I have had to switch insurances (thanks Obamacare!!) there was a lapse and then there has been some question about what is and what isn't covered.
If I have to pay $142 each time I get this filled, I don't really feel as though I have coverage, ifyouknowwhatImean.
So having given them two days to fill the script and timing everything almost to the minute as far as when my other prescription will be gone, I called Walmart to make sure it was filled. 'People Skills' Penny answered the phone.
me: Hi my name is Milissa and my birthday is blah blah blah, is my prescription ready?
PSP: um, what was the name again?
me: Milissa, before you ask, here's my birthdate.
PSP: we don't have that filled.
me: why not, it was called in two days ago.
PSP: It's a really really expensive prescription and we didn't want to fill it before we knew you were going to be able to pay for it.
By this time, I have a bump in the back of my head where the back of it tried to blow out.
me:While I appreciate your concern over my financial well being, I am going to be needing that today.
PSP: oh- well we'll need at least two days to get this in stock.
Me: THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU ORDER IT WHEN IT WAS CALLED IN??????
PSP: so did you want me to order that now?
At this point I hung up and called 1.800.walmart. I explained what had happened, and what was going to happen if I didn't get the medicine. She put me on hold and got someone from their higher ups to on the line. This person was clueless. She politely pointed out that I could go to another pharmacy. I told her that in this tiny town there is only one pharmacy still open at that time, and I had called them already. They didn't have it in stock. She suggested that I go to the next large town about 26 miles away and get it from a pharmacy there. I asked her if I started walking now, would I get there by morning.
Walmart:Oh you don't drive?
Me: No, that's why I take this medicine, huh?
Walmart: Have someone take you?
Me:Who would you have me ask at the last minute? I need to plan things out a couple of days in advance, what with not being able to drive and all.
Walmart: You could take a bus.
Me: I live in a town with seven stoplights. Do you think we have public transportation?
Walmart: I am trying to help. Isn't there anyone who can drive you? No one at all?
Me: Not at the last minute. Again, had I known that I was giving my prescription to Forrest Gump, I would have made other arrangements.
Walmart:There is no need to be rude.
Me: Ma'am, this isn't rude. I'll be there in a minute. Rude was your employee. Why didn't someone call me if there was a question about the cost? Why didn't someone ask me if I was aware of the cost? Why didn't someone call my doctor if there was a question?
Walmart:We'll me looking into that, I promise.
Me: Like you'll be getting my medicine, right?
At this point, I just hung up the phone, I was angry and starting to fight the urge to drop an f-bomb somewhere.
So think about where you want to spend your money. There has to be a small pharmacy that would love to have your business. Develop a relationship with them. Avoid Walmart at all costs. You'll thank me later.
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