SO MAD! I tried to play the system and GOT played!!!

[persia927]

I've been trying to figure out how to get phen cheaper than what I'm paying at a weight loss clinic ($125 per month for the office visit, not including the pills). I found that a lot of you only pay co-pays, so I sought out to find a doctor who might write a phen script for me and submit to my ins. I had the BRILLIANT idea to post an ad on Craigslist (since it's local) asking if anyone knew of a doctor who prescribed phen and submitted to insurance as something else (that's covered). Lo and behold, I got one response from someone providing a doctor's name and saying he submitted to insurance as fatigue. So I made an appt.

I got there today, only to find the doctor was out sick. They were "supposed" to call me to reschedule but I somehow got missed. I had to see a different doctor (an old fuddy duddy doctor). So I start telling this random doctor about how I'm so tired and fatigued and get out of breath and I know it's due to my recent weight gain after having a baby (I gained almost 100 lbs with my pregnancy). I told him I took phen before after my first daughter and was down to a size 4 (true story). I kept hoping he'd suggest trying phen again. When I realized he wasn't getting the hint, I finally just asked. I barely got the question out of my mouth and he cut me off and said "No. I haven't prescribed phentermine in 20 years and I'm not going to break that record today".

I'm SOOOO mad. I know I was trying to be sneaky and I can't be mad that it backfired, but I took off work and drove all the way out there for nothing. What sux is I have a feeling the other doctor would have said yes. I wasn't there to see Dr. Fuddy Duddy, it was a wasted trip. Back to the drawing board.

[Jimswife]

Persia,

That is crazy!!! They should be happy you want to try something as inexpensive as phen, rather than some expensive surgery. Your insurance should pay. I pay a 5.00 copay. My initial visit was 25.00, my copay and I get weighed and vitals each month for 10.00.

That office visit price is outrageous. They probably know they have a corner on the market. I'm sorry you are going through this. Do you have a family doctor that will work with you? If you gained 100lbs during pregnancy, your BMI along with increased health risks, should qualify you for the pill.

I don't understand why the make it so hard for us

[Xotiq1]

Thats nuts.. but then again I can't find a doctor in my area that will give you a script for phen. The only places that offer it by me are weight loss clinics and they charge you an arm and leg just for the consultation. The place I go to is in another state and they charge me $75 a visit that includes 2 wks of the meds... it's starting to get a little pricey..

But Persia some regular doctors will prescribe the phen if you are 100lbs overweight.. you should try calling around.

[AirsoftWidow]

Oh, what an ugly story. (((Persia))) Keep trying, you'll find a doctor eventually. I use Walgreen's prescription plan (no insurance) and it makes a significant difference to the bill. Good luck!

[Iceman]

Hmmmmph I'm so mad this doctor wouldn't help me commit insurance fraud. I know it's wrong but. I want it, I want it, I want it.

Befor anyone gets mad.
Think about what she just said. Go back and read it.

[OOlala]

That's desparation and I can totally understand it. My family doctor couldn't give a rats *** and basically told me " If I knew the cure for weightloss I would be rich" and that was that ! So then I look over my insurance policy... here is what it says * weightloss for over all health or vanity reasons NOT COVERED * So basically you have to be so far gone health wise diabetes etc... before you can get help.... how stupid is that!!! Why not help people BEFORE it gets to that point??!! Luckily I did find a weightloss clinic where they don't look down on you and aren't judgemental and are WILLING to help for the long term.

[OOlala]

That's the whole point of the weightloss clinic.. someone to help for an extended period of time.. so there is no yo-yo. It's a legit place... I filled my prescription at the pharmacy.
What is your problem anyway?? Why are you even here if you're going to be so nasty??
Jesus people are just trying to lose weight.... go somewhere else and be a *****.. SHEESH!

[SassyGirl]

Jasp, your not going to like what I have to say but I'm going to give it to you straight..

People come here for support and not to be told what they are doing is wrong! Sure, no one wants to hear the truth because it hurts. I get the impression that you think what you say is gospel and your right and everyone else is wrong.

