Lantus for my Mother in Charlotte

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by rxdiva

Actually, that's false. I'm a pharmacist. We can take a non-controlled substance prescription from outside of the US as long as we have all the doctor's information. But if the prescription is written in Russian, that would pose a problem if we couldn't get it translated properly. For the meantime, I would definitely follow the advice of the other on this post and see someone at an urgent care clinic or ER for a new prescription.

rxdiva, I'm SO glad you responded to this thread! I almost dm'ed you earlier today to see if you would In a past life I was a pharmacy tech, seems like things may be a bit different now - glad you corrected my mistake!

[rxdiva]

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

rxdiva, I'm SO glad you responded to this thread! I almost dm'ed you earlier today to see if you would In a past life I was a pharmacy tech, seems like things may be a bit different now - glad you corrected my mistake!

No prob lovesMountains! I'm glad I can help

[vbg]

Thank you for very interesting and useful advices! I hope it will be helpful for someone else.

We spent all afternoon in different medical places:
1) Prosperity Church Urgent Care (5435 Prosperity Church Road)
2) CMC ER
3) MedAssist (5516 Central Avenue)
4) Nalle Pharmacy
5) Presbyterian Urgent Care (1918 Randolph Road)

Results:
1) They said that they don't work with prescriptions, and sent us to CMC ER.
2) CMC ER said that social worker is somewhere very far, but we can see ER doctor. It will cost around $500.
3) MedAssist - this is very strange place. But they said that free clinics will not help us, because they have huge lines, and doctors see patients only once per month. Is it true?
4) Nalle Pharmacy is nice place. But they need prescription from US doctor.
5) Presbyterian Urgent Care is also ok. They said doctor's visit will cost ($210 - 40%), and doctor will make prescription without testing.

So we decided that we should wait for lantus from Canada. My mother has another medicine which is not so good as lantus and requires frequent blood sugar measurements. If during next week we will not receive Canadian lantus we will go to Presbyterian Urgent Care.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by vbg

Thank you for very interesting and useful advices! I hope it will be helpful for someone else.

We spent all afternoon in different medical places:
1) Prosperity Church Urgent Care (5435 Prosperity Church Road)
2) CMC ER
3) MedAssist (5516 Central Avenue)
4) Nalle Pharmacy
5) Presbyterian Urgent Care (1918 Randolph Road)

Results:
1) They said that they don't work with prescriptions, and sent us to CMC ER.
2) CMC ER said that social worker is somewhere very far, but we can see ER doctor. It will cost around $500.
3) MedAssist - this is very strange place. But they said that free clinics will not help us, because they have huge lines, and doctors see patients only once per month. Is it true?
4) Nalle Pharmacy is nice place. But they need prescription from US doctor.
5) Presbyterian Urgent Care is also ok. They said doctor's visit will cost ($210 - 40%), and doctor will make prescription without testing.

So we decided that we should wait for lantus from Canada. My mother has another medicine which is not so good as lantus and requires frequent blood sugar measurements. If during next week we will not receive Canadian lantus we will go to Presbyterian Urgent Care.

What a frustrating experience. That upsets me that they would not immediately get the social worker involved w/ your case. They doubtless have several employed there.

I am glad to hear that Presby's UC was willing to lower the standard charges. That is what they are supposed to do - if you ASK. That would definitely be the least expensive method under the circumstances.

The ED at CMC is treading on thin ice. They should have lined your mother up w/ a social worker and provided free treatment to her. They just didn't want to accept what is considered a "charity care" patient.

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by anifani821

What a frustrating experience. That upsets me that they would not immediately get the social worker involved w/ your case. They doubtless have several employed there.

I am glad to hear that Presby's UC was willing to lower the standard charges. That is what they are supposed to do - if you ASK. That would definitely be the least expensive method under the circumstances.

The ED at CMC is treading on thin ice. They should have lined your mother up w/ a social worker and provided free treatment to her. They just didn't want to accept what is considered a "charity care" patient.

Seriously, I meant no disrespect to you by my earlier post, but I am not familiar with the "Charity case" law you refer to, and would like to be. Do you have any links I could follow, to get an idea of what it provides/entails? Thanks!!

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

Seriously, I meant no disrespect to you by my earlier post, but I am not familiar with the "Charity case" law you refer to, and would like to be. Do you have any links I could follow, to get an idea of what it provides/entails? Thanks!!

Not sure where to get you that info, Hoagie. Will see if I can round something up. Am waiting on a client conference call in 45 mins so will see what I can find b/f I get involved in that.

[anifani821]

The reg is referred to as EMTALA - The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. Google EMTALA and read all about it, LOL.

Here is an article from one perspective about the weaknesses in the law

The Crisis in Hospital Emergency Departments: Overcoming the Burden of Federal Regulation


Here is something on determining charity care as opposed to bad debts:

New rules affect bad debt, charity care reporting - includes related article on evolution of rules | Healthcare Financial Management | Find Articles at BNET

Another article, in re: to charity care and not for profit hospitals

http://www.law.uh.edu/healthlaw/pers...FraudAbuse.pdf

[vbg]

We have received lantus from Canadian Pharmacy, Canada Pharmacy Online Prescription Drugs It took almost 2 weeks(!), they said it was in US customs. lantus is temperature-sensitive, but it works even after 2 weeks. My Mother was very happy, and she has already flown to Moscow. Thank you to all people! The topic is closed.