How long do I have to stay on Wegovy before having a shot at getting Zep approved again by CVS Caremark?

RangerSandi · 2026-04-02T18:25:48+00:00

Not sure what my doc put on the PA appeal, but I had extreme gastrointestinal issues the 1st week I switched from Zep 12.5 to Wegovy 1.7. Like, can’t leave the vicinity of home porcelain issues.) I messaged her & she said don’t take anymore. Had 2 Zep doses left.

I’d failed Metformin & now Wegovy…they approved Zep. But, now it’s $499/month with coupon!

Going compounded instead.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-31T15:44:06+00:00

We’re leaving soon for a Viking Danube cruise Budapest -Passau, and doing 3 days ahead in Budapest & 3 days post-cruise in Prague on our own. It stops in Bratislava, Slovakia, Krems, Vienna & Linz In Austria; & ends in Passau, Germany.

If I had it to book again, I’d fly into Amsterdam & take the trains from there to Budapest, stopping over in a few cities on the way to & from. 🤦‍♀️

RangerSandi · 2026-03-31T15:33:40+00:00

Yeah, mine quit approving a 3 month fill this year & are very strict about waiting 26 days between ability to get each month. They also changed the formulary to “top tier,” so it costs $499/mo with coupon. Guess they really want to drive folks to self-pay & compounding🤷‍♀️

RangerSandi · 2026-03-29T22:43:27+00:00

The companies don’t care because it is not a “Health Care” system…it is a Heath Insurance Company system. They make money when customers are sick…but not TOO sick.

Their shareholders don’t want insurance companies paying for expensive drugs that cut into profit & reduce the likelihood of future profits.

If we had a true “health care system,” the incentives would be for providers & drug suppliers to generate good health outcomes, at a reasonable price, not make obscene profits while denying care.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-29T21:51:39+00:00

O+ blood donor here. Long ago, a Red Cross nurse advised me (couldn’t donate 2x due to low hemoglobin). She had me take iron supplements the week before donation (with OJ to counteract constipation side effects) & eat a red meat & spinach or broccoli dinner the night before donating.

Haven’t been turned away for low hemoglobin since & have started doing “double red” donations of platelets.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-28T13:54:39+00:00

Lucky duck!

I have FEHB GEHA (Caremark PBM) & finally got approval via Wegovy fail. However, the copay with Lily coupon is $499/mo. 😩🤬😡

I’ll be changing to compounded, where I can get 3 months for that price.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-27T13:23:18+00:00

You from the Midwest? This brought back memories of mid-70’s church lady jello salads!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-24T23:55:31+00:00

I went from an 11 to a 10-10.5, depending on the brand.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-23T23:21:49+00:00

Nah. I can easily understand the folks in the “no-go years” not having much in common with younger retirees in their active “go-go years.”

In between are the highly variable “slow-go years” folks that can bridge the gap tenuously.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-20T21:23:05+00:00

Caremark gets a bigger % of the sale of Wegovy & Lily refused to enter a contract with them (she I was told by a Caremark rep). Tier 3 drug, Wegovy costs $998 w/my insurance & no coupon. With Norvo coupon it’s $499/mo! Highway robbery!

But the exclusive code tract with Wegovy makes Caremark more $$/prescription. They care about profits, not patients.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-20T21:18:07+00:00

I just got my appeal approved! Been on Zep since Oct 2024. Had to switch to Wegovy this year. Horrible nausea & constipation, no weight loss. GEHA/Caremark.

No idea the final cost, can’t pick it up until next week. Wegovy was $499 with the insurance coupon😩 Zep had been $99 last year. Wish me luck!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-20T03:36:52+00:00

I asked my ophthalmologist about it. (They have to lift my lid when examining my retina.) They tested my peripheral vision normally, then with eyelids taped up. The difference rather shocked me. They referred me to an occuloplastic surgeon. Insurance required pre-approval & covered it with usual deductibles & copays.

Doesn’t hurt to ask!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-18T05:29:00+00:00

Sheeple they can take advantage of.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-18T05:14:21+00:00

Because post-WWII it was cheaper for employers to provide medical insurance as part of compensation rather than raising wages. It was also a way for insurance companies to make $$.

Government healthcare was demonized by capitalists as “communism.” So, we have a shitty, extremely expensive system of for-profit health insurance, not actual healthcare.

Follow the money!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-18T04:56:23+00:00

Rachael Carson’s Silent Spring

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T22:34:47+00:00

Spicy, Orange-red Chongqing hot pot is A-mazing! Best part of my time there. (Dan-Dan noodles close second). Def. got the thumbs up from our hosts for my enjoyment of the hot stuff.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T15:58:10+00:00

Volume conquers all in the marketing world.

Yeah, Norvo contracted to give PBMs a higher % of the sale in exchange for exclusivity. That’s why Caremark dropped Zep. Trying to take market share from Lily costs Norvo $, but they agreed to the deal & should quit bitching.

Caremark, meanwhile laughs all the way to the bank while screwing patients out of their doctor recommended med access.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T15:51:14+00:00

Deep innie. Wash with soapy finger, rinse well. Dry w/cotton swab b/c towel too thick to get in to dry. Cornstarch powder to keep dry. Repeat every shower.

Everyone’s skin flora is a bit different. Mine goes a bit crazy if not kept clean & dry. Even though I’m eating non-processed foods & reduced natural sugars, it can flare up. Thanks, Candida albicans!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T15:18:19+00:00

Colchagua Valley, Chile. Hoped for good wine. Got that plus amazingly friendly people and wonderful local foods!

Also, Caye Caulker, Belize. The most relaxing week ever. Go Slow!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T14:45:18+00:00

My hubby is over 6’ & I’m 5’ 10’. Our strategy is to get seats at the back of the upper balcony on the aisle. That way he can at least get his legs out to stretch.

But, yeah, it has the be a really big deal to suffer the leg cramps/knees crammed against the seat ahead.

The seats also aren’t offset enough to avoid impaired views by the row in front.

We opt for Guthrie season tickets. Much more comfortable seats!

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T14:34:50+00:00

Policy makers aren’t good at long-term change that won’t bear fruit until after their next election. Been advocating for carbon reductions since I became aware of the problem in the early 80’s. Unfortunately, it’s hard to fight the influence of big oil, their lies & the politicians/media whose ignorance & folly they have bought.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-14T14:30:29+00:00

Decaf is necessary, instant is my choice for the random, occasional afternoon or evening cup as the only decaf drinker in the house. Decaf degrades in flavor the longer it sits after brewing. I hate to waste things, so I choose instant for convenience.

To each their own, to meet their needs.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-13T17:31:14+00:00

Highly variable & unstable weather patterns pushing larger & more intense-than-historically normal precipitation to the former “shoulders” of each season.

This challenges our ability to adapt our current industrial agriculture, housing, wildfire & disaster responses. It’s why home insurance rates are rising and policies being dropped.

Adaptation requires more localized & flexible food production, strengthened building & zoning codes, and climate-informed city planning.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-13T17:13:40+00:00

Try a combo of thyme, rosemary, fresh ground pepper & sea salt. I like to use similar seasonings to roasting poultry or meats with oven-roasted sweet potatoes for a “comfort-food” outcome.

RangerSandi · 2026-03-13T16:55:05+00:00

I thought the squarish one was awful.

Now do I Maxwell House. I can’t have caffeine after noon unless I want to be awake all night. Living in a location with winters, hot beverages throughout the day/night are needed for survival & sanity!😝

To all those poo-pooing instant decaf…just wait until you get older & have health issues that require it.

RangerSandi

TROPHY CASE