The process of getting healthcare in the United States is obtuse, unhelpful, and debilitatingly expensive.

Someone close to me has a condition that makes their hands and feet peel, scab, and crack aggressively. That means no long walks, no handling spices, and constant itching.

They have been trying to get care for this condition for years, and they are still in an exploration stage of finding a drug that works.

But they cost hundreds and thousands of dollars.

They have insurance through their employer. It costs hundreds of dollars for the insurance.

And yet, the medications being tried out also still cost them hundreds more dollars.

Currently, they are working on getting a new medication again. Their previous one was working out, but is too dangerous to take long term. So, new approvals, new processes.

In order to get the new medication their doctor is prescribing covered by insurance, the insurance company is requiring the use of a completely different, unhelpful medication first.

My friend does not know why. Their doctor annoyingly recognizes that insurance process.

This interim medication that the insurance company is requiring in order to cover the actual, intended medication costs 50% more than the actual intended medication. And why? Because of some obtuse, vague, and unclear process from the insurer.

Again, it won't help. Just process.

But hey, I guess this process will only cost my friend an additional $500 on top of their regular insurance payments instead of the $3000 their medication "normally costs" without coverage. For this fill, at least.

At least the cost is known. At pickup.

Fuck this system.