The Monkey Scratch
POV: After reading below, if you see me foaming at the mouth anytime soon, you'll know why
Needing a 4th dose of rabies vaccination after being scratched by a monkey in Bali (details below if you are interested), I began calling around a week in advance to see where I could get one. My PCP doesn't have it. Gottlieb Pharmacy doesn't carry it. UIC travel clinic is $500 just for the vaccination. My travel insurance doesn't cover anything at home. And since I have a HMO, I need a referral to get it but the travel clinic won't submit claims to the insurance company. The story doesn't end here (and as I write that, it seems like this would make a great TikTok🤣).
So, after talking with BCBS, they told me Gottlieb should have it. So I call them back and they say they can order it. But my PCP has to submit a prescription for it. Great, done.
I called Gottlieb today to ensure they have it, and they then told me I can pick it up, BUT they can't administer it. So, I called my PCP back to get an appointment to administer it, and they told me they couldn't administer it if I delivered it. SO WTF? How do I get the vaccination to my PCP so they can administer it?
This is a serious failure of our health system that getting a vaccination is so hard. There was a rabid bat in Chicago last weekend, and people at the venue were notified of exposure and the possible need for a rabies vaccination. I hope they don't go through what I am going through to get this vaccination.
Back Story: As you all know, last month, while in Ubud, I was scratched by a monkey. While the monkeys in the Monkey Forest are rabies-free, some dogs in Bali carry rabies. So, the doctor in Bali suggested a four-course rabies vaccination.
I got my first and second doses in Bali. About $200 USD total for wound care, two vaccinations, and the doctor's visit to the hotel.
I got my third dose in Vietnam. About $300 USD total for wound care, one vaccination, bacteria cultures, the hospital visit, and antibiotics.
Update:
No clinic or doctor is willing to administer this for me. Liability. I get it. But seriously, this is a problem. Could you imagine asking just anyone who has no experience with needles to stick a needle in my arm?!?! Lucky for me, I have a doctor “friend” who is willing to help. What about people who don't have medical worker friends?
Update #2:
The Chicago Department of Public Health clinics also do not have nor do they administer the rabies vaccination. Update: No clinic or doctor is willing to administer this for me. Liability. I get it. But seriously, this is a problem. Could you imagine asking just anyone who has no experience with needles to stick a needle in my arm?!?! Lucky for me, I have a doctor “friend” who is willing to help. What about people who don't have medical worker friends? POV: After reading below, if you see me foaming at the mouth anytime soon, you'll know why Needing a 4th dose of rabies vaccination after being scratched by a monkey in Bali (details below if you are interested), I began calling around a week in advance to see where I could get one. My PCP doesn't have it. Gottlieb Pharmacy doesn't carry it. UIC travel clinic is $500 just for the vaccination. My travel insurance doesn't cover anything at home. And since I have a HMO, I need a referral to get it but the travel clinic won't submit claims to the insurance company. The story doesn't end here (and as I write that, it seems like this would make a great TikTok 🤣). So, after talking with BCBS, they told me Gottlieb should have it. So I call them back and they say they can order it. But my PCP has to submit a prescription for it. Great, done. I called Gottlieb today to ensure they have it, and they then told me I can pick it up, BUT they can't administer it. So, I called my PCP back to get an appointment to administer it, and they told me they couldn't administer it if I delivered it. SO WTF? How do I get the vaccination to my PCP so they can administer it? This is a serious failure of our health system that getting a vaccination is so hard. There was a rabid bat in Chicago last weekend, and people at the venue were notified of exposure and the possible need for a rabies vaccination. I hope they don't go through what I am going through to get this vaccination. Back Story: As you all know, last month, while in Ubud, I was scratched by a monkey. While the monkeys in the Monkey Forest are rabies-free, some dogs in Bali carry rabies. So, the doctor in Bali suggested a four-course rabies vaccination. I got my first and second doses in Bali. About $200 USD total for wound care, two vaccinations, and the doctor's visit to the hotel. I got my third dose in Vietnam. About $300 USD total for wound care, one vaccination, bacteria cultures, the hospital visit, and antibiotics.