Once again, Aetna is trying to keep me from being able to walk

[klwilliams]

As many of you know, I have MS, which dramatically affects my ability to walk. At one point, before I started taking Tecfidera, I could walk about ten steps at a time, and could only work from home. After a year and a half on this new drug, I can now walk upright for up to a block at a time, stand up with only minimal stiffness, and work in an office quite easily. But, Tecfidera is expensive.

February seems to be Aetna's month to screw with patients. It was February last year that they started this game, too, and this February they began by making me move from using the good Specialty Pharmacy, that it, Walgreen's, to using their own. Then, after the first delivery, which meant a lot of extra inconvenience but otherwise went smoothly, they decided to start denying my authorization for the drug. After a week of this, I still have no reason, even though my doctor's wonder nurse who can solve every problem was told everything was fine (except it's not). So it looks like they're going to keep playing this game, and my pill supply is running out. I have pills until Monday. Will I be able to walk on Tuesday?

AEtna sucks.

Comments

[lifeofglamour.livejournal.com]

Argh. Not this shit again!

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

This is just unspeakable.

There's no use for insurance industry since they don't, you know, pay the benefits you pay them to deliver.

Love, C.

[wild-irises.livejournal.com]

This. Good luck!

[aberwyn.livejournal.com]

I've tweeted nastily about Aetna.

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

This is unbelievable. Bastards.

Couple things to try

[(Anonymous)]

1) Sometimes they will make an exception (usually for a year) if your doctor appeals a decision and states that the drug you're on is the only one that helps you.

2) Sometimes you can contact a Senator (or Representative) and tell them the situation and they might be able to help you get what you need (depends on who you have).

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

We can also tweet the hell out of this. I played games every single year with one insurance company, Karen--they would "forget" the crossover between medical and Rx. I hope your doctor keeps on them, hard!

Sounds like it is time for #KarenMuses again.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I just pinged @AetnaHelp with a Tweet.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I have been tweeting about this (as have many friends), and have emailed @AetnaHelp about the problem. The more pressure, the more likely a fast and good resolution.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

So did I.

[tiger-spot.livejournal.com]

Oh, the jerks. I'm sorry. I hope it gets resolved quickly.

[pennski.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear this. Hope it gets sorted out for you very quickly.

[elizabeth algernon branscum (from livejournal.com)]

I have been using Tecfidera for 5 months now for my MS; I was on monthly Tysabri infusions going on 4 years. Techfidera is a drug that works! Shame on greedy, wealthy people/Corporations who knowingly cause others suffering just to save a buck! Everyone should have access to the exact same healthcare regardless of what insurance they posses

[goldenmug.livejournal.com]

And people get all wound up about how Obamacare means government bureaucrats getting between the patient and the doctor, who currently (I hear) make the right medical decisions without interference.

Tell me are there ANY good US health insurance companies?

God knows, the NHS has its major flaws and it's feeling the price of drugs and the usual demographic pressures, but it does lack the organised hostility towards the sick which seems to dominate the funding decisions of the US healthcare system. Our government "social security" system OTOH, has been taking lessons from Unum for years.

Good luck Karen, let's hope they're just messing you around in an attempt to make you give up.

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they seem to be jerking me around, but the Twitter storm is having a positive effect. Aetna has people actively watching their Twitter account (which is why I use @aetna rather than #aetna, since the first one goes directly to them), and they actually help people, and quickly.

[branna.livejournal.com]

"Organized hostility towards the sick." That completely sums it up.

[darcyjavanne.livejournal.com]

So much for patients' rights. I'm so sorry Aetna is so useless!

[branna.livejournal.com]

Karen, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this again! Insurance companies have a bad habit of aging out their prior authorizations without warning.

No twitter account, but I will gladly share on Facebook if you'd like me to.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

I've linked your post on my Twitter feed: @MeSaare. I'm so sorry these insensitive greedy B**** are trying this on - again.

[ms-cataclysm.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry -and just when you've started your new job too.

This is what Aetna did to my wife

[(Anonymous)]

This is what Aetna did to my wife.
http://bit.ly/1wpsoyW
Please help by re-tweeting to @rfsull,@mtbert @Aetna @Aetnahelp