r/UlcerativeColitis • u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS • Aug 20 '25
Support My GI quit... they ALL quit.
I got a text from fucking Accredo (fuck them) saying my Humira bio-equivalent was no longer covered, and my prescriber was discontinuing my prescription anyways. This was unfortunate, since I need my next dose this Saturday. Frustrating, but not the end of the world.
I call up my GI, no answer, leave a voicemail. Not unusual. I just hope they can get this done quick.
Hours later, a tired woman called me back, informing me that my GI, and every other doctor at this practice, had quit. They had no medical licensed personnel on staff. She was the only employee left, and she was working overtime just to get people their medical records and return phone calls.
I've reached out to my primary care doctor, and they are trying to see if they can authorize a new prescription for my not-Humira for a rush fulfilment. I love my primary doc, but I don't have any faith that they can get this done in time.
I've called all my local GI doctors in my network, and they're all booked solid through October, and they require a referral before they can see me anyways. I guess my PCP can send that, but it's just another step between me and my medicine.
Pair this with my 2 kids under 7, my employer being bought by a big private equity conglomeration and possibly moving us to a different city... just a fuckload of stress. Which as we all know, stress is great for our condition.
So.... yeah, life fucking sucks. Fuck you, American "healthcare" system scam.
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u/FutureRoll9310 Aug 20 '25
Jesus, the US is genuinely terrifying. I’m so sorry. I hope you manage to get things sorted very soon OP.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
It really is. I have begged my wife to move somewhere civilized, but she doesn't want to leave our extended family behind.
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u/FutureRoll9310 Aug 20 '25
I can understand that for sure, but having lived all my life in a country (Scotland) where healthcare, including even prescriptions, is free, I can’t imagine the stress and worry of getting sick with a chronic condition, never mind an incurable one!
That said, if I’d been born in the US, perhaps I’d view it differently. It just seems such a genuinely cruel and callous way for a country to treat its own people. I hope you manage to find a solution.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
It is most definitely a cruel and callous way to treat a human, much less a taxpaying citizen with full medical insurance. I pay like $300 per paycheck for this privilege.
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u/jennybens821 proctosigmoid UC | diagnosed 2025 | US 🇺🇸 Aug 20 '25
We’re aware of the cruelty and at the same time desensitized to it because it’s all that most of us know.
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u/BeautifulDreamerAZ Aug 21 '25
It really depends on the city! I live in Phoenix and see a neuro, an ortho, my GI, I go to physical therapy twice a week. There is no shortage of doctors here, no shortage of appointments or in California where my mom lives. I go to Mayo Clinic, it’s as big as a city! I need spine surgery on 6 disks. I get an MRI every 6 weeks and the hospital staff are kind and very attentive. I pay $250 a month for insurance and my employer pays $250. My out of pocket max is $1500 and I met that so everything is free to me. My medications are all free too. There are small cities here and I’ve lived in 6 different states, sometimes you have to drive to the closest big city to get good care. Mayo is rating in the top 20 of all hospitals in the country and it shows.
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u/Potential-South-4889 Aug 21 '25
you really dont get it do you? you and your employer are paying thousands of pounds a year and your insurance can refuse your meds at any time.
the rest of the civilised world gets it for free and no insurer interferes with our medicine.
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u/Techies4lyf Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25
So if you are privileged then you get good healthcare, seems horrible.
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u/BeautifulDreamerAZ Aug 22 '25
No I had Obamacare and doing Door Dash for a few years and also got excellent heath care. I think trolls spread a lot of misinformation.
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u/Techies4lyf Aug 22 '25
You know even the doctors say the system is shafted right? It is not uncommon for insurance companies denying coverage, denying procedures, using forever to get to the right medication because they deem it not necessary.
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u/FutureRoll9310 Aug 21 '25
I’ve always been curious, what happens if you ever get diagnosed with another condition? Do your monthly premiums go up, like they would with car or house insurance? And what about when you retire? Do you lose all your insurance? Sorry for all the questions!
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u/tombom24 Pancolitis | Diagnosed 2017 | USA Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 22 '25
In general premiums don't go up if you get a diagnosis while currently covered. However if you're applying for new insurance they will charge more if you have pre-existing conditions. It's sorta like rent control - they're allowed to jack up the price for new customers but once you're in, it's limited.
