So sorry you had to experience this, Bubble. At least my GI doc was not the problem. His staff otoh borders incompetent. I played the "let's see who gets tired of me first and does their job" game, calling both the doc's office and specialty pharmacy 2-3 times/week. The people at specialty pharmacy were very professional and friendly. The actually got to the point where they knew me by my voice.
Anyway, I found the GI's email address and offered to pick up the script wherever it was most convenient for him to write it and fax it in myself since his staff was too overworked to do so. Two emails to him and I had my meds in hand.
Oh, and if you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out Harvoni's coupon online. I had my approval in like 5 seconds. It's been lovely. They pay all but the first $5 of each co-pay. The coupon is good for 6 months after first fill.
Good luck with the new doc. Keep advocating for yourself! It's worth the fight.
Matt Chris said
Mar 19, 2015
Hey Bubble
Glad to hear the good news, some doctors like any tradesman/ professional sometimes just don't have it together regardless them having a license to practice.
If you got a good one now, things will move along quickly.
Happy Days are coming your way.
matt
bubble said
Mar 19, 2015
Thanks Tig. On the upside, no referral is needed. Getting my FibroSure CD's and paperwork tomorrow. And, my Doc I see next week will honor my late Febuary tests to streamline the process. These doc's are a group of six and they have a good standing/relationship with the hospital and have been around since the 80's. It will bee good to go back. Definitly keep you posted. Full speed ahead.......all over again!
Tig said
Mar 19, 2015
Hi Bubble,
Sounds like you've had more than your share of nonsense. Sorry to hear about all the hassles. The doctor's office you were dealing with is required to provide you a referral to another physician. I would ask them for that referral. Make them follow procedure. They may not like it, but that's too bad. You can also contact your insurance carrier for a referral. Then there is always the ER. You can get an immediate referral from them, but you have to pay that copay and any fee involved.
If you have a policy that allows you a no referral needed option, you might call Abbvie and/or Gilead's customer assistance lines. If you need those numbers, let me know. They may have names of participating physicians in your area. Good luck! Let us know what you find out.
Tig
bubble said
Mar 19, 2015
Hey everyone! Here it is a week later and......I guess I need a little sympathy. As of yesterday I have called it quits waiting for my Doc to submitt my Rx. to Express Scripts. Saw him March 2 and everything looked great for my depature to Tx. (Mind you it took 3 months for this appointment). Well my fourth phone call to Express Scripts said they have received nothing from him. So we called the office and now his sec. said he is out 8 to 10 weeks for medical leave ! Up 8 weeks from the original "out sick" from last week. The hell with him. No one could give me a status report on my paper work. The hell with him. (This is a Doc's way of saying he's moving on to another hospital etc). Glad I called.
So I thought about calling my original Doc. He is the one who got me the 2006 Peg/Riba tx. I could not go back to him because after the Tx. a year or two latter I called and I wanted the Bosprevir/Peg to try. They said they were not treating any more patients so I found this nuckle-head above. Well.... I called them and I am seeing them next Wednesday !!!! All this for a box of pills! Yes I am still persisting, persueing and what ever. And yes ! I didnt make the newspaper headlines yesterday under the Local Police Blotter. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Will keep you posted. Still in the twilight zone.
bubble said
Mar 11, 2015
This all certainly helps. The irony of it is that Abb-Vie called me right back, ready to go. I found out my Doctor is out "sick" all week and the sec. knows nothing. I dumped my previous 3 doctors in the past ten years. I came back to this guy, my fourth doctor from 2008. He had moved to a new adress and removed his senior staff and his nursing assitant for cheaper, inexperienced staff. A sign of the times. If enough complaints arise with the refill process, perhaps letters to CMO chief at Abb-Vie - Mr. Steve Miller. He has been touting his project with Express Scripts alot on "Fierce BioTech.com" This road has been way too long for all of us, and having the horrors of Pegysus still as a soveneir. I thank Tig for that letter from the lady who went through hell getting refills. There must be an unimaginable amout of sick folks all in line. Dont know how some of these medical proffesion/experts sleep at night. I'll keep pluggin' away. Keep you posted.
