Absurdities
I stopped by the post office today to check my PO Box and in it were a number of useless items. The most entertaining (and also slightly disturbing) item, however, was sent by my health insurance company to help encourage me to to talk to my doctor about the myriad of medications I may or may not be taking. In this case, I think a picture is worth a thousand words:
You're not seeing things: my insurance company took the time to print up some words of encouragement on A BROWN PAPER BAG. Apparently, I'm supposed to put all my prescriptions and OTC meds in this here brown paper bag so I can talk with my doctor about them! What really irks me is the very last sentence printed on the bag: "Be sure to discuss generic drug options with your doctor or health-care provider."
How freaking stupid do they think we are??
Yes, Big Health Insurance Conglomerate, I KNOW you want me to save you money by taking generic or less costly drugs that "do the same thing." You've only sent me 20 bazillion other pieces of paper and emails reminding me of the cost savings with generics! But don't you think I would be taking generics or the cheaper "similar" drugs if I could? (Seriously, I'd prefer to spend less on prescriptions!) The sad fact of the matter is, sometimes the "similar" drugs just aren't the same. I'm sorry, but they're just not, and I'm not going to sacrifice my health or (more importantly) my last shred of sanity, to save you $30 a month!
This is, in my view, the single stupidest marketing campaign I've seen in years... not to mention a collossal waste of natural resources. (It is only slightly less ridiculous than the Cascade 2in1 ActionPak press release I highlighted last year.)
(And you know, don't get me wrong: I am very, very grateful to have health insurance in the first place! I'm just sayin', fewer insults to my intelligence would be appreciated...)
Comments
OMG! I am speechless, which doesn't happen all that often...wow...doncha wonder what the COST of this marketing tool was?!? Probably a LOT more than any generic drug would save them...whew...speechless.
Linda D. in Seattle
Posted by: Linda D. | October 25, 2007 12:30 AM
that photo just made my day . . . gotta love healthcare systems in the US ;)
Posted by: Sara | October 25, 2007 01:27 AM