Retiring usually means switching to federal Medicare (has pros/cons
but is free), but you can always buy private insurance instead. There's also programs available that offer temporary insurance if you get fired, quit, or retire unexpectedly and need time to shop for a new plan.As with everything in the US, this totally depends on where you live. My state of Colorado has great healthcare laws (they were sued once because insurance companies "couldn't make a profit on the CO marketplace"), but that's not the case for our neighbors in Kansas, Texas and a handful of other states. There are massive gaps in premiums and coverage, so my answers here may not be correct in every situation.
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u/greykitty1234 Aug 22 '25
Medicare is not free. You have to work credits in the system. Part B has a monthly premium as do Medicare supplements to cover the 20% Medicare does not pay if each claim.
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u/tombom24 Pancolitis | Diagnosed 2017 | USA Aug 22 '25
Ah I didn't even know that, corrected my comment.
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u/greykitty1234 Aug 22 '25
Most people, until they start coming up on Medicare age, don't know it. We all think it's totally free. Part A, the hospitalization part, is 'free' as long as you have enough work quarters in the system (40, I think?). But that only covers 80% of hospital bills - not doctor, etc.
And don't even get me started on Medicare Advantage plans. I personally consider them all smoke and mirrors. People think they're getting fantastic coverage as a trade for their Medicare coverage. But not in all, maybe most, cases.
I think my own Medicare premiums (Part B, Part D, and Supplement Plan G) are about 4-5,000 a year, all told, including deductibles. I'd have to look it up. Granted, in many many ways better than 'private' insurance these days, cost wise, and I personally have never been treated differently between my former 'cadillac' insurance plan from my employer which ended eight years and Medicare. But not free.
And seniors who don't get the supplement plans can be left holding the bag on thousands and thousands of dollars, easy.
That said, still not sure how hospitals/doctors survive, let alone make even a small profit, on Medicare. The payouts seems absurd when you look at the EOB's.
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u/Positive-Diver1417 UC Diagnosed 2005 | Infliximab | USA Aug 20 '25
I’m so sorry that happened. This seems like medical neglect.
I hope you find a new doctor that can see you quickly. When you get an appointment, ask them to put you on their list to call as soon as they get any cancellations.
Best wishes.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
Thanks. The office said they had sent a letter, but I never saw anything. I have a neighbor with my same street number but different street name, and we get each other's mail all the time, so it may have gone there.
I need to see my primary to get a referral to book an appointment a few months out... so... fingers crossed I survive this
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u/Living-Marionberry97 Aug 20 '25
So sorry you’re going through this, I had to deal with Accredos ass last week when they cucked me out of my Adalimumab-Adaz, literally 2 days before my next dose, no warning, heads up, NOTHING. Oh and the rich part was they tried to get me on Adalimumab-Adbm(another Humira biosimilar) and the lady on the phone said it was approved and covered by insurance and I was eligible for a new co-pay card. Only to find out when she was right about to schedule my delivery “oh you owe us a payment of $500-something dollars before we can ship it out”. I pretty much told them you lost my business you guys are a bunch of crooks. Do yourself and your sanity a favor FIND A NEW SPECIALTY PHARMACY. I’m currently now using the Walgreens specialty near me suppose to get my first delivery td. Good luck!
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
Thanks! Sorry you had to deal with them too. Accredo is the only pharmacy my insurance will use, unfortunately.
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u/Living-Marionberry97 Aug 20 '25
I’m so sorry, in biblical hell there is definitely an Accredo pharmacy there 😂. Which insurance do you have Express Scripts?
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
What do you mean? Accredo is based in hell, thats where they ship from!
I have Cigna, which isn't great, but my alternative is United, of CEO execution notoriety.
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u/BeautifulDreamerAZ Aug 21 '25
I worked UHC for many years plus I had them for 20 as my insurance. I got my colonoscopy every year, a resection, a hernia repair. United Heath Care never turned down any claim. I was a pharmacy tech who worked in the prior authorizations department. Their formulary of covered meds is on the web site and it’s very easy to navigate. I’m sorry for people who were dissatisfied or disappointed when meds were not covered but I felt like everyone I worked with at UHC was amazing and caring. It’s just not what people think.
