Smiths Pharmacy Sucks

Listen,
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

Good burger...

Listen,
So a couple of days ago, we were out and about and got hungry so we went to Carl's Jr. I had the Portabello Six Dollar Burger. It was pretty good, not great, but good.

Today, Brady and I were out and about and he said he wanted to go to McDonalds. He loves that place, though I think it is mostly the play area, but what can you do. I went up to the counter to order his cheeseburger happy meal and my usual, the double quater-pounder with cheese meal, large sized, of course, but they had something on the menu I had not seen before. Its been a while since I've been to the "Golden Arches," but not that long. They had 1/3 pound angus burgers. I thought I'd give one a try. They have a couple variations, but I chose the mushroom swiss.
When I unwrapped it, it actually looked like the picture (the above picture, not the one below like I'm used to), I was shocked... I then took my first bite... wow, this was tasty, I mean, it tasted really good, like really good! I would not put it up there with In-n-Out, Crown Burger, or Five Guys, but it was really good. The most amazing thing was that I actually felt fine after eating it. I know, shocking. Usually, the double QPC leaves me regretting life, but it's been like 4 hours now, and I feel great. I am very impressed and very happy to have an option that is that good at McD's.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Congratulations McDonald's... you didn't make me sick! Great Burger!

So long Joe...

Listen,

This is a sports post. Most of you will find it boring… sorry.

I have been a big-time hockey fan since 1993. Before then I was a fan, just not as obsessed with it as I became in 1993. That was the year that I started playing ice hockey. I had been playing street hockey for several years and it just so happened that the Skyline’s hockey coach lived on my street. If you have seen the street that I grew up on, you would know that this is quite an astounding coincidence. There are only 16 houses (including the corner lots) on it. We played roller hockey on the street quite a bit, since there was not a lot of traffic on it. Anyway, one day when we were playing he came and talked to us about joining the ice hockey team when school started. It sounded fun so a bunch of us signed up. In fact, during my junior year, my ward had 11 guys on the team. Being hockey players, we naturally got more and more into pro hockey. We’d get together to watch and analyze games every chance we got. Those players became our heroes as we attempted to emulate their on-the-ice skills. It was a common thing to sit and make lists of who was the fastest, who had the best slap shot, show was the best skater and on and on. Since the closest team was in Los Angeles, we were free to choose a favorite team. But in 1995 it was announced that the Quebec Nordiques would be moving to Denver, wow, Denver that’s only like 8 hours away.

My dad and I started to become Avalanche fans. We spent countless evenings watching hockey together. The Avs became our team. Joe Sakic, the captain of the Avalanche soon became one of my favorite players. He wasn’t flashy like Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Fedorov or Pavel Bure whose posters hung on my wall and whose jerseys hung in my closet. Joe was a quite leader. If a goal needed to be scored late in the game, Joe would come through. We always called him “Super Joe” a nickname he had, most likely due to his unassuming style, but amazing abilities.

It was been announced that he is retiring after 20 years in the NHL. Here is a list of some of his accomplishments:
- 2 Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001
- 1 Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP in 1996
- 13 All Star Games
- Team Captain for 17 years
- 8th in all-time points with 1641
- 14th in all-time goals with 635
- 11th in all-time assists with 1016
- Gold Medal at 2002 Winter Olympics
- Most all-time playoff overtime goals with 8

Joe Sakic was a special player. It is a sad day for the NHL to lose a player like Sakic. Not only is her great, but he makes everyone else on his team better. I have a feeling that we may see Joe in the NHL again, not as a player, but as a coach. I was fortunate enough to see him play live when my dad took my younger brother Jeff and I on a road trip to Denver to see the Avs play the New York Rangers. That was a memorable trip.

Farewell Joe and thanks for the memories.