Geno1b in 2005. Relapsed on Peg/Riba post 46 weeks. Diagnosed Geno 1a 2015. 225k VL.
Rubye said
Mar 11, 2015
Well, on the good or flip side, I learned which doctors I never want to use for care in the future. I think the doctor's staff say a lot about who she is and how much she cares. I worked for a medical group at UCSF and the better doctors never suffered fools.
Bills said
Mar 11, 2015
I totally agree Matt, and everyone
Approval need to be a big priority with the doctors driving the bus.
Between my last relapse and this Harvoni round. I switched from NY to another clinic in NJ I thought Oh this easier no NY travel and expense He seemed like a very good doc and well known in the research field. But When the pharmacy said they called my doc for the qualification on past treatment and current test etc The secretary said they don't have that info I never called back and or told them I quit and went back to NY doc
in a week all my testing was sent out and to get meds the next week. The larger Hep C / Liver groups tied into the hospitals / research treat so many they have more experience with the system and know how get the approval done fast as you can get the right tests to show. Some of these private smaller groups are great doctors just don't have the staff getting the paperwork done quick and correct.
Bills
Matt Chris said
Mar 11, 2015
Hey Bubbie
I been there, and know how frustrating it can be. Best advice, be your own best advocate if you feel you are being treated unfairly speak up/ write a letter to the department head of the clinic and don't take it. A bad un-attentive Doctor most of the time cannot be motivated by by talking two them because they can't be reached directly but more effectively by outside pressure and the exposure of their neglect and bad reviews to their peers.
matt
-- Edited by Matt Chris on Wednesday 11th of March 2015 04:41:22 AM
Bills said
Mar 11, 2015
Hi Bubble,
So glad to see your getting some answers and advice. I've seen some of these post about trouble with express scripts and doctors who drag their feet. I'm sure that there is experience here with similar problems like yours. Something will click. Maybe it means a change in plans and different approach but there is wisdom and experience giving advice. Our fight for a cure has come with many scars. I hope you get on your train soon. The 1000's and tens/ hundreds of thousands are all banging on the Pharmaceuticals, Insurance carriers doors and phones. We will win this fight. Good Luck Bubble you on the right track
BillS
Loopy Lisa said
Mar 10, 2015
My Doctor is great, it is the rest. I had a perscription months ago for Sovosbuvir, the pharmacy will call me when I can collect. I suspect when i am grey at this rate! :D
angelseven said
Mar 10, 2015
I had problems with my doctor's office also... many stupid problems, it was very upsetting, hang in there.......you really have to stay on top of things for sure
connie/angelseven
Tig said
Mar 10, 2015
Hey Bubble,
Sorry you're having these issues. We have a member here, Kristen, that had some real problems with Express scripts and her process of approval. She is insurance specialist of some sort herself, so she had some insight into this process. I will provide you a link to the thread where she discussed the problems she had and what finally resolved them. She had a real knack for writing her questions and appeals. You may find them both interesting and useful. Good luck!
Yes, way too familiar. My problem was not with insurance but rather the doctor's office. Good luck.
Stormy said
Mar 10, 2015
Oh, yah! Been there and still waiting! 4 months now. I seem to have to multiply everyone's time frame by about 3 or 4. It is bordering on ridiculous.... You just have to shake your head and laugh.
Stormy
zavr said
Mar 10, 2015
Yep, sounds like a famiar story. Keep hounding!
bubble said
Mar 10, 2015
I guess you can tell I am in a hurry to get treated. I contacted my Doc to check the status of my pre-authorozation for Vikera-pac. The nurse said it takes about a month! Called my insurance company and they had nothing after 8 days. Called Express Scripts to look into it-again nothing. Abb-Vie (Who are very professional) is waiting for the info. for my financial assistance co-pay thingy. Express Scripts then said they can approve it over the phone or returning a faxed application, it takes about a day! I hope they know it's for Vikera-Pac. It's all up to my Doctor now so I guess I have some hounding to do. The Doc's secretary's just dont know so I have to coach them. I am calling today to see if they returned my info to Express Scripts. My advice to all is to ask questions and do get answer's. I jolted both of them when I said "He wants me back in 5 weeks to review my blood work and your telling me I have to wait a month" !!!!!! Keep you updated. Hi Bill!