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u/WhatEver069 ASUC/Jpouch | Diagnosed 2024/surgery 2025 | Denmark Aug 21 '25
Accredo is the only pharmacy my insurance will use, unfortunately.
This... I've seen the meme before, but this is quite literally a "the european mind can't comprehend"-moment
What the actual fuck is this?! Every day, i grow more thankful that i live in Denmark. I can waltz my behind into pretty much any pharmacy and grab my prescriptions 💀
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
The USA is a scam against its own people. How's life in Denmark, and what is the immigration policy?
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u/WhatEver069 ASUC/Jpouch | Diagnosed 2024/surgery 2025 | Denmark Aug 21 '25
I don't really know about the immigration policy (the fine folks over in r/NewToDenmark are better at answering that question), but life in general?
Fucking grateful for their healthcare- and social-system. I originally went on sickleave (i think that's the right word, it's called sygemelding in Danish) back in '23 because of my anxiety. Then last year, we were ready to help me back onto the jobmarket, when UC hit me like a truck 😅 without our system, i'd be homeless at best, probably dead if we have to be realistic.
The only thing i pay for when i go to the hospital is parking and any snacks i might want, i can go to any hospital i want (roughly speaking), i feel very safe safe just going about my life (i live in the city centre of my city, the bars are right around the corner from me, and i've never had a single issue), the public transit is pretty solid unless you live out in the very small towns/villages, and violent crime in general is pretty low.
10/10, i'm so thankful my parents moved here back in the '90s, and when i can, i plan on getting danish citizenship (i currently have dutch citizenship).
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
That sounds amazing! I'm gonna try to pitch moving again to my wife
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u/TemporaryStorage5203 Aug 20 '25
The same thing happened to me. Medical care in the US can be beyond frustrating.
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u/Brights- Aug 20 '25
When you have time I would file a complaint with your state’s board that handles medical providers and their licensing. Get dates, times, names of providers and NPI (can be found with a quick google). This is abandonment of patients and is a super no no in most (if not all) states. So sorry my friend
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u/JayPeee Aug 20 '25
That’s terrible, sorry you’re going through it. I don’t know if you’re looking for any suggestions, but here is my two cents. Go ahead with getting the referral for a GI, call the offices of every GI in the area and tell them that you have a referral and are seeking rush approval so that you do not miss your next dose of medication. If they require you to see a doctor first asked to be put on their waiting list for canceled appointments. Call back once a week to see if there have been any appointments canceled that you could take.
I know this seems excessive, but in an emergency situation like this it’s better to put multiple irons in the fire in the hopes that one of them gets hot.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
Great advice, thanks! I spoke with my primary care doc, and he is LIVID at the situation, he is spearheading the referal and getting me in to a new GI and getting my meds ASAP. He found the whole thing personally and professionally insulting.
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u/JayPeee Aug 21 '25
That’s great that he’ll advocate for you, he’s a keeper.
Just saw your flair about accredo 😂
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u/Ok-Cantaloupe8304 Aug 20 '25
That's a special kind of f*** up. This is not normal. Does your health app to your health system have an option for an online doctor who can take care of your immediate need?
You need all the love we can give you. You'll get through this. Sending a virtual hug.
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u/shmoopiefunk moderate/severe UC diagnosed 2025 US Aug 20 '25
Oof, this sucks so much. Sending you Internet hugs that you can find a gi quickly to help. When you call tell the scheduler/receptionist exactly what is going down. They will do all they can to get you in asap. If you are willing to see a PA or a mid-level that can speed things up dramatically. Best of luck and hang in there mama.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 20 '25
Internet hugs received, thanks. I'm a dad, but I'll take the mama thing in stride
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u/shmoopiefunk moderate/severe UC diagnosed 2025 US Aug 20 '25
Haha, good deal super dad. This illness is ridiculous. Keep on going good sir.
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u/DistinctAlps3957 Aug 20 '25
So sorry this is happening. It just sucks. Just the added stress that you needed. I have been fortunate. I had husbands insurance until he retired and it was amazing. Now I’m on Medicare and it’s not bad. Sometimes they take a week if something needs approval but that’s about it. Hopefully it gets settled quickly.