While I can respect your opinion from a personal and professional perspective, why is it your mission to tell people how you feel and what they are doing wrong?

You seem so worried about what others are doing. That energy would be more productive if you put it into yourself. People have been repeat phen users before you came and will be repeat users long after you are gone. I am guilty of it myself to some extent. However, seems like you have made it your mission to seek people out and why do you care?

I am not saying this to be nasty, but I notice your tone is not always pleasant. You constantly pass judgement regardless if you admit it or not. You give off an air of what I say is right and anything else is wrong. Sure people abuse phentermine and you do have very valid points in your post, but you come across as preaching and having a self-rightous attitude.

I always know when I read your post it's only to knock someone off their high horse or to justify why you take phentermine. Your feelings are your feelings, but don't try to shove them on others because they are your feelings. Dr. have been doing this for years. You may not like it, but that's the way it is. So quit trying to ruffle feathers and be supportive if you can.

[JustaRandomGirl]

Originally Posted by Jasp

This has nothing to do with judging someone. No one is looking down on you. They are following the law and I don't know of too many doctors at least where I'm from that will jeopardize their licence or assume the risks to make a quick buck.

For many this is a way of life. Gain a couple of lbs pop a pill. I bet if someone did a poll on how many repeat users are on here I bet it would be almost 80%

I'm also sure that for the many that do have the health reasons and meet the criteria can get a bit upset because it's getting harder for family doctors to prescribe this.

As for the comment about "That you have to be so far gone before they will help you" There is a reason for this. BENEFITS OUTWEIGH RISKS. You don't have to have a secondary health issue just a BMI of >30 If you DO have a secondary health issue then they lower the BMI to 28.

As for the weight lost clinic not looking down on you and giving you what you want.....LOL they see dollar signs that's all. I also bet you don't walk out with a script they supply the meds to you.....Very easy to lose records for a patient that developed a problem when everything is done in house (I've seen it done. I have also seen doctors lose their licences for back door dealing)....The only icing on the cake would be if you said you had to pay cash and got your pills in a little white envelope. I also bet you've been on them before to lose weight. Think about it, how healthy is it to yo yo diet?

But aren't you taking diet pills now and didn't you say that you have taken them before?

It seems like you are ridiculing people for what they are doing while at the same time doing it yourself.

Yes, the girl who started this thread went about it the wrong way, but she acknowledged that. Her goal is to lose weight just like the rest of us. She and many others made appointments specifically to obtain diet pills. She was only trying to find a way to get them cheaper and I can't blame her.

The times that you have been on diet pills, didn't you go the doctor for that first appointment with that in mind?

[mvanhara]

ya, I only pay my copay every month for my visit ($20), and $15 for the pills at a local pharmacy. I went to the appt expecting to pay the full amount for the doctors visit ,because my friend has the same insurance, and went for the exact same thing...phen/weightloss, and had to pay more than just the copay. But to my surprise....it only cost me $20. I later found out that everyone now pays the basic $20 copay because it's generally filed to insurance as fertility concerns. If you are over weight, you aren't as fertile. So if you get prescribed phen, and get your weight down, you will naturally become for fertile. My doctor prescribes phen very often, however he isn't a sleezeball in the slightest. Hes very big on preventative care....and obesity contributes to tons of health problems later on down the road, so he sees phen as a preventative measure to get the weight off and minimize the odds of further health issues in the future. Hope you can understand what I'm trying to say....my baby kept me up all night, so I"m not quite 100% today!

[SassyGirl]

Jasp, thank you for clarifying that. Phen abuse is a very sensitive subject for you and now I understand why.

Not to be petty, but I beg to differ; post do have a tone just as e-mails do.
I am in no way trying to make you out to be raged person, but your post on phentermine abuse have a tone unlike your other post and now I understand why.

[JustaRandomGirl]

I am worried about keeping up with the exercise once I stop taking it. So, yes, any information on how to combat this would be helpful. When I first got on these, the doc told me I have a normal, but "sluggish" thyroid.