Geno 1b since 2005 - Peg/Riba 46 weeks- Post-relapse. Diagnosed 1a with F3 fibro 2015. 225k VL.
So sorry you had to experience this, Bubble. At least my GI doc was not the problem. His staff otoh borders incompetent. I played the "let's see who gets tired of me first and does their job" game, calling both the doc's office and specialty pharmacy 2-3 times/week. The people at specialty pharmacy were very professional and friendly. The actually got to the point where they knew me by my voice.
Anyway, I found the GI's email address and offered to pick up the script wherever it was most convenient for him to write it and fax it in myself since his staff was too overworked to do so. Two emails to him and I had my meds in hand.
Oh, and if you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out Harvoni's coupon online. I had my approval in like 5 seconds. It's been lovely. They pay all but the first $5 of each co-pay. The coupon is good for 6 months after first fill.
Good luck with the new doc. Keep advocating for yourself! It's worth the fight.
Hey Bubble
Glad to hear the good news, some doctors like any tradesman/ professional sometimes just don't have it together regardless them having a license to practice.
If you got a good one now, things will move along quickly.
Happy Days are coming your way.
matt
Thanks Tig. On the upside, no referral is needed. Getting my FibroSure CD's and paperwork tomorrow. And, my Doc I see next week will honor my late Febuary tests to streamline the process. These doc's are a group of six and they have a good standing/relationship with the hospital and have been around since the 80's. It will bee good to go back. Definitly keep you posted. Full speed ahead.......all over again!
Hi Bubble,
Sounds like you've had more than your share of nonsense. Sorry to hear about all the hassles. The doctor's office you were dealing with is required to provide you a referral to another physician. I would ask them for that referral. Make them follow procedure. They may not like it, but that's too bad. You can also contact your insurance carrier for a referral. Then there is always the ER. You can get an immediate referral from them, but you have to pay that copay and any fee involved.
If you have a policy that allows you a no referral needed option, you might call Abbvie and/or Gilead's customer assistance lines. If you need those numbers, let me know. They may have names of participating physicians in your area. Good luck! Let us know what you find out.
Tig
Hey everyone! Here it is a week later and......I guess I need a little sympathy. As of yesterday I have called it quits waiting for my Doc to submitt my Rx. to Express Scripts. Saw him March 2 and everything looked great for my depature to Tx. (Mind you it took 3 months for this appointment). Well my fourth phone call to Express Scripts said they have received nothing from him. So we called the office and now his sec. said he is out 8 to 10 weeks for medical leave ! Up 8 weeks from the original "out sick" from last week. The hell with him. No one could give me a status report on my paper work. The hell with him. (This is a Doc's way of saying he's moving on to another hospital etc). Glad I called.
So I thought about calling my original Doc. He is the one who got me the 2006 Peg/Riba tx. I could not go back to him because after the Tx. a year or two latter I called and I wanted the Bosprevir/Peg to try. They said they were not treating any more patients so I found this nuckle-head above. Well.... I called them and I am seeing them next Wednesday !!!! All this for a box of pills! Yes I am still persisting, persueing and what ever. And yes ! I didnt make the newspaper headlines yesterday under the Local Police Blotter. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Will keep you posted. Still in the twilight zone.
This all certainly helps. The irony of it is that Abb-Vie called me right back, ready to go. I found out my Doctor is out "sick" all week and the sec. knows nothing. I dumped my previous 3 doctors in the past ten years. I came back to this guy, my fourth doctor from 2008. He had moved to a new adress and removed his senior staff and his nursing assitant for cheaper, inexperienced staff. A sign of the times. If enough complaints arise with the refill process, perhaps letters to CMO chief at Abb-Vie - Mr. Steve Miller. He has been touting his project with Express Scripts alot on "Fierce BioTech.com" This road has been way too long for all of us, and having the horrors of Pegysus still as a soveneir. I thank Tig for that letter from the lady who went through hell getting refills. There must be an unimaginable amout of sick folks all in line. Dont know how some of these medical proffesion/experts sleep at night. I'll keep pluggin' away. Keep you posted.
