Oh, the Things I Know!

I previously described that if I were to offer any advice to a fellow infertile who is just starting her treatments, it would be 'Expect Delays'. I can appreciate that everyone's situation with infertility is different and each person will have a unique experience, but delays seem to be a common thread for almost all who travel down this road. I now feel that I can add some additional words of wisdom.

I called Freedom Fertility to set up my medication order more than three weeks before I was set to start my stims. My insurance company has an alliance with Freedom Fertility. While ordering the Ovidrel for my IUI cycles, I found them to be reliable with good customer service. After we finished reviewing the list, the agent offered that she would arrange for the big box to arrive two days before S-day (which is a Sunday). I could only imagine discovering on a Friday that an incorrect med was shipped. I felt as if I had to negotiate with her to have them delivered on Tuesday. I informed the agent that my insurance covers 50% of the costs of my prescription medications, but they require prior authorisation. "No problem." she said with a cheery tone. "I'll send this off to our insurance department, and I'll have someone call you on Monday before we ship your order to review the final details."

I switched my phone onto vibrate and kept it in my pocket all day. I felt like such a dork; getting excited for a phone call, but this was the phone call that would bring my big box of meds. Alas, the 'Unknown Caller' rang. "Hi!" another cheery woman greeted me. "I noted that your insurance company will pay for half of your meds, but we need authorisation. We'll go ahead and get that processed for you ASAP!" I groaned silently. This should have been already sorted. I would have thought two weeks would have been enough time to place a phone call or fax a form to get the authorisation.
Lesson One: Do not rely on anyone. To do anything for you. Ever. 

I couldn't disguise my disappointment. "I'm terribly sorry" the agent apologised profusely. "I don't see those instructions anywhere in the notes. Do you remember with whom you spoke?"
"Um, I think it was Daphne. Or Delores?"...something that began with a D?
Lesson Two: Always take note of names
Lesson Three: Consider informing the customer service agent that you are recording the conversation for 'quality assurance'

I knew it wasn't worth getting too upset. After all, "Stacey" assured me that I would receive my order this week. I felt validated that I bargained for the 'oh shit' time, but I was annoyed with myself that I hadn't followed up last week.  I was still in the situation I wanted to avoid; waiting for the meds to arrive at the end of the week and hoping for an accurate order. I glanced at my Google calendar. I had noted "meds arrive" on Tuesday. I was looking forward to that big box arriving in the way I anticipate receiving a package from my parents or Myrtle around Christmas or my birthday. It was a good time to remind myself that I shouldn't get attached to any particular dates, and that every step of this process requires flexibility. I'm not as savvy as I thought. I need someone wiser to tell me to expect delays.

In the interest of full disclosure, someone did come through for me. I sent an email to Misery asking if she would call the prescription for Medrol into my local pharmacy. I found that even at full cost, they had better pricing than Freedom Fertility and my insurance might even cover it, since it's not exclusively used for infertility. I should also mention here that Misery has been much less... well, miserable. I thought about assigning her a different name, but I like to think that first impressions have consequences. As the pharmacy is right across from Husband's favourite watering hole (talk about conveniences), I sent him in over the weekend to check on the status. Sure enough, she took care of it. I suppose it would have been nice to have received some confirmation from her, but I shouldn't hold unrealistic expectations. That's Lesson Four.