Is there a supplement or something that I should take once I stop phen?

[persia927]

Hi guys! Sorry, had a busy day, didn't expect to see so many replies on here! I saw Jasp comment about starting another thread... Jasp, I really hope you check back in and hear what I have to say...

You made a LOT of assumptions from my thread that really weren't fair to me and my character as a member of this site. there are times we all need to vent and sometimes the guys and gals on this site are the only ones who understand what we're going through. sometimes venting may be irrational, i know there was a chance that what i was doing would not work, but when i come here, i may want to blame Dr. Fuddy Duddy and know that I won't be called a "drug seeker". We don't come here to be preached at by someone who is here for the same reason as us. lighten up. (iceman, this part applies to you too)

my responses to some of your comments...

your age comment: i don't know how old you are, but I'm not a child either. I don't appreaciate the insinuation that I have "yet to obtain" the wisdom you have. You say there is no negative tone to your message, but in what way can that comment be taken as anything but condescending?

Your phentermine abuse comment: again, you seem to insinuate that I'm just looking to shed 10 or 15 pounds and am some kind of pill popping phen addict. My bmi is over 30, thank you very much.

regarding my goal, FYI, I was a size 4 just last year, so kill me for wanting to fit into my clothes again. I never said I wanted to get back into a 4. Would it be nice? yes. Can I set that as my goal if I want to, yes. If I get down to a size 10 or 8 or 6 will I be happy? yes. you assume i'm just yo-yoing and looking for a magic pill to do the work for me. I HAD A BABY!!!!!

You should really be careful using the term "phentermine abuse". my bmi is over 30. i'm one of the ones who "needs" it. that phrase is hurtful and divisive.

I think your comments are easy for you to make considering you pay $15 for your office visit. I bet if you paid $125 per visit, you might try to get creative and find ways to pay cheaper for it to. I pay over $200 a month for my insurance premium and have no-copay with it, and it's frustrating that obesity is not covered with my insurance. it's nice that your insurance covers it, but i checked and mine doesn't. so it's $125/month or nothing.

I did not walk in and ask for pills immediately. I gave the condensed version of the story to you guys. It is true that I am tired and I get out of breath easily when walking due to my weight, and that's what I told him. I mentioned that I took phen in the past just to see his reaction, hoping he's offer to let me go on phen again. i didn't flat out ask until i could tell the appt was about to end and i had nothing to lose by then.

I have done the research. Why do you assume I have not? Due to having the baby, I am out of paid time off from my job. I don't have time to visit 10 doctors until I find one that will prescribe phen after I state my case. not this year anyway, maybe after january when I get new vacation/personal leave for the year. maybe it wasn't the best plan in the world that i went in there the way i did, but it was definitely worth a shot. i still think it was a pretty creative plan and will wonder what "would have" happened if the other doctor was there that day.

I find it ironic that in one message you say things like "I also bet you've been on them before to lose weight. Think about it, how healthy is it to yo yo diet?" and "For many this is a way of life. Gain a couple of lbs pop a pill. I bet if someone did a poll on how many repeat users are on here I bet it would be almost 80%". Then scroll down and you say "I've been on them since I have been 18 and went off of them at 27 used them again at 33 and now". Can anyone say hypocrite????

i may not have as many posts as you because I do more reading than writing on here. i don't feel like i always HAVE to be heard. 400 posts in 5 months does not make you an expert. you're welcome to your own opinion, we all are, that's why we're here. so i have to respect that. but also please respect me and the others here that don't agree with you. you did a bad job reading between the lines and making assumptions.

i'm here for support. you had some valid points, but perhaps you should find a way to express them without making the other person feel like you're practcally calling them a crack-head. MY age has brought me wisdom as well, and with that I've learned this: if one person disagrees with me, fine, it's a difference of opinion, so be it. if multiple people disagree with me I have to stop and take a look at myself, my point, my argument. the general consensus was that the tone of your email was rude, contradictory, a bid arrogant and hurtful. I hope you'll take a look at yourself and the tone people mentioned, because if more than one person says is, most likely you don't see it (or don't want to see it) and need to look a bit closer. i'm sure you're a sweet person and you were just trying to help, but please think about what I've said.

