I figured it was about time to blog again. I know that you all have been anxiously awaiting an update on what is going on in my world, so I decided that I would tell you about my recent experience with a local retail pharmacy.
I recently went to the doctor. I was given a new prescription for some medicine that will hopefully extend my life and the lives of those around me. Of course, because I work reviewing prior authorizations, my new prescription needed a prior authorization. As a pharmacist, I know exactly what information to give my doctor in order for them to call my insurance and get my medication approved. So, I called my doctor's office and the receptionist told me that I needed to have the pharmacy fax them so they get all the necessary information. This pissed me off, so I called back and requested to leave a message for my doctor and gave the receptionist all my insurance information and the number to call for the prior authorization. I probably have a big "black mark" on my profile at the doctor's office. Who cares. Anyway, I had Hana drop the prescriptions off at Smiths Market Place on 3215 Valley Street near my house. I will never ever ever ever go back there for a prescription as long as I live. I knew my pills would need an authorization and Hana told them that when she dropped them off on Wednesday (the 2nd of September). Yesterday (Saturday the 5th), I called the pharmacy to see if they had gone through the insurance. They flat out told me that they had not been approved yet. The person on the phone said "I am showing that they have not been approved yet, maybe try back on the 13th." The 13th?!? A week?!? What was he talking about?!? This made ZERO sense to me, so I called my insurance. The lady at the customer service line was very helpful and informed my that the prior authorization had actually been approved on Thursday. So, my prescription could have been billed by Smiths on Thursday, but they just told me to try back on the 13th!!!! I told her that the pharmacy just told 2 minutes ago that the prescription would not go through. She told me she did not even have a rejected claim since Wednesday the 2nd of September! That means they hadn't even tried to run the prescription through the insurance since Hana dropped it off!!!! They didn't even try billing it when I called them... That means when I called Smiths they lied to me.
The lady was nice enough to put me on hold and call Smiths to tell them they would go through then came back on the line to tell me that the system showed the paid claim. I thanked her for her help, put on my sandals, and headed to Smiths. After waiting in line for 10 minutes (I timed it) I was told that it would be at least 30
minutes before my pills would be ready. I almost blew up after having been lied to, but surprisingly I kept my calm (crazy huh). I left without my pills because I had to get to my parents house for the BYU game (which was awesome by the way). I went back this morning (yes on Sunday) to pick them up. After being rung up and signing for my medication I left. With all of you as my witness I will never go back to that pharmacy and would encourage you all to avoid going there as well. If I didn't know how pharmacy works, I would still be without my medication. They hadn't even tried running them until the lady from my insurance called to tell them to. This probably happens to lots of people who don't know how the process works and just accept the lies that are told to them. Scary stuff. I am tempted to write a letter... maybe I will.Anyway,
Smiths Pharmacy on 33rd South SUCKS
Please DO NOT go there
Please DO NOT go there
