I am annoyed at something I shouldn't be.

[saraandmichael]

This is hemo related, yet unrelated to me. I know its none of my business, but I am really pissed off about this.

So there are these homecare companies that service a major portion of the hemo families. They are specialized and normally deal with only hemophilia, which is a super expensive disorder to treat. Which means there is a shit fuck ton of money to be made by having you as a client.

In the last week or so, I have seen several pictures of expensive dinners out with a girl that happens to live in my area that has a 1 year-old severe hemo. She is a single mom, and young and dumb to boot. But every time I see these photos and tags that she makes with them I cannot help but get riled up that these reps are taking advantage of her and trying to keep her business by paying for shit for her and doing things that they shouldn't be. Its not uncommon for them to find a way to pay your bills or slip you money.

She has also, conveniently, recently decided that she herself suffers from bleeds and now needs treatment. And she is getting her factor from the same company that is wining and dining her.

I know this probably sounds dumb, but I am so irritated at these people who are doing this. She is totally being taken advantage of and I am floored that people in the industry have no problem doing this to vulnerable parents. And this is not the first time I have seen it happen...its just so wrong.

[saraandmichael]

Aug 13, 2012 17:26:30 GMT -5 mofongo said:

This is an honest question, how are they making money off of her? Is it from her insurance? Or do they get funding for servicing patients? It reminds of how drug reps used to take doctors on golf trips/weekend getaways/dinners, etc. But is seems worse. Do you know her well enough to talk to her about it? Also, how does someone just decide they have hemo?

Yes, the cost of the drugs that are charged to the patient vs the cost they pay for them from the pharma company. Personally, the reps get money for clients they bring in to the company.

I don't know her well enough to talk to her about it, so I am keeping my mouth shut.

Women that carry the hemo gene can be what is referred to as symptomatic carriers. Our levels are below normal and sometimes people have joint bleeds. In the last 6 months she has decided that even though her levels are the same as they have been through life that she is now having joint bleeds and needs to infuse roughly 3x a week. Based on my guess for her weight, it is roughly $45,000 worth of factor for her per month.

[saraandmichael]

Yes, she would need a diagnosis. Which, if your levels are low isn't difficult to do since there is no way to tell if you are or are not having pain. Example - today she is convinced there is a bleed going on in her knuckle.

But that isnt the part that I am so bothered by. Its the homecare reps that are taking advantage of her. And I am guessing play some part in her sudden need to begin treating herself.

[saraandmichael]

Aug 13, 2012 18:27:29 GMT -5 ste said:

So is she basically wasting drugs? That someone else actually needs?

No. She is not taking them from her child and there isn't a shortage of factor.

Still, this isn't the point!

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Ew! The whole situation is gross!