Have a great evening!

[Jimswife]

I understand your frustration in all of this. If I had to pay that much money every month, I couldn't afford to take the medicine. Being overweight does cause shortness of breath and fatigue, it sets you up for cardiac issues, diabetes, hypertension and so on.

Not all doctors will be your advocate. Liability insurance in this country is very high and if prescribing this med is an area of concern, they won't mess with it.

Personally, I don't think what you did amounts to fraud. You did explain your symptoms, then lay it out on the table. When I went to the doctor, I went with the full intention of getting phen. I looked it up online and did research, I weighed the good and the bad with the med and I made my choice. I believe some docs still have the old fen-phen nightmare in their heads.

It is frustrating because these clinics know they have the corner on the market and they can charge whatever they want. Some are reasonable, but others take advantage of our deep desire to lose weight and become healthy.

Please don't stop trying to find a doctor that will help you with this. This is not vanity weight you are trying to lose, you need to be at a healthy BMI. I don't know your age group, but I work in a critical care unit and much to my dismay most of the heart attack pt's are between the age of 35-50, with common factors of smoking and being obese.

Blessings,

Shelia

[JustaRandomGirl]

I really need to check with my insurance to see if it's covered. I have Aetna. Does anyone else have it?

I remember when I was trying to get pregnant with my son, I took Clomid. To my surprise, the insurance paid for most the script and the doc's visit BUT she was my regular doc anyway. I don't have that insurance anymore, but it surprised me that the meds were covered.

[JennluvsRob]

Persia, I don't understand. There is nothing tricky about it. You don't have to go to a weight loss clinic, a regular family physician can prescribe it if they feel it's needed. For one, a doctor should do what YOU want (as long as they agree it's needed). You pay THEM, they don't pay you. I've seen my doctor maybe 3 times in the past 18 months so I don't have a great relationship with her. But when my friend told me her sister lost a lot of wait with Phen (first time ever hearing about it) I made an appt. and she sent me to Quest for lab work and then I did an EKG in her office and she wrote the script, no questions asked and I weighed 155 when I saw her. I'm short though, 5'1...so ideally I need to be 125-130 but still, with not needing to lose a tremendous amount of weight, she had no problems with giving it to me and said she had several other patients taking it. I guess you need to just find a good family practitioner, find an online forum in your area and see if anyone has any good suggestions. Word of mouth. I paid my $35 office visit that day, the script is $26 a month at CVS. I dont' see her again until December (90 days after starting). Good luck.

[shay75]

Wow, did this get off track! I'm sorry about your experience...Craigslist brings out the liars and the crazies for sure! And then every once in a while, a gem. I don't blame you for trying something - if you don't have someone to recommend you to a good doctor or place, it's difficult.
I am in Chicagoland and had no idea how lucky I was. There are a myriad of "weight loss" dr.s around here that do take your history (some do tests as well) I pay $55 a month for the visit , plus the pills.
At the risk of getting lambasted by other members (please don't - I'm not looking for an opinion on this) they do provide the pills to me right there.
I think that if you are an informed consumer and you would like to try something - as long as you are not in danger for greater risk due to other lifestyle or health issues - you should be able to try it. I think the previous post was right, if your doctor is not listening to you - find another one. They are everywhere. Or, have her explain exactly why she won't prescribe it. If there is a valid reason and a good alternative you might want to consider it. Good luck on your journey - I'm sure you'll find a way to work it out!

[ethansmommy23]

persia- my doctor actually wrote up my lab work and all that jazz as "fatigue" so my insurance company would pay for the office visit.. but it still doesn't pay for the phen.. i know what it's like to go from TINY to new mommy size! seriously when i was at my heaviest i was so sluggish and unhappy! heck i was fatigued i just didn't notice it! anyway if ur insurance covers ur office visits go in for a "checkup" to ur regular doctor.. most docs if ur overweight will bring up ur weight but if not discuss ur concerns with him and if he writes the script then u just have to pay for the script (which is like between 10-30 dollars).. also someone on here said that their ob/gyn actually wrote them their prescription... the purpose of ur visit doesn't have to be weight loss, just go in for something else and happen to bring that up..

