Obama Don’t Care: Insurance Interference

English: President Barack Obama’s signature on the health insurance reform bill at the White House, March 23, 2010. The President signed the bill with 22 different pens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Would you knowingly let your health insurance company prescribe medicine for you? Let them choose which tests and surgeries are necessary to save you or a loved one’s life? Allow them to over-ride a physician’s advice? A physician who went to school for seven plus years; who earned a medical degree, passing Medical Board scrutiny? Not if you have half a brain! However, this is precisely what is happening now in America; the home of the Free.

   A recent trip to the doctor’s office shed a new light on the changes taking place in American Health Care. Prescribed a mild sedative for PTSD sleep issues, off to the pharmacy I went. Doing the usual routine, drop the script, wait an hour. To my surprise, the pharmacist stated the health insurance I have refuses to cover this expensive ($204) medication. After asking their reasoning, I was informed the insurance company believed the dosage prescribed by the physician was quote “Not a therapeutic dose”.

   The dumbfounded look upon my face must have been priceless! Even asking again, “They said what”? I could not wrap my brain around this concept. An insurance company now has power and control over my health care? Crabbing handfuls of my hair, literally pulling at it, the rant began. “I want to see their (insurance company’s) medical degree!” “Call the doctor’s office; this is unethical and ridiculous!” “How in the world can an insurance company make such a decision; overriding my physicians recommendation?” To prevent needing bail money, I stormed out.

   Not a patient woman, immediately I called the doctor’s office; explaining the situation, and getting an unsatisfactory reply. Now, in more disarray, and angrier than a few minutes before. This physician informs he will, against his better judgment, “up the dosage”. Therefore, the insurance company would pay for the medication. At this very moment, the realization of Obama Care hit me like a freight train.

   Complaining to all who had an ear, a nurse’s response to my medical plight turned anger into concern; concern for the safety and health of not just me, but also my fellow Americans. This nurse of 20+ years gave me a crash course in prescribing medicine, and how weight plays a huge roll in dosage. Adding, at my particular weight (under 95lbs), the starting dose should have been 25mg; not the 50mg the doctor first prescribed (later “upping” the dose to 100mg). This new revelation of knowledge rebirthed the anger, frustration, and fear of Obama Care!

   Now, well into two weeks of fighting with the insurance company and doctor’s office, the insurance company still had not “pre-authorized” the prescription. Angry and tired from lack of sleep, I wore the phone out contacting attorneys; searching for an option of justice. The intent was to request an injunction against the insurance company, thus preventing them from making health care decisions instead of my primary physician. It was a futile effort indeed –only fueling the fire.

   In the end, the insurance company paid for the prescription. I should be happy. Right? Well, I’m not! If this is happening to me, it’s happening to others. People with mental disorders like, PTSD, Bi-polar, and other mood-altering illnesses are often violent when off their medication. At risk for harming themselves and others. No wonder the suicide rate in this Country is rising! Luckily, I do not fit in this category. However, many do –which puts many at risk!

   Most believe Obama Care doesn’t start taking effect until January 2014. This pertains only to the individual mandate however (when fines are imposed for not being insured). The programs within the medical system started being implemented immediately after Obama Care was passed. Three rounds of cancer, 62 surgeries, and a plethora of hospital stays since age 14 –I know change when I see it! Obama Care is in full effect, and the consequences are staggering. I believe everyone needs health insurance. However, not at this cost!

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