OMG - I HATE insurance companies!
I wrote last week about my husband's health problem. Well, first off he's doing much better. But he ruptured his appendix on Thanksgiving morning and didn't realize it. Last Wednesday I took him to our regular GP's office, got a CT scan, and he was sent to a surgeon on Thursday. Friday morning he got a CT scan with an interventionist radiologist who put in three drains in some of the abscesses he had from the crud out of the appendix.
He spent Friday through Monday at the hospital then they sent him home with supplies to flush the drains. Problem is, they didn't add up the amount of supplies right and I am almost out of the saline needed.
I figured, no problem, it's saline and while I didn't expect our regular pharmacy to have it, I thought I could get it at a surgical supply place. When I called, I was told they had to have prior approval from the insurance company. I called them and was told the doctor had to get the approval and it would take 24 hours. 24 hours is too long - that would mean we'd skip several of the prescribed flushes and take a chance on the drains clogging, maybe causing more infection.
I went off on the insurance company woman and basically told her that if my husband ends up back in the hospital it will be her fault and the insurance company would have to pay through the nose for his care.
FOUR hours later I am still waiting to hear from the doctor's office about where they got approval to get the saline.
It's fucking SALINE, for fuck's sake! It's not as if we are trying to get a controlled substance or an antibiotic that could be misused. It's sterile water and SALT. 
Add to my frustration is that I needed a shower this morning but I have been making calls or waiting on call backs all damn day. So when I do find out where to go to get the saline, I will have to go with greasy hair and stinky body.
We need SANE healthcare in this country. I've used more time of the people at the pharmacies, insurance company, and doctor's office that it would cost to go out and buy on fucking bottle of saline solution. Add in my time and the total amount of time wasted cost more than several cases of saline solution.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I missed something! so it was his appendix - and ruptured! oh man. and you don't like nursing humans. oh brother, sure hope you both are doing better!
for next time: vet supply 
And although we have insurance it was simpler to just pay for it. I WILL send a copy of the receipt to the insurance company for reimbursement but I had no energy or time for the battle that day. It was less than $12 for a one liter bottle - more saline than we needed but all the pharmacy had.
This town doesn't have a local vet supply. Best choice is Jeffers in Dothan but that is either a long drive or overnight delivery. Second best is Tractor Supply but they didn't list sterile saline on their site.
As far as my husband goes, he hates needles and he knew that going to the doctor would probably mean some sort of shots. I got him back, though - when checking him in at the hospital they were concerned he hadn't had flu or pneumonia shots so I told them to give him both while he was at their mercy. 
It's a good thing he's in pretty good health, otherwise I would be a widow by now.
on the shots. 