[ethansmommy23]

oh and by the way there are a few girls on here from missouri. i know tazgirl (mary) is from mo.. maybe start a thread on here asking if anyone knows a doc who will prescribe it.. just put ur city/state in the title of ur thread and ppl from that area will reply to u.

[persia927]

Thanks a lot!!! I have asked on here about docs in my area, that's how I found the weight loss clinic. But it can't hurt to try again. I did ask my obgyn and she said no. BUMMER! I don't have a primary physician. I am usually pretty healthy otherwise (other than a cold here and there) and need to go ahead and pick a doctor. when i went to this guys office, that was exactly my angle, i didn't ask about the phen until I could tell he wasn't taking my hints and the appt was almost over. Thanks for the tips!

[persia927]

Hey, I just noticed that Jasp lady took off all her comments on this thread. Interesting, she started all that trouble and then took the time to come back and delete her posts. LOL. I hope she at least read what I had to say to her.

[BonnieJo]

Good luck finding them for cheaper! I started trying to lose weigh last Sept. with just diet and exercise alone. I did lose 28lbs but then it just stopped. I talked to my OB about it bc he has been ocncerned about my weight and he prescribed me Bontril. I tried it but it didn't help me. I had friends that had told me a phen but wasn't so sure about it. Then my cousin just took it for 2 months and lost 34lbs. So a few friends rec. a Dr. to go to and he gave it to me.

[TelisaMC]

Persia,
My primary care doctor wrote me a prescription (with 3 refills) without any judgement whatsoever. I have been seeing her for nearly 9 years & she knows my history (i.e. battle with weight loss) which may account for her ease in writing the script. Nonetheless, you should take a moment to report Dr. Fuddy Duddy because it sounds as if he has judgement issues, which btw would go completely against his Hippocratic oath. Under no circumstance is a doctor supposed to pass judgement or withhold treatment based on his beliefs. If you were a pill-popping doctor hopper, I may say better off but it sounds like you were just trying to access some of the same benefits others do. Best of luck to you!

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by persia927

Hi guys! Sorry, had a busy day, didn't expect to see so many replies on here! I saw Jasp comment about starting another thread... Jasp, I really hope you check back in and hear what I have to say...

You made a LOT of assumptions from my thread that really weren't fair to me and my character as a member of this site. there are times we all need to vent and sometimes the guys and gals on this site are the only ones who understand what we're going through. sometimes venting may be irrational, i know there was a chance that what i was doing would not work, but when i come here, i may want to blame Dr. Fuddy Duddy and know that I won't be called a "drug seeker". We don't come here to be preached at by someone who is here for the same reason as us. lighten up. (iceman, this part applies to you too)
my responses to some of your comments...

your age comment: i don't know how old you are, but I'm not a child either. I don't appreaciate the insinuation that I have "yet to obtain" the wisdom you have. You say there is no negative tone to your message, but in what way can that comment be taken as anything but condescending?

Your phentermine abuse comment: again, you seem to insinuate that I'm just looking to shed 10 or 15 pounds and am some kind of pill popping phen addict. My bmi is over 30, thank you very much.

regarding my goal, FYI, I was a size 4 just last year, so kill me for wanting to fit into my clothes again. I never said I wanted to get back into a 4. Would it be nice? yes. Can I set that as my goal if I want to, yes. If I get down to a size 10 or 8 or 6 will I be happy? yes. you assume i'm just yo-yoing and looking for a magic pill to do the work for me. I HAD A BABY!!!!!

You should really be careful using the term "phentermine abuse". my bmi is over 30. i'm one of the ones who "needs" it. that phrase is hurtful and divisive.

