My Mom was sent to a specialist because it was suspected her UTI hadn't cleared up. The specialist prescribed an antibiotic which costs $100 a pill (x10 = $1000 to treat her UTI).
This is AFTER insurance paid half. These pills are $200 each. I was floored.
I only find this out because my sister tells me about it. I call Dad and ask why this particular prescription instead of something less expensive. He had no answers so I told him I'd look into it. Luckily, he hadn't picked up the prescription yet.
When I call the specialist, I am told they could not give me any information until Mom called them and gave them permission to share her case with me. I understand such things are private so Mom calls and gives permission.
I call back and the receptionist tells me she'll talk to the nurse for me. Two hours later, the nurse calls me to say Mom's test just got back and it was negative so she'll not need to take the expensive prescription.
I hang up relieved but wish I'd asked:
1. Why was she prescribed something so expensive?
2. Why was she prescribed anything before her test results?
Seriously, has anyone found their parents being taken advantage of? I fear this doctor was getting some kind of benefit for prescribing this particular antibiotic. I'm tempted to call back and see if I can get any answers. It sounds very fishy to me.
When my mom was struggling with both c-diff and uti, I remember discussion that the next pill they would try, if they had to, was over $100 per day. Yikes! I honestly can't remember if they had to go to that drug or which infection it was for. But I remember how miserable Mom was, and how much we hoped there was SOMETHING that would cure her.
If the UTI is recurrent or chronic a doc may put their patient on a daily low dose of antibiotic (expensive.
Doctors do not check the price of drugs.They prescribe what they feel will be most beneficial and appropriate for their patient.
The pharmacy will generally substitute a generic equivalent if available as it's a must under new insurance dictates unless the physician request specifies "no substitute".
Drugs are usually covered by your insurance.Places like walmart allow qualified individuals to obtain costly drugs for well under pharmaceutical recommendations of price though most will be generic.
Are doctors scammers? Some are and some are compensated for distributing certain brands.
However most physicians are no longer independant contractors but work the umbrella of large companies who dictate the time spent with a patient, the drugs their doctors should recommend etc. in return for malpractice coverage I suspect.
Large companies have calls farmed out to independant contractors.
Presciptions to one, appointments to another etc.They are not always in the same office, city or state.Often calls and call backs are automated, wait in a cue for an automated scripted response or "for the next operator" to return it.
They have little knowledge on their screen of the clients conditionmed history or diagnosis.
They read the script.
Talk with your druggist when in doubt over meds or cost. I find them to be more helpful and informative than the medical offices.
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