I got this email this past week…
Steve, Hello my name is K.S. and I live in Fl. I am on Medicare disability. I had a broken arm (elbow) years ago.Decided to go with surgery and Became paralyzed at the time from the neck down and on life support. Thank God I survived after many hospital visits and seeing specialists in New York and Miami.I have Syringomyelia now, Central pain syndrome,CRPS,& My right arm / the broken one is now partiality paralyzed and at the wrist hangs backwards, Horners Syndrome. But I can now walk.But The pain I live with daily is EXCRUCIATING! I have had so many problems getting my pain medication filled at a pharmacy that will either take my Insurance. I have been approved thru them( humana PDP) for my medication , or a pharmacy that will take me & my insurance.A small pharmacy near my house WILL NOT TAKE INSURANCE, its $1800.00 a month to fill. I was advised go thru mail order. So I take humanas advise. My doctor had to get pre authorization, for two months RIGHTSOURCE RX, filled my medication I finally felt a weight lifted, I can’t keep paying for my medication but without it, I have No quality of life! Well on the 3rd month. Actually just this month, they said they can no longer fill my medication, I need to see a pharmacy face to face, DEA, Cant send narcotics to Florida, Every excuse. I tried talking to Anyone and everyone possib lle. I was even told they hired a new set of techs & pharmacists and my getting my medications filled for two months slipped thru the cracks.I’ve called humana and otold them this is Humana Rightsource mailorder pharmacy, can anyone help me or point me in a direction to get help. Nothing. What do u do.I just don’t know where to go next. I told them anyone who sees my medical records can see I am in pain I will be like this the rest of my life, I want to be able to have a better quality of life. I’m on medicare Disabilty for a reason.I would appreciate any advise you can give.
As far as I can find out.. Right Source Rx is owned or subsidiary of Humana.. and IMO.. if Humana has contracted to provide this patient with healthcare services under Medicare Advantage .. which is basically a HMO type of insurance. So isn’t it Humana’s responsibility to make sure that the people that they are collecting premiums for under Medicare and from the FEDS.. that they get the services that would be commonly referred to as “best practices”.. So is Humana violating this particular pt’s civil rights under ADA… denying medically necessary services/products.. or is it just a simple case of patient abuse or neglect ?
Or is this statement by a DEA spokesperson a lie or just wishful thinking…
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is not trying to limit or ration access to opioid painkillers, according to a DEA spokesman who says “nothing should stand in the way” of a patient getting a legitimate prescription for pain medication filled.
“We’re not doctors. We’re regulators and enforcers of the law. If something is prescribed for a legitimate medical purpose, we’re certainly not going to get in the way,” said DEA spokesman Rusty Payne.
Or is Humana just denying this patient proper medical care and blaming their actions or lack of actions on the DEA ?
Or just those patients that require control meds, have “subjective diseases” or just are costly pts.. they are being viewed as a “nail” and the system acts like a “hammer”
Filed under: General Problems
This is abuse of a person disabled with severe intractable pain. Whoever collects this persons premium for health insurance should be responsible for getting the medications the doctor orders to this suffering person. The reason why this suffering person needs these medications is to live a somewhat normal life and escape the suffering this person is living with. Its my understanding that any person disabled with chronic pain ,cancer, or any type illness should receive the proper medications and treated like a human and not a dying animal that would otherwise be euthanized. It seems Americans that are suppose to be living in a free Country are not free of the chronic pain that confines them to their home if its under a bridge or in a home or apartment. Now days people cant leave their home because of ongoing chronic pain , these people cant get any type of medication filled adding to a already horrible life of never ending severe suffering. This is a very sad story , unrealistic way to treat a human being withholding much needed medications so they don’t have to suffer their life away.
For Heavens sakes help this man, this is sickening .
I appreciate your thoughtful response. My heart breaks for this person who has suffered so much. Lord, please provide relief for this person and those that have to not only deal with pain and illness but discrimination. Led the disabled to find the help they need to get their prescription medication. Please forgive those that force frustration and pain by refusing to help. Forgive THOSE that discriminate against the disabled and force patients not to be able to follow the physicians orders for medicine compliance. In Jesus’s name I pray.