I think your comments are easy for you to make considering you pay $15 for your office visit. I bet if you paid $125 per visit, you might try to get creative and find ways to pay cheaper for it to. I pay over $200 a month for my insurance premium and have no-copay with it, and it's frustrating that obesity is not covered with my insurance. it's nice that your insurance covers it, but i checked and mine doesn't. so it's $125/month or nothing.

I did not walk in and ask for pills immediately. I gave the condensed version of the story to you guys. It is true that I am tired and I get out of breath easily when walking due to my weight, and that's what I told him. I mentioned that I took phen in the past just to see his reaction, hoping he's offer to let me go on phen again. i didn't flat out ask until i could tell the appt was about to end and i had nothing to lose by then.

I have done the research. Why do you assume I have not? Due to having the baby, I am out of paid time off from my job. I don't have time to visit 10 doctors until I find one that will prescribe phen after I state my case. not this year anyway, maybe after january when I get new vacation/personal leave for the year. maybe it wasn't the best plan in the world that i went in there the way i did, but it was definitely worth a shot. i still think it was a pretty creative plan and will wonder what "would have" happened if the other doctor was there that day.

I find it ironic that in one message you say things like "I also bet you've been on them before to lose weight. Think about it, how healthy is it to yo yo diet?" and "For many this is a way of life. Gain a couple of lbs pop a pill. I bet if someone did a poll on how many repeat users are on here I bet it would be almost 80%". Then scroll down and you say "I've been on them since I have been 18 and went off of them at 27 used them again at 33 and now". Can anyone say hypocrite????

i may not have as many posts as you because I do more reading than writing on here. i don't feel like i always HAVE to be heard. 400 posts in 5 months does not make you an expert. you're welcome to your own opinion, we all are, that's why we're here. so i have to respect that. but also please respect me and the others here that don't agree with you. you did a bad job reading between the lines and making assumptions.

i'm here for support. you had some valid points, but perhaps you should find a way to express them without making the other person feel like you're practcally calling them a crack-head. MY age has brought me wisdom as well, and with that I've learned this: if one person disagrees with me, fine, it's a difference of opinion, so be it. if multiple people disagree with me I have to stop and take a look at myself, my point, my argument. the general consensus was that the tone of your email was rude, contradictory, a bid arrogant and hurtful. I hope you'll take a look at yourself and the tone people mentioned, because if more than one person says is, most likely you don't see it (or don't want to see it) and need to look a bit closer. i'm sure you're a sweet person and you were just trying to help, but please think about what I've said.

Have a great evening!

In all fairness I am not here to get somthing and not pay for it I pay cash for my phen never even thought about trying to ask a professional like a M.D. to compromise their integrity to me get somthing for nothing. You did kinda come off as whining and the logic behind why is pretty twisted. I'm not judging you for using phen I use it so thats not the issue. Just cause i dont wanna pay for somthing does not give me the right to ask anyone to lie in order to help me get something for free. I dont know you but you come off sounding like the doctor was just being mean to you. You also come off sounding very entitled.

[Jimswife]

Iceman,

I'm sorry, I disagree with you. She sounds like someone who is overweight, that would like to lose the weight and that it is difficult to pay 125 a month for the visit and then pay for the medicine as well. Anyone 100lbs overweight is going to have shortness of breath and fatigue. That in no way is fraud. It is a medicine prescribed by a doctor, why would she not try to use the insurance that I'm sure someone is paying a premium for.

We will have to agree to disagree that we see this in 2 different lights and mine is being a health care professional that sees so many young 35-45 year olds die of a heart attack on a weekly basis.

I don't believe she was whining, I think she is frustrated. She has seen all of the posts of those of us who pay little for phen, my copay is 5.00. It is sad to have something available to help us reach a healthy BMI, but have it cost so much money that it is out of our reach. I see people every day that have to choose between heart medicine and food. It just shouldn't be like this.

Yes, this is America and people are entitled to their profit, but at what cost? We are an obese nation, raising obese children. It is a shame when 4 year olds are being treated for diabetes. Through the use of phen, we can educate others before they reach the point that they need a med, that they probably will not be able to afford.

