I am a disabled man who fell from a 4th storey building about 6 months ago. I had a difficult surgery and implanted metals at 3 of my spine bones. I am in a lot of pain and still walk with a cane. As a result of this accident, I recieve Medicare and Madical.
I saw a pain control doctor and received two medications for severe pain in ONE prescription. I took this to Holly Cross Pharmacy located at the doctor's building lobby. I spoke with the pharmacist named, KATHY to fill my RX. Kathy claimed that she had the 1st medication available in her store and Medicare accepted to pay for it in full. She stated she needed to order the second pain meds and I had to come back in 3 business days to pick it up.
I went back to the pharmacy, taking buses and walking with a cane and lots of pain, hoping to get my main medicine. When I got there, Kathy told me that Medicare was denying to pay for my medicine. I asked her respectfuly and nicely, if she could kindly talk to medicare's customer service since I was also receiving Extra Help, meaning that my copayment should by a maximum of $6.50 and no more. She refused and told me to call them myself which I did. I spoke to Katrina at 800-922-1557, ext. 6108 and she assured me that due to the nature of my insurance policy, the pharmacist should bill "Medicaid" and not "Medicare". It took her about 1/2 hour to reach to this conclusion.
When I explained the above fact to kathy, the pharmacist, she said she WOULD NOT bill anything else except "Medicare". I made no threats, never raised my voice, never called her any names. I even told her that I would pay her in cash and may be I could get a refund in the future from the insurance company. Now, Kathy refused to fill in the RX even if I would PAY FOR IT in cash... She said: "After waiting for you 1/2 hour to talk to an agent, I will not fill your RX." Without any more words, she walked away from me with my prescription in her hand. I asked her coworkers where did she go, but they said I should just wait til she comes back. I waited about 10 minutes and when Kathy came back, she told me that the doctor has WITHDRAWN my second medication and will never see me again! I asked her what took place? Kathy told me that she saw the doctor's receptionist, contacted the doctor by phone and has got the 2nd medicine off of my Prescription. She explained this with a big smile displaying happiness and joy for what she has done.
It took me 2 and 1/2 hours in 3 buses to travel from my aptmnt at Beverly Hills to go to Mission Hills and another 2 and 1/2 hours to go back home, without my medicine. During the whole scenario, the pharmacist stayed unhelpful, raising her voice, talking in a disrespectful manner, inconsiderate and unethical. Why she would not even take my CASH and give me my medicine? This was an act of revenge too, since at start I did not offer paying cash and tried to get my insurance to pay for it.
I am now in a lot of pain and the doctor is not returning my calls. I have no idea what she has told to the doctor that he does not even want to see me again. I hope this could never happen to anyone else.
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