I have been on Xifaxan for the past 2 years and as far as I'm concerned it has been a wonder drug for me. But, I have to have prior authorization from my insurance company because it is an off label use. This hasn't been a problem since the first time I got authorization after a one month trial, until now! I knew my year was up so I called my doctor's office two weeks before I would be out of meds. Then I kept checking with the pharmacy and the insurance company, and each time I was told that the paperwork hadn't been submitted, so I would call the doctors office. The receptionist would tell me she would send the paperwork to the nurse practitioner and I would wait another few days. Finally, on Thursday, still no paperwork, I got a little upset. I was told the nurse would call me. NO phone call. Called again today, no paperwork. Got really upset, told the nurse would call me, instead the receptionist called back, "we need your insurance company's phone number". Its been over 2 weeks, I'm out of medicine. The last time I was out of this medicine I ended up having more hospitalizations in one year than I have had in my entire history with this DD. Was it because I was off Xifaxan, probably not, but I really don't want to find out!!!! Does it really take over 2 weeks to resubmit the paperwork from a year ago. All they have to do is change the date. I just saw him a month ago, it isn't like I should need an appointment.
I should say this is the head of GI at a major hospital who I only see once a year and who only Rx this one med for me, thank GOD. I have one other med that needs a prior authorization that I get from my PCP, I called him on Tuesday and that paperwork was in on Friday.