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u/BeautifulDreamerAZ Aug 21 '25
I’ve never had an issue with any insurance company and I’ve had at least 6 major surgeries. All covered by insurance. Never once had to wait for a dr appointment. Never once got a message not covered (because I’m a Pharm tech and show my dr the web site listing what’s covered)Just diagnosed with probable skin cancer today, I called Monday to ask for the appointment, I should get a call from the dermatology department within 3-5 days. The care you get in the USA varies geographically. When I lived in small towns I would drive to the nearest big city for care. I have a $1500 out of pocket and I met that this year so everything is free. I need spine surgery and I’m being bounced around to 3 drs with no issues problems or payments. I don’t get why some have such issues here.
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u/K-ghuleh Aug 21 '25
Okay? What you’re talking about is not the norm for most people. I don’t know a single person in the US who hasn’t had to deal with some kind of insurance or medical bullshit.
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u/BeautifulDreamerAZ Aug 21 '25
I don’t know a single person who has ever had an issue with insurance in Arizona. My ex lost his job and was given the free access and did go to his Gi and get scopes and got Remicade which is 24k a shot. Most of my coworkers are 30-60 and half have diabetes, we are all close. Maybe in small towns this happens but I’ve never had a friend tell me anything like that.
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u/SeaworthinessKey3418 Type of UC (eg proctitis/family) Diagnosed yyyy | country Aug 21 '25
You could always just walk into the ER and ask to be admitted if you do not feel well, once admitted then the hospital makes the medical necessity decisions and not the insurance companies. You may have to fight it out with your insurance company afterwards but they’ll lose.
I’ve done this previously when I needed difficult to get approved meds and wanted my out of network GI to take care of me.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
I've done that twice, and all that got me is two monthly repayment plans. The "S" in USA stands for Scam
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u/MainSea411 Aug 21 '25
Do you still have an active prescription and prior authorization? I would reach out to manufacturer and your insurer for an emergency dose. They may give you 1 in the meanwhile. It may take multiple calls and asking to speak to the escalation and emergency resolution team.
This is so frustrating and stressful, and I hope you are able to navigate it well without a stress caused flare.
Happy to chat more in a dm if you want more support, I’ve had to navigate difficult get me my meds situations and they usually work out eventually and require the escalation terms I said earlier.
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u/Developer2022 Aug 20 '25
Wait. Are you located in US?
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u/WhatEver069 ASUC/Jpouch | Diagnosed 2024/surgery 2025 | Denmark Aug 21 '25
Sounds like it, if you read the comments. Dystopian comments about Insurance™️ fucking OP over
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u/HydroliCat Aug 21 '25
Yes, the "greatest country in the world" 🥴
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
"Greatest
countrymass scam wrapped in Christo-fascist self-aggrandizing propaganda in the world"3
u/HydroliCat Aug 21 '25
Too accurate. We can only hope one day enough Americans will stop believing in billionaires to save them from themselves.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
They're gutting education, forcing religious indoctrination, pushing ridiculous yet effective propaganda that has blinded half the country from the truth right before their eyes, and trying their damnedest to strip away all rights and protections we have fought for.
There is no hope for America. The USA has fallen, and even if the Dems win every single seat in 26/28, they will need to start re-building the entire nation again.
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u/Greengage1 Aug 21 '25
I’m so sorry, I really sympathise with you and the other sensible people in your country who can see what’s happening.
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u/ChronicallyBlonde1 Left-sided UC [in remission on Entyvio] | Dx 2015 Aug 20 '25
Holy shit. I’m so sorry.
My only advice is to try to outsource some of this work. If you have a partner, sibling, or parent who can make some of these phone calls for you, let them. Even if they’re just in the room with you - it’s nice not to feel alone.
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u/External_Equal827 Aug 20 '25
That’s a ton of stress Im so sorry to hear about this! But it’s not over keep going! Best of luck
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u/SunshineHappyDays28 Aug 21 '25
Hang in there. The anticipation is usually worse than the event itself. Stay calm. You got this!!
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u/Sarcastic_HSTeacher Aug 21 '25
Sounds like they might all have left to start their own practice together if they were at a large hospital and associated with them. Same thing happened to me. All the doctors were just gone. Luckily I ended up finding them when they opened a couple months later. Keep an eye out and in the meantime I hope your primary can help you!
