this has been a ongoing problem for years in my area
kat. i do not think it has much to do with the economy
turning. i had this problen in 1993 to this very day.
i have had to change 3-4 times. and the one i am in
now (hmo) has done the script changes every year for
the last 4 years.

--- "K. Salkin" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I got a rude awakening the other day regarding the
> reality of the economy,
> my HMO and my doctors.
>
> Last year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC (BCBSNC)
> bought out my HMO, Partners
> and our coverage switched over to BCBSNC the first
> of the year.  Since then
> I've had to get new scripts because BCBSNC took
> several of my meds off tier
> one ($10 copay) and put them in tier three ($40
> copay). Thus my script
> expenses went from $40 to $120 in less than a month.
>
> Last week I needed a new script so I called my
> doctor's office and asked to
> see my PA whom I'd been seeing for 20 years.  Turns
> out she's no longer
> there and I'd have to see one of the doctors. So I
> went in to see him.  No
> problem with him but I'd rather see a female for
> female problems. Turns out
> they had to lay off all the PAs in the practice
> because 70% of their
> patients are BCBSNC now and they pay less per
> patient than Partners did.
> They didn't know where my PA had gone and I am
> royally pissed.  I feel like
> I've been screwed.
>
> I'm thinking of going to another practice that has a
> female doctor but damn,
> I hate switching practices.   Damn the insurance
> company for doing this to
> me!  I can't switch to a more flexible plan because
> the premiums are a lot
> higher and the copays are higher.  Too expensive.
>
> Arrggghhhhhhhhh!!!
>
> Kat
>
>
> The trouble with practical jokes is that very often
> they get
> elected.   - Will Rogers


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM).
http://calendar.yahoo.com