Geno1b in 2005. Relapsed on Peg/Riba post 46 weeks. Diagnosed Geno 1a 2015. 225k VL.
Well, on the good or flip side, I learned which doctors I never want to use for care in the future. I think the doctor's staff say a lot about who she is and how much she cares. I worked for a medical group at UCSF and the better doctors never suffered fools.
I totally agree Matt, and everyone
Approval need to be a big priority with the doctors driving the bus.
Between my last relapse and this Harvoni round. I switched from NY to another clinic in NJ I thought Oh this easier no NY travel and expense He seemed like a very good doc and well known in the research field. But When the pharmacy said they called my doc for the qualification on past treatment and current test etc The secretary said they don't have that info I never called back and or told them I quit and went back to NY doc
in a week all my testing was sent out and to get meds the next week. The larger Hep C / Liver groups tied into the hospitals / research treat so many they have more experience with the system and know how get the approval done fast as you can get the right tests to show. Some of these private smaller groups are great doctors just don't have the staff getting the paperwork done quick and correct.
Bills
Hey Bubbie
I been there, and know how frustrating it can be. Best advice, be your own best advocate if you feel you are being treated unfairly speak up/ write a letter to the department head of the clinic and don't take it. A bad un-attentive Doctor most of the time cannot be motivated by by talking two them because they can't be reached directly but more effectively by outside pressure and the exposure of their neglect and bad reviews to their peers.
matt
-- Edited by Matt Chris on Wednesday 11th of March 2015 04:41:22 AM
Hi Bubble,
So glad to see your getting some answers and advice. I've seen some of these post about trouble with express scripts and doctors who drag their feet. I'm sure that there is experience here with similar problems like yours. Something will click. Maybe it means a change in plans and different approach but there is wisdom and experience giving advice. Our fight for a cure has come with many scars. I hope you get on your train soon. The 1000's and tens/ hundreds of thousands are all banging on the Pharmaceuticals, Insurance carriers doors and phones. We will win this fight. Good Luck Bubble you on the right track
BillS
My Doctor is great, it is the rest. I had a perscription months ago for Sovosbuvir, the pharmacy will call me when I can collect. I suspect when i am grey at this rate! :D
I had problems with my doctor's office also... many stupid problems, it was very upsetting, hang in there.......you really have to stay on top of things for sure
connie/angelseven
Hey Bubble,
Sorry you're having these issues. We have a member here, Kristen, that had some real problems with Express scripts and her process of approval. She is insurance specialist of some sort herself, so she had some insight into this process. I will provide you a link to the thread where she discussed the problems she had and what finally resolved them. She had a real knack for writing her questions and appeals. You may find them both interesting and useful. Good luck!
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t57099534/express-scripts-debacle/
Tig
Oh, yah! Been there and still waiting! 4 months now. I seem to have to multiply everyone's time frame by about 3 or 4. It is bordering on ridiculous.... You just have to shake your head and laugh.
Stormy
Yep, sounds like a famiar story. Keep hounding!
I guess you can tell I am in a hurry to get treated. I contacted my Doc to check the status of my pre-authorozation for Vikera-pac. The nurse said it takes about a month! Called my insurance company and they had nothing after 8 days. Called Express Scripts to look into it-again nothing. Abb-Vie (Who are very professional) is waiting for the info. for my financial assistance co-pay thingy. Express Scripts then said they can approve it over the phone or returning a faxed application, it takes about a day! I hope they know it's for Vikera-Pac. It's all up to my Doctor now so I guess I have some hounding to do. The Doc's secretary's just dont know so I have to coach them. I am calling today to see if they returned my info to Express Scripts. My advice to all is to ask questions and do get answer's. I jolted both of them when I said "He wants me back in 5 weeks to review my blood work and your telling me I have to wait a month" !!!!!! Keep you updated. Hi Bill!
Geno 1b since 2005 - Peg/Riba 46 weeks- Post-relapse. Diagnosed 1a with F3 fibro 2015. 225k VL.