Denying Your Medical Care is Big Business in America

return2ozma@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 428 points –
Opinion | ‘What’s My Life Worth?’ The Big Business of Denying Medical Care
nytimes.com
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The fact that whether or not I get medical care is almost completely determined by whatever insurance company I have at any given time is so depressing.

I have thankfully been pretty healthy in my life but the few times I've actually needed help I have been told to go fuck myself pretty much every time by my insurance and since I'm not a millionaire I can't afford anything that's not covered. Don't even get me started on the Russian roulette at the doctor's office where anything can cost seemingly any amount at any time and no one has any damn clue until the bill's arrived.

So whether or not I need the help really doesn't matter at the end of the day most times. All that matters is if the insurance company is feeling nice or not.

My doctor diagnosed me with a b-12 deficiency. Something easily fixed with a shot she prescribed.

The pharmacist looked at me like I was a drug addict when I asked where the needle for the injection was when I picked up the scrip. "Just have the doctor do it".

Fee for randomly showing up to my doctor to get the shot? $0

Fee for getting the shot done when I was actively at a scheduled check up? $130

I take an oral supplement instead now that's not quite as effective.

Go to your local co-op or tractor supply, or order online. We always have hundreds stocked here on the farm for the animals, and they're cheaper and literally the same thing as the stuff used for humans, usually from the same companies and factories.

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Needles are legal over the counter in my state as they should be. But I’ve had so many pharmacists pull shit about me buying them. Like first of all motherfucker you just saw me buy a vial of estradiol, but even if you didn’t I know I’d rather addicts shoot up with new needles on a purely selfish basis of it prevents disease from spreading. Anyways I buy online in bulk from a medical supplier now, it’s just easier

Yeah, it was absolutely crazy to me. I know several diabetics who would be given a needle for their insulin... But they acted like I was going to shoot up some smack after they literally handed me B-12 to inject.

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