I am not trying to fuss with you because that is my nature, but I see this so much differently then you.

Respectfully,

Shelia

[Mrsace13]

Is it that your insurance doesn't cover weight issues? I think that is what you were trying to say to start with, right? So you were trying to find another reason to have them give you Phen and then your insurance would cover it, right? So then you did not have to pay a weight loss clinic so much and of course you are approved for the Phen from them. I think this got turned around making it like you were trying to trick a Dr to give you Phen when you didn't need it and that isn't what you were saying from what I read.

I don't know about where you live but without insurance it normally cost under $30, that shocked me since other things I have taken in the past from my Dr cost me over $100 so I was glad to even know my insurance does approve it. I guess like you said, you just need a reason to be at the Drs each month and a reason for them to give to you to start with. The WLC do cost a lot but I have spent so much money on every weight loss diet whatever out there so I find this to really be worth it and I know I am saving from not eating out all the time. McD's may not like that I am taking this, I know they miss me, but that money now goes to my Phen so when I look at it that way it helps.

But at the same time, like Jimswife said, so many people and kids are so over weight and why? It cost tooooo much to eat healthy!! Fat free mean more $$ but I can super size my meal for only 69 cents!! They need to lower the cost for healthy food. I live in Florida and can walk outside and get a grapefruit or orange but the stores charge crazy for it. God made these healthy items grow from our earth for us to live on and we can't even buy them because of the cost. It cost less for a box of Little Debbies than ONE apple!! OK, If I get started on this I will go on for pages, it really upsets me when I'm in the store and it cost so much and you can't even get store named brands for like low fat or fat free cheeses, you have to get the more exp brands. OK, I'm done, lol.

Good luck to you and maybe your insurance will change that part for next year, nice thought anyway

[Iceman]

Sorry but i have to disagree with just about everything everypmr is saying on this topic. Deciving anyone rich evil insurance company or not is wrong no matter how you justify it and yes it is really that simple.

[persia927]

Iceman, I can respect that. But as far as me sounding entitled or whiny, again, I was just venting to my phrends. If we can't b**** to our phrends a little every now and then, who can we b**** to? That's why I said "lighten up". As far as the topic, if the doctor said he didn't feel like I was a good candidate for phen, then that's his opinion as a doctor. But he literally cut me off in the middle of my sentence and said he hasn't written it in 20 years and isn't going to break that record now. so it's like he didn't even take my situation into account and consider it, it was more of a principle for him. But it's his office, that's his right, i suppose. like jimswife said, it's just hard for me to hear about people paying next to nothing in co-pays when I pay $125 plus the cost of pill. I pay about $220 on my insurance premium every month, so nothing that comes of it is "free". I feel that "fraud", "lie" and "deceive" are a bit harsh under the circumstances. I'm sure I'm not the first person to go into a doctors office with an idea in mind of what we hope they'll say/do/prescribe. Yes, I had an agenda in mind, but to me, fraud would be trying to get phen when I don't need it or asking him to lie to the insurance co for me, neither of which is the case. All I did was word things to put the emphasis on fatigue and out of breath issues with weight being a secondary issue instead of the reverse, because saying weight first and fatigue/out of breath secondary would have been rejected by insurance. But none of it was a lie and I did not ask anyone to lie for me.

[Fatmomma]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to Phen...just started on Friday. I have been reading the posts on this site and have found many answers to questions that I have had. I too went to a weight loss clinic (the doctor also runs a family practice) and paid $100 out of pocket. This week is my first follow-up and it will cost $80. The best part is that my ** only cost $3 at the pharmacy! I have wonderful insurance and would also love to find a doctor who will prescribe Phen for me. I live in Southern NJ if anyone knows of a doctor. I do now wish to scam anyone, I want to be guided by a physician in my weight loss. I have seen Phen online without an **...but as I said my copay at the pharmacy is so low I hate not to take advantage of it. This is my first time on Phen and my BMI is 32% so I think I should qualify in someones eyes.

