Well, I wish I would have done a little research, but here I am $80 short so far.
I just lost my job on August 15th, and knowing that I would soon be in dire straits, I decided to try, and get a little help with my Lexapro. So I googled a website, and filled out the information, and called the 800 number on September 2.
I spoke with Michael, and told him my situation. I told him that I hopefully would be employed soon again, but just needed a little help until then. He agreed, and said, "You will probably need your Rx for 90 days, until you find a job, and your insurance kicks in, right? I agreed, "Yes!" He said this would be just the program for me then. He then asked me for the same information that I had just provided online, plus my physician's information and dosage. (I just thought he was verifying what I had entered... Right???) He gave me a six digit account number to write down.
I told him that my Rx will be $140 per month without insurance. He asked me what it had been with insurance, and I answered, "$30." He then presented me with an offer, "How would you like to continue to get your Rx for $30 per month." "Is that possible?" I asked.
He, then, stated that Select Benefits would need a $50 application fee, and the first month's $30. I gave him my bank (EEEKK!) information when he asked for it, knowing I had enough still to cover that, and he stated that they would take $30 out once per month, and I would get my information packet on Friday or so. I would just need to take it to my doctor to fill out, and mail it back. I asked him if this Rx is coming from Canada... Knowing my dr. Will not go for anything that is not FDA approved. He assured me that it was coming straight out of Austin, Texas... Stated, "in fact, the lady beside me is processing orders!" Awww... I thought... Being a former social worker myself... This must be a quaint little organization just out to help people who have taken an unfortunate hit." He told me that it would take about 5-6 weeks to get the Rx after they receive the package back, and suggested that I buy my Rx by the week until then... (By the way... Thank you for the good suggestion.)
It came on Saturday. I glanced over it. Ewwww... Tax forms, check off lists, application, and the promised doctor's form, of course. I actually took it out this morning... Looked closer at all the fine print. 12 month committment! No. This is not for me... Plus they have the wrong dosage written on the form that the doctor has to sign. I call the number at the top of the form to cancel. Forest Pharmaceuticals. No. They did not take my banking account information. No they do not charge anything. Just print form offline, and have the doctor fill out his part, and mail it in.
So I called the patient advocate number in the pack. The first time... I got a fast busy signal... (Ohhhh noooo!!!) So I called the original number. I did not get Michael this time, but someone named Jim, who sounded like a snake oil salesman. I told him I wanted to cancel, and He kept saying, "You don't wanna go and do that! Whay would you wanna go, and do that?!" I demanded that I get to speak to someone who can cancel this right now... I just no longer wanted it when I actually saw what all was involved. He exclaimed, "We're certified!!!
Well He could not help me with canceling, and referred me back to the patient advocate line. This time, I got someone... And had to leave my phone number, and the last four digits of my SS#... Geez... I don't rememeber giving that out to Michael. Well several hours later Deanna. Deannie. Someone by one of those names. Returns my call. She wanted to know why I was canceling. I told her that I no longer needed this program, and there was too much paperwork involved, and I did not feel could going through with it. She told me just to mail the package back. I asked her if I would get a refund, and she said, That will be up to the board of directors.
I tried to explain my plight, but she was talking over me... And it was turning into a full blown p — g contest. I wanted to explain that I had not received anything, and Michael had explain that the $80 was for the $50 application fee, and $30 for the first month's Rx. She snarled back that the whole $80 was for processing my information, and there was no fee for the Rx. I told her that I hadn't even mailed her the forms back, so she could process them. She stated that I would need to put everything in writing, and mail the packet back. "I've filled some of it out, " I whined. "White it out!" She snapped. (Talk about an advocate... With an advocate like this one... Who needs enemies???") She asked me if there was anything else??? I told her no, dejectedly.
And now I have called Brad, and left him a couple of messages... I have not seen him offer anyone here a refund... So it is kind of hopeless, but I am not quite at the end of my strategies yet... This may get ugly by the time I am through... I hope not.
I appreciate all of your prayers out there... Someone needs to stop this, before the elderly and disabled people get taken advantage of.
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