Ruth has been having some serious health issues over the past couple of weeks. As a result I have missed my last three blog deadlines. Things are moving forward and most of her health problems are resolved. We are hoping for a resolution to the remaining issue in the very near future.
As we have worked towards a resolution, we discovered a couple of issues within the corporate world that I’d like to share.
Migraine Headaches
Ruth has experienced migraine headaches for a long time. She fortunately found relief in a prescription drug that has proven effective for many years. She’s avoided these headaches for the most part with only an occasional problem.
During her recent health scare the migraines have returned in full force. The old tried and true medication has failed her. After making three trips to the emergency room over a nine-day period, she received a new prescription for an alternative medication. The order was sent to Pharmacy C but they didn’t have the meds and wouldn’t have them for five days. When we were told that they were “out of stock” we were also told that our prescription plan didn’t cover them, and that when filled, the cost would be $93.68.
“Fill it.”
The next night we returned to the emergency room for a fourth time. This time the hospital issued a paper prescription so that we could explore other pharmacy options for immediate help.
The following morning we called Pharmacy W and were told that they had the medication in stock. When I presented the prescription to the pharmacy they informed me, “It’s not covered by your plan.” I told them to fill it anyway. They apologized for the high cost and presented me with twenty pills and an invoice for $26.36.
This morning we were contacted by Pharmacy C and told that Ruth’s original prescription was ready. We decided to go to the pharmacy to make sure that the original order costing $93.68 was the same as the one filled by Pharmacy W at a much lower cost. It wasn’t. The medicine was the same formula, however the cost was not. Pharmacy C had a package of nine pills for pick-up with a bill for $93.68. Pharmacy C was charging about $10.00 for the same pill that Pharmacy W charged $1.30.
When you are ill, you want help. You’ll pay anything to anybody who can provide a solution. We are among the fortunate ones who do have the funds to pay for our medication, but it seems to me that the cost shouldn’t vary so much.
Add Cell Phones to the List
I have relied on my phone for several key phone conversations during Ruth’s illness. I need it to function properly all of the time. I was having problems with my phone so I bought a new one today.
I had taken it to three different locations over the past couple of days to seek help, but no one could provide the assistance that I required. I was told three times that my phone had a virus and I had two options: 1. Wipe my old phone clean and start over. (This meant that I would lose everything on my current phone.) 2. Buy a new phone and transfer my pictures, videos, contacts, and save countless important items. (This was the more costly but efficient option.) I chose door number two. I believed it to be the safe option. Wrong!!! After they transferred my information I lost all of my pictures and videos. They blamed it on the virus.
The phone I purchased is the newest generation of my old phone. I thought the learning curve would be easy. So far, no good.
I was also told that “We are going to wave your $30.00 upgrade fee. I see that your wife qualifies for an upgrade too. We can wave her $30.00 fee as well. That will save you a total of $60.00.” (The company wanted to charge me for the right to purchase a new phone at a cost as high as $1,000, however, lucky me got my $30.00 upgrade fee waived.)
“My wife phones fine. She’s sick, but her phone is great.”
I’ve never purchased cell phone insurance before, but this time I opted in. One of the sales points was a “free app” with “free 24 hour tech support” to walk you through any problems. “Once you are sure that your new phone is working properly, you can drop the coverage.”
When I returned home I was having difficulty accessing my business email so I contacted the “free 24 hour tech support”. I got Chengia from Tennessee as my helper. We exchanged several texts over a twenty-minute period. I sent a text, waited a minute or two, and then received the message, “This is Chengia from Tennessee, how may I help you?”
I replied immediately and waited two minutes more for, “How are you today? How may I help you?”
I retyped the same question, waited two more minutes, and got something like, “This is Chengia from Tennessee and I want to help you resolve this issue. I am sorry that you are having this problem.”
Then I wrote, “Don’t be sorry. Start helping. What should I do?”
After two more minutes. “Are you to locate the email app?”
“Yes, but I can’t get it to open. That’s why I’m contacting you. What should I do?”
After two minutes, “This is Chengia from Tennessee and my shift gets over in ten minutes.”
“Ok, so what should I be doing so that you can help me?”
Two minutes later, “Have you tried clearing your cashe?”
“My cash was cleared earlier to today when I bought the phone.”
“Well, I’m going to have to transfer you to customer support because my shift is about to end. You’ll be receiving a text so that you may evaluate my performance today. I hope that you found my assistance satisfactory. Have a good evening.”
Needless to say, Chengia from Tennessee did not receive a favorable rating. On a scale of 1 – 5, I gave him/her a rating of -5. I must have cleared my cashe (whatever that is) though, because the next morning my business emails started rolling in.
Blueberry Pie
Our Florida neighbors have been particularly helpful during Ruth’s illness. They’ve offered support in several ways including the preparation of meals. Our refrigerator and stomachs are full because of their generosity .
As the meals kept coming I had a flashback to a time about 30 – 35 years ago. One of my teachers, Diane, was in a terrible car accident. She almost lost her life, had a broken neck, was in the hospital for an extended period, and when she was released she was in a halo brace attached to her head for several months.
Diane’s husband, Buck, received daily inquiries about Diane and her condition. Buck viewed most of the questions as people being nosey, looking for information that they could share with others. Most of the inquiries came from women. Many of them hadn’t spoken to Buck in several years. They were looking for “the latest update” and softened their inquiries with the question, “Do you need anything?”
At first Buck just said “no” but after considering his options he offered up a request for help.
About the time that Diane was released from the hospital, Buck told me of his frustration with the several inquiries. He also told me that he had discovered a way to slow the phone calls down.
“Whenever anyone calls and asks what I need, I tell them “a blueberry pie”. Diane, the kids, and I are set for a while because I have about twenty-five pies in the freezer.”
Buck was one of those “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” kind of guys.
So sorry to hear that Ruth has been ill. Wish I could call you or her for an update…not being nosey. Sent her a message on fb.
Please give Ruth my best and let her know she’s now on my prayer list. I hope she is well soon.
Thanks. She’s over the hump.