[plagenurse84]

Iceman I don't get where you came up with her trying to scam the insurance company/MD. She was trying to get her doctor to understand that her being overweight is contributing to her fatigue and lack of energy. Not all docs/PAs/NPs will code visits so the insurance company will cover the visit, others go out of their way trying to code and make the insurance companies realize this is an issue and needs help to be covered for patients.

Not really seeing where the "fraud" comes into play here folks. You went to a doctor, told him how you were feeling, and asked if he would write you a phen script, he said no, you moved on. No biggie.

I'd consider you to be fraudulant if you actually got the prescription, and then went and sold it to your friend for double the price, which does happen. Hence the fraud.

And if you only want to hear what you want to hear, I wouldn't post on ANY online boards. For those who are getting annoyed at receiving what they consider "non supporting" responses on the boards, please understand that we're all here from different backgrounds and perspectives and will at times get conflicting responses from people. No big deal, right it off and move on. No reason to get nasty. However, there are others who get nasty from their first message, and if that's the case, have a free for all

[persia927]

Excellent points, thank you. I'll admit I jumped on the defense, I think anyone would. You may not have seen the posts from the person who really ruffled everyone's feathers on this thread... if I sound defensive, I apologize to everyone. i try to respect everyone's opinions, but will most definitely defend myself and my character so I don't become known as the pill popping phen addict on the site (which is what the other person made me out to sound like).

[Iceman]

Is it really that hard to understad there are guidelines set by insurance companies she was attempting to find a doctor that would help her get around those guidelines. Call it whatever you want and or justify it however you want that is the issue at hand and that is fraud. I sypathize with anyone who dosent like to pay for their phen. I dont like to pay my electric bill or mortgage but tough gotta do it anyway. Phen is not nessesary to lose weight therefore most insurances dont want to pay for it. Those who think they need it before they even begin are not likely to do well with our without it so i compleatly agree with the insurance co. stance on this. ALL THE JUSTIFICATIONS AND EXCUSSES IN THE WORLD DONT MAKE IT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT IT IS. I'm not saying anyone is a bad or imoral person nor am i saying anyone is abusing phen. Intentions dont play into this discussion the insurance co. policy is the only thing that is relevant here.

[Iceman]

Many of you like to attack those who wont tell ppl what they want to hear regardless of how factual what they are saying is. I could not possibly care less what those ppl think. You can think i am mean if you like, you can call me unsupportive, niether of these is true.

What is true is the fact that some ppl will do whatever they can to get what they want and many others who share the same mentality will fully support their irresonsible attitudes because the indentify and want the easy way out. I'm happy to not be one of those ppl even if my opinion is unpopular.

[persia927]

This is not at all in an argumentative tone I just want to clarify my take on what you're saying. Just out of curiousity do you think it's bad that so many are allowed to pay only co-pays and nothing more for their phen office visits? I think all of this (the cost issue) started for me due to another thread called "how much do you pay" and I couldn't not believe so many people only pay co-pays, I felt like I was one of the few that pays cash out of pocket.

Also, I don't think I ever attacked you, the worst I said to you was "lighten up". Everything else was towards the other person.

[Iceman]

First off let me appoligize I obviously feel passionatly about what i am saying and perhaps my tone was somewhat argumentative and that may have been uncalled for. Now do i think its fair that some/most only pay co-pays? Does it matter if i think its fair? Thats how it is regardless of my feeling on it so I go ahead and pay the full price wich is about what you said you pay. My "feelings" on the issue don't play into it. I have a hsa and guess what thats "my" money but the gov. says i cant use that either to pay for phen... ok so I dont argue about it. I plan ahead and budget for it. No other option really.

No you didnt attack me again my tone was wrong for that i appolagize. I honestly hope you do well with your weight loss I dont think negatively of you or anyone not that what i think should matter to anyone. I dont like paying full price for my phen that much we can agree on I also hope you find a way to pay less for it just not that way. again good luck and I wish you well