Sometimes you just wake up on 'the wrong side of the bed' as the saying goes. You wake up grumpy and irritated for no real reason.
Today that has happened to me. I feel restless and irritated and just plain grumpy. I don't know if it's just because I am getting fed up with being really weak and worn out, or maybe it's because my hormones are trying to work. Whatever the reason, I plan on staying near home today.
The only problem is that I still had to make some medical phone calls today. Today is not the best day to get into an argument over the phone with me.
I had to book my Lupron injection for Monday.
I have been getting this injection done since February 2012 and I have been receiving the injection at a Safeway pharmacy every month for the entire time, apart from two instances.
Today, over the phone, one of the pharmacists (who I don't normally deal with) informed me that they charge to get that injection.
I have only been charged twice - and both times were because it was a pharmacy tech ringing me through and I was too sick and in too much pain to bother arguing. But today - there was no way I was going to let that slide.
I mentioned that I have been on this medication for three and a half years, and have only been charged for the injection the last two months.
Her: "We always charge the patient for Lupron injections."
Me: "Apart from the last two months, I have not been charged for the three years prior to that. I don't understand how that would change."
Her: "We always charge for Lupron."
Me: "So you're saying that I should have been charged for the last three years."
Her: "When was the last time you were not charged?"
Me: "March - and then every month for three years prior to that."
Her: "Let me go ask my manager."
Me: "It's not a big deal, I have to come in and get injected regardless, I just don't understand why I would be charged all of a sudden when I hadn't been for the last three years."
Her: "Hold on a moment."
So there I am, waiting on the phone, and she comes back in less than ten seconds.
Her: "Yes, we charge for Lupron."
Okay seriously?
Me: "I am not usually charged. Why would that change now?"
Her: "We can only put it to Blue Cross."
Me: "I have Blue Cross."
Her: "We do charge for Lupron."
I am already ready to snap by this point.
Me: "Okay, well then I will bring it up with someone when I come in for the injection. I just need to book a time to come in."
Her: "I can book you in for Monday morning."
Me: "Will it even be there on Monday? Don't you have to order it in? I thought shipments don't arrive until the afternoon."
Her: "We can do Monday. Do you want me to call you back and let you know if you will be charged?"
Are you kidding? No! I said I would deal with it when I get there. Just book the stupid appointment please!
Me: "No there's no need. I need to come in regardless, so I will bring it up on Monday."
Her: "Okay, see you Monday."
Me: "I still need to book a time."
Her: "Oh okay. We can do Monday around lunchtime. Maybe 11 or 12."
Me: "I can do 11am. Thanks."
Then we hang up.
I do a little cursing under my breath, then make myself a tea and lie on the couch to calm down.
Two minutes later I get a phone call from the pharmacy.
Same lady: "We can't do Monday because we have to order it in so it won't be here until Tuesday. Would you like to do the same time on Tuesday?"
Me: "Yes please. Tuesday at 11 works. Thank you."
You have GOT to be kidding me! Am I speaking to a wall? Or a recording? Are you even paying the slightest bit of attention to the conversation???
I tell you, this was one of those phone calls where an old-fashioned telephone would come in handy. There was always something satisfying about slamming down the receiver to hang up when you were pissed off. Cell phones just don't offer that same outlet.
This whole issue is small potatoes. I would not normally give two sh*ts about what she said over the phone, and I would simply bring up the issue when I went to receive the injection. And really, the charge isn't enough to break the bank by any means, but if it is covered, then it should be covered! Not only that, but she was clearly not really paying attention to what she was doing.
I tell ya, if I get there on Tuesday and there is no pharmacist there who is certified to be administering this particular injection, I may just blow a fuse.
All I wanted to do was order my medication and book a day and time to come in. It's the same routine phone call that I make every single month. Why did it have to be so much more difficult - on today of all days?