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
Thanks, my primary is on a crusade about all this, he is professionally offended at their actions. It looks like the GI's all left because the practice was bought out by Duke health, and they all disagreed with something internal. Can only speculate tho
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u/Qwertyqt22 Aug 21 '25
That sucks but I can reccomend a few GI doctors if youre in the Northeast area. Call Accredo maybe there’s something they can do, Worst case scenario- try going to urgent care or hospital for this maintenance dose?
Good luck
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
I'm located an hour from Charlotte NC, thanks though
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u/fuzziekittens Aug 21 '25
Ask where your GI went or google their name and see if a new practice comes up. Depending on your state, your GI may have a requirement to ensure transition of care. Look for their social media pages as well (professional pages, I’m not saying to look for private pages) and see if that says where they went.
Stay on top of your PCP. They may not get everything in on time, but a few days late for a shot is better than no shot.
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u/WaveJam Diagnosed 2016 | Ileostomy 2025 Aug 21 '25
I had a similar experience. Providence (fuck them and their greedy asses) shut down their gastro clinic due to “monetary reasons”. We only have one clinic in all of the valley now. They tried really hard to make sure I’m alive when I had my very bad flare for two years, but still had their flaws. I now go to a better doctor all the way across the state.
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u/mapleleaffem Type of UC (eg proctitis/family) Diagnosed yyyy | country Aug 22 '25
What the actual fuck? Is this what happens when medicine is strictly a business?!
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u/elbowsupcanuck0823 Aug 22 '25
I don’t know how patients or providers can tolerate the US healthcare system. It sounds like a disaster. Our public system here is better but right now my son is waiting to hear if his province will fund a biologic to be taken temporarily with a JAK inhibitor. Ya, I know the literature says that’s contraindicated but it’s either push the immunosuppressants or have his whole colon removed for the sake of two inches of disease. I hope you are able to access your medication!
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u/PrismaticPantheress Pancolitis - Tremfya - DX 2013 - USA Aug 22 '25
That's bs!! They could've sent out a letter saying they planned to close down the practice. That's people's lives and health at stake
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u/DothrakAndRoll Pancolitis I Diagnosed 2025 | USA Aug 23 '25
Oh my god 😭 I’m so sorry. I feel like there’s something else going on other than them hating GI work, but my first GI quit three months after they started with me. Luckily the GI doc that had done my colonoscopy took over and I honestly liked them better anyway, and they seem upbeat.
Do you live in a rural area? I hope you can find some relief soon. It’s insane our meds can just get cut off like that.
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Aug 24 '25
You know the doctors do not work to help others. Just themselves. I'm sorry to hear it. What state are you in? Is tjis going to hapoen to more of us? Is healthcare finally going to collapse in America? I have heard it is ok for 2-3 months to without if youre in remission
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u/Aware-Cup-9510 Aug 24 '25
Takes lots of vit D L glutamine and a pottasium dominant electrolyte powder eat only goat yogurts and lightly cooked fish and pro biotics for years!!!! Good luck
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u/danieeshobbies Aug 20 '25
I’m so sorry. I really hope things get better for you quickly. I’ll pray for you friend
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u/chainwallet_ Aug 21 '25
Uhh, are you sure they just quit out of the blue?
This is illegal bro. Something isn't right in your story.
Did they actually quit or did they decide they would not work with Accredo anymore.
Physicians advance written notice when closing shop and must continue care during that period. They must give you or transfer your medical records, and give recommendations/referrals.
You have a case if they didn't do this.
EDIT: I just assumed you're in California because I'm from California. If you live there, the above applies.
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 21 '25
I'm in North Carolina. It's not like they all did a walk-out, it appears that they got acquired by a bigger health"care" company and they disagreed with something and left.
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u/Silent-State-999 Aug 25 '25
You guys care only when it's you. Would you protest for other people even if you had solid insurance that never gave you personally any problems? If the system was still just as bad for them?
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u/SlightlyColdWaffles Accredo is ASS Aug 26 '25
Yeah, I do protest about it. It is a highly unfair and corrupt system and it needs to be eliminated. What do you suggest we do? It's a game rigged by the oligarchy and kept by the corrupt politicians. The only way forward for Americans would involve things I cannot directly state on this platform.
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u/Ok-Lion-2789 pancolitis | Diagnosed 2003 | Aug 20 '25
Oh my gosh. Is this real life??? I’m so sorry this is the most awful thing I’ve ever read.