After grabbing a couple of beers with a friend a few months back, I popped into Walgreens across the street for a flu shot. They’re saying it’s one of the worst flu seasons, and I definitely didn’t want to catch the swine flu. I’ve never been a fan of needles. It’s not the prick of the needle that bothers me; it’s the weird feeling of the liquid being pushed into my veins. Honestly, I don’t know how people who use heroin can handle it every day.
This time, I hardly felt the needle, probably because I was slightly buzzed. Maybe a little liquid courage isn’t such a bad idea before getting a shot—though you might want to check with your doctor first. When it was time to pay, the pharmacist hit me with a $34.95 charge. Over the last 11 years, I’ve never had to pay for a flu shot. My old firm used to bring in a pharmacist to administer them for free, and for the last couple of years, my insurance covered it. However, the pharmacist insisted that my insurance wouldn’t cover this particular strain of the vaccine. I found it odd but didn’t have the energy to debate or call my insurance right there. So, I just paid the fee. The hassle of saving $35 didn’t seem worth it at the moment.
As time went on, I couldn’t shake it off. About a month later, a close friend mentioned getting her flu shot at Walgreens for free through Cigna—my insurance provider. That got me wondering if I was duped. I called Cigna, and sure enough, they confirmed that my flu shot should have been covered. Even though it was just $35, I felt compelled to get my money back. Walgreens, however, stood their ground, claiming the vaccine I received was different—effective but not covered by my insurance.
This experience reminded me of the importance of always checking with your insurance before getting any treatment. Now, I make it a habit to review my insurance coverage yearly to keep on top of things like co-pays and deductibles. And even though it was a hassle, I contested the charge on my credit card and even filed a claim with Cigna for reimbursement. Saving money sometimes isn’t just about the amount; it’s the principle.
It’s essential to manage your finances proactively. Using tools like Personal Capital can help. It aggregates all your accounts in one place, showing you where to cut costs and how to manage your money better. Before using Personal Capital, I had to log into multiple accounts to keep track of my finances. Now, it’s all in one place, making it easier to see everything from stock performance to my overall net worth.
If you take one thing from this, let it be the importance of understanding your health coverage and fighting for your rights when it comes to insurance claims. Even if it’s for a seemingly small amount, standing up for yourself can save you money and prevent unnecessary expenses. Don’t let the complexities of health insurance deter you from getting the coverage you’re entitled to.
