browser life

Ack, this seems to be an epidemic. This is the ninth time, I think, that a doc has had to send my medical insurance company a letter of medical necessity regarding one of my medications. This time, they decided that no one can be on generic Ambien longer than 90 days, and they won't cover ANY other sleep aid!

What's annoying is that I've been on some form of Ambien for a total of five years. I took it from 2002 until 2005, when a sleep specialist decided I had developed a tolerance to it and switched me to some other meds. Both Lunesta and Sonata worked great for me, but when I went on my current insurance plan in 2006, they wouldn't cover either of them, just Ambien CR. So I did that until generic Ambien (Zolpidem) came out, and then insurance would only cover that. Now they don't want to cover it at all! What are people with permanent sleep disorders supposed to do?

Fortunately, my poor overworked primary care doc is not only appealing the denial for me (she's a true gem), she found some samples to tide me over until the insurance company gets back from their holiday weekend. So at least I won't be losing any sleep over it, heh heh.

I realize they're trying to cut costs, but geez, these stupid blanket policies are more of a hindrance than a help to people with chronic illness.