Infusion Boredom

This post is a follow-up to my previous posts and more. My anemia is still being treated, going on 9 years with no known cause. I am currently undergoing another round of Venofer infusions. 

I remain confused by the insurance company's decision. They approved nine Venofer infusions over 4.5 years (three rounds every 18 months), compared to three Injectafer infusions in 2017, which lasted over four years. They approved the lower-cost Venofer ($825 per dose), which is 80 percent cheaper per unit. However, the clinic infusion fee makes the overall costs similar, with about $15,625 for Venofer and $15,348 for Injectafer. I assume they consider that I have to pay the deductible each year, and they pay less?  As I have always heard, Medical insurers are more concerned with profit than our health.

I asked insurance if they would cover the lower-cost treatment and if I would pay for the Injectifer difference; would that be acceptable? Then I found out that the cost of the Injectifer increased by 530 percent because the insurance wouldn't cover it! What a racket.  

I also uncovered an insurance scam in 2017 for prescriptions. As shown below, the insurance-covered RX cost was $17.04 when covered. But then the formula changed and no longer covered the refill. It then increased by 1,431 percent to $243.99! No wonder the uninsured can’t afford to get sick.  

Today is the last infusion for this series. After the second infusion, I experienced severe stomach pain and constipation, with pressure on my back making life miserable. I haven't been able to work out or do much because the side effects have been worse this time than in previous treatments. Could it be related to age?

I went to a baseball game on Saturday and took some photos. I was testing the Tamron 150-600 f-mount lens as when I accidentally dropped it, and the autofocus stopped working. Since it's on my Nikon Z7ii, I also used the Nikon FTZ II mount. For the needs (Shelley's grandkids and sports), I think I can focus manually and avoid buying the $2,100, Nikon 180-600 replacement.  

Shelley and I are looking forward to our third retirement trip. Our trips have been limited since she retired because she had to care for her ailing father. Shelley and I will go to Nashville for a day, then to her daughter's lake cabin in Alabama, Smith Lake near Jasper, for three or four nights. After that, we'll spend a night in Chattanooga, Tennessee, followed by a few nights in the Smoky Mountains. Before heading back to Nashville for an NDSU football game and returning home, I hope the trip is relaxing rather than stressful.

Until next time, carry on my friends, carry on!