Navigating the Chaos of American Health Insurance
Written on
Chapter 1: The Anxiety of Healthcare Costs
The frustration surrounding healthcare in America is overwhelming. I find myself feeling anxious and distressed as I navigate the complexities of insurance policies.
American Health Insurance Struggles
The struggle with health insurance is real. Recently, I discovered that my Trulicity shots for diabetes are back-ordered everywhere, leaving me without a critical medication. My doctor has reverted to Victoza, an older medication I had previously taken. However, the pharmacy informed me that Victoza costs a staggering $656. This amount, coupled with the $370 for my Dulera, feels insurmountable, especially considering Hamid's weekly income is around $480. It's hard to fathom prioritizing medication over basic necessities like food and housing.
To make matters worse, I encountered a significant hiccup with my Jardience medication. After being on it for nearly two years, my insurance provider, Aetna, suddenly required prior authorization. In a baffling twist, Aetna had to override their own system to approve a prescription for a medication they had already covered. The absurdity of this situation left me reeling.
Our insurance policy includes a $575 annual prescription deductible and a $1500 maximum out-of-pocket expense for both Hamid and me. Despite our efforts to manage costs, I learned that our out-of-pocket expenses on generic medications had not been credited toward our deductible. This realization pushed me to tears, amplifying my anxiety.
The copay for Trulicity was manageable, but Victoza's expense is crushing. The phone calls to customer service, while met with sympathetic responses, have yielded no real solutions. I’ve spent countless hours trying to resolve these issues, filing yet another appeal—this being the seventh for the year. The process feels endless, and the uncertainty is unbearable.
Section 1.1: The Burden of Appeals
Navigating the appeals process has become a full-time job. With each appeal, I hope to have my expenditures recognized. However, the reality is that it could take weeks to see any resolution.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Impact on Daily Life
This video, "Desperation Band - My God (Lyrics)," echoes my feelings of despair as I confront these challenges. The lyrics resonate with the frustration and urgency I feel regarding my healthcare situation.
Section 1.2: Living with Uncertainty
Staying within my controlled environment has been necessary since I haven't been able to acquire my Dulera. The last time I fought for it, I faced dire health consequences, including pneumonia. Now, without Trulicity, I'm left in a precarious situation, unable to afford the combined costs of Victoza and Dulera.
Chapter 2: A Call for Change
The second video, "SANCTUS REAL | MY GOD IS STILL THE SAME," serves as a reminder that despite these struggles, hope persists. I urge readers to consider the larger implications of our healthcare system—where profit often supersedes care.
In this uniquely American healthcare nightmare, I find myself feeling abandoned by the very system I pay into. The indifference of insurance companies towards my plight is disheartening. I encourage readers to insert their own frustrations into this narrative, as we collectively seek a better healthcare experience.
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Author's personal logo, created in Adobe Illustrator
- Denise Dianaty is an artist, art photographer, poet, writer-activist, and self-published author. Much of her poetry is autobiographical or related to activism. Her essays focus on advocating for a just and equitable society.
Denise's first published work is an eBook of poetry titled, My Life In Poetry. She also has a paranormal romance eBook, The Dance Plays On…
Denise is the owner/editor of the WE PAW Bloggers publication, an exclusive platform for members of the Facebook group, WE PAW Bloggers, aimed at fostering support among writers. Join the community to engage with fellow creatives on their writing journeys.