Mail Order Pegasys????

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Pffffft! So I'm on week 4 of 52 TX, and I call the pharmacy 5 days before I need my Peg and Riba refilled (they said call 48-72 hrs. ahead). Pharmacy faxes Dr. for refill on Monday morning (despite the fact that the original script was for 52 weeks). I check with pharmacy Tuesday night; they said they hadn't heard back from the Dr. Call the Dr's office Wednesday morning, and crack a few coconuts. Pharmacy gets refill authorization. Then I get home Wednesday night and find a phone message to call the pharmacy. Pharmacy says my insurance company told them I have to get the refill through MAIL ORDER!!!!

OK, now leaving aside the fact that insurance authorized the prescription a month ago and never said a word about mail order, and the fact that my next dose is due in 48 hours, who in their right mind is going to send heat/light/shock sensitive Pegasys through the US Mail?

Question: Am I being picky, or am I dealing with morons?
Question: Who do I sue if I don't get my meds in time?
Question: Is this what Riba Rage feels like?

Thanks for providing a place to vent; I feel better already!

[wyntre9]

I had the same problem when I went out on FLMA and my insurance changed from one division of the state health benefits program to another.

the new script carrier insisted on mail order refills.  of course, i didn't find out about that until a couple of days before my next peg shot was scheduled and to make it worse, i'd just learned I'd finally reached UND, at week 16 or so.  

it's the one time, during my  34 (of 72) weeks of TX that riba rage came in handy.

Unfortunately, i had to jump through hoops, make dozens of phone calls and go through a lot of stress to resolve the situation.  And then, when I moved a couple of weeks later, i had to go through the same thing all over again.  In fact, i got a shipment the DAY of my move . . .

It really stinks.  my story had a happy ending, too, but it almost gave me a heart attack.

Glad you straightened it out.

I can't STAND having to get meds from mail order when there are perfectly competent stores nearby where i can communicate with a real pharmacist, not to mention the SAME one, whenever I have questions.

Wyntre  

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I got a hold of the right person this morning, and they fixed me right up. She authorized another month from the pharmacy, told me how to sign up for the mail order and was very nice about it too. Thanks for the offer, orphanedhawk, maybe there is someone without insurance who is struggling to pay cash who could use that dose!

Bill - I think I'll be using the same vendor - I thought the gal said "Cure Scripts" but it might be Curascript. My brother with the HCC still feels OK, but still has the same poor prognosis. He was due for an MRI yesterday to see if his intensive Herbal Regimen is doing anything for his tumors. Hoping  for some good news in the next few days.

[Bill1954]

Unfortunately, insurance co’s develop contract rates with these specialty pharmacies- you’re not alone, if it’s any consolation. Over the last two and a half years, everything has been delivered next day via Fed-Ex or UPS in a padded, insulated, blue-ice filled package. Generally, it works flawlessly; but it does occasionally require a little gentle guidance :o). My supplier is Curascript out of Orlando, FL. I’ve had a couple of close scrapes with hurricanes, and I remember others having difficulty with shipments from N.O., when Katrina tore through.

Regarding the time frame- keep raising hell with insurance, the treating doc, the pharmacy (believe it or not, the employees are really sensitive about on time delivery). You might also consider calling the 1 (800) number for Pegasys and throwing them into the fray. They have a reputation for re-arranging clinic staff themselves. Also, as mentioned above, many doctors keep a few extras on hand for just this reason.

If I remember correctly, your'e brother has HCC. I hope he is doing as well as can be expected- I just wanted to wish you both well.

Hang in there, and let us know how things go.

Take care,

Bill  

[NYgirl]

when I extended from 48 to 72 weeks the insurance co refused to pay for it (they said they'd nicely and kindly pay for a transplant if i needed one eventually though the dears!!!) - i contacted Comittment to Care and they sent my meds through the mail just FINE straight to my house once a month.

Either they sent the tablets that I mixed with the sterile water for injection and they did NOT need to be refrigerated or when they sent the premixed vials that were supposed to be kept cold them sent them with ice packs over night.

They were great. All you do is call once a month and ask for the refill and bing bang.  I'm sure it's exactly the same way with regular insurance mail order.

Make sure you ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS refill at least OVER one week beforehand just so you know you won't ever run into trouble.  Make sure you have an EXTRA dose in the house just in case something happens to it or it doesn't come on time (a few times the stupid pen jammed when I was using them).

You aren't having riba rage over this this is well justified RAGE!

Ribarage usually just comes smashing in over some stupid little ridiculous thing and then it pops out again just as quickly.  :)  It's crazy!

[orphanedhawk]

I have one leftover pegsys shot I'd gladly send to you.( I'm in Northern Ca. close, but not that close) You can email me at afront2day atyahoo dotcom, if you are interested.

[FlGuy]

For the entire 60-some weeks that I've been taking these meds, every shot and every pill has come from a mail-order pharmacy.  It's the pharmacy dictated by Insurance - it's actually theirs.  Usually works like clockwork.  They fill every 4 weeks and send me a bill for the co--pay.  You need to work with the Insurance guys and the Pharm guys to get the process ironed out.  If, for some reason, you do not get your peg by your shot time, call your doc to see if he has one laying around.  Working this process is very important.  Not so sure about the cocoanut cracking.  Cracked nuts are not usually that helpful and can be painful.

[livindabest]

   I must be only one awake here.  This issue came up a month or two ago on here. I forget by who, but someone will give you better info later, or check archives.    To relieve some stress I remember the person had to make a lot of calls and "crack a few coconuts" (lol) but somehow  got a temporary supply in time, until regular mail order shipment arrived.   It seems common to receive these meds thru mail order.   Hope this helps for now.
                                                              Aloha,,,  R.