Too Much Meth, Not Enough Math
PHARMACY | RIGHT | JUNE 10, 2016
Me: “Okay, just so you know, sir, a three-month supply of this medication is going to cost you about $400.”
Customer: “What?! No. You’re wrong. When I picked it up last it was a third of that!”
(I look up his payment and pick up history in the system.)
Me: “It looks like this new prescription is the same medication as the last but you’re allowed to pick up three months at a time instead of just one. Is that correct?”
Customer: “Yes! But it’s never this expensive!”
Me: “Well, you’re picking up more at one time which is why it is a higher cost.”
Customer: “No! You’re wrong. It’s not supposed to be this expensive!”
Me: “Well, I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t set the prices. Your insurance company tells us what to charge you based on your plan.”
(This commences a 10 minute rant about how this medication is too expensive and he KNOWS he shouldn’t owe this much because he has been in the industry for 20 years and has a PhD.)
Customer: “When I picked it up last month it was only $133! It shouldn’t be $400!”
Me: “So… you previously picked up a one month supply for $133? And you’re upset because this three-month supply is three times the cost of the one-month supply?”
Customer: “YES!”
(Sadly this man did not see the math and proceeded to stay for the next 45 minutes and tell me exactly what was wrong with the entire industry and why it was my fault. Unfortunately, I have more stories about this guy from this 45 minute encounter alone.)
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