This is another example of really dumb laws that need to exist because people do not understand how their health insurance works.

Today, I had a prescription refilled at Target, and when I arrived to pick it up, they informed me it was the generic.

“I don’t want the generic,” I said. “I want the brand name.”

“Well, your insurance doesn’t cover the brand name, so it’s expensive,” the pharmacist said.

“My insurance doesn’t cover prescriptions because I have a high deductible plan, so I pay full price, and my drugs count towards my deductible. I’ve been taking the brand name for two years. That’s what I want,” I said.

“Well, we can’t give you the brand name unless your doctor specifies it or you request it,” she said.

“Okay. I request it.”

“Okay. Well, I’m not sure if we have any, so let me check. I can probably have that ready for you in about 40 minutes,” she told me.

“Forty minutes?” I asked. “I called this afternoon, and you said it would be ready in 10 minutes. It’s 7:30.”

“Yes, but state law requires us to fill with the generic unless you request the brand name. It’s to protect you and help save you money,” she said. “The brand name is $84.”

“Right. And the generic is $57, and I have a coupon for the brand name that makes it $25, so that law doesn’t help me at all, now does it?”

“Um…”

“In fact, I think if I didn’t know any better,” I continued, “it would have cost me $30, and either way, it’s going to cost me 40 minutes, which is ridiculous.”

She just stared at me. I think I hurt her feelings. It’s not easy being right all the time.

This crazy trip has got me feelin’: knowledgeable
And I’m singin’ along to: I Think Ur A Contra – Vampire Weekend