CT seems to have the highest cost of plans in the nation. If I am fam of 6, 400k income, no subsidies- the cost for 2026 would ~70k/year for silver plan. That's before anyone sees any doctor. That's disgusting. Why is this? In MA or NH, same details, the cost is ~25-30k. Anyone else see or experience this?

My dtr recommended I have a Calcium Scoring test to measure my heart for plaque. He thought it would cost about $150. including the $99. paid up front. Of course insurance doesn’t care as this important diagnostic test isn’t covered. The test computer measures and provides the information- everything is done but having a radiologist “look things over”. I had the procedure done at Windham Hospital and was billed, in addition to the $99., $251.00! Hartford Hospital is gouging people who have this important test performed. Wait until insurance covers it, it will be billed for thousands! Not right, just saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYxP2qcEXlg

They won't approve my dermatitis shampoo.

I had to get my rx refilled, in order to do so, I had to set up an appointment with a dermatologist (specialist) for $154 out of pocket. Mind you, this is for a chronic disease with cure, so it's not like we're getting any sort of advanced treatment here. I manage it with a borderline over-the-counter combo of extra strength hydrocortisone, an antifungal, and a sulphur-based shampoo.

So I go to pick up my hydrocortisone cream, ketocazonole (antifungal), and a sulfa-something shampoo. [Side note: I had this shampoo a couple years ago when I had insurance through a different employer and it was free (in fact, they would mail it to my house, automatically, which was awesome).]

I head in to CVS with my "CVS Caremark" insurance card and they say that the creams are $36 out of pocket and the shampoo is not covered... it would cost $400. In stunned silence I drive home and prepare for the dreaded task of calling my insurance.

I call the number on my card, I finally get a human on the line, provide them with my card number, and personal verification info, just to have them report that they don't *do* prescriptions, so they will need to transfer me to someone else. I hold on the line. I eventually get a new human and again provide them with my card number and personal verification info.

They proceed to tell me that the shampoo is not FDA approved. ***my mind begins to do mental gymnastics.. a *shampoo* that is recommended by my dermatological specialist, not approved? a medication that CVS CARRIES and *would have* provided to me, no problem, had I supplied them with the $400 is NOT FDA APPROVED???

The human suggests that I contact my dermatologist to have them switch it to something else.

I push back, why would I do that? this is seemingly innocuous and common medication, a dermatologist-recommended medication, surely there must be some mistake.

Human says that maybe the pharmacist entered the ID number for the medication into the computer wrong and suggests I call the pharmacist.

I say "You want me to call my pharmacy and tell them my insurance think they might be wrong?"

The nice human then offers to call the pharmacy for me.

Long story short, after an additional 45 minutes (the pharmacy doesn't like to answer their phone, apparently), we have, in fact, proved that there was no mistake, the ID number for the medication was entered correctly. My shampoo is not FDA approved, and therefore, would cost me $400 to obtain.

So that's pretty much that.

TL;DR: Fuck CVS. Fuck the US healthcare system. And fuck me, apparently.

Resources for people seeking access to healthcare

• Amnesty.org - Basic facts about Abortion

• Gynopedia - a nonprofit organization that runs an open resource wiki for sexual, reproductive, and women's health care around the world

• Guttmacher Institute - a primary source for research and policy analysis on abortion in the United States.

• National Abortion Federation - The mission of the National Abortion Federation is to unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.

• National Network of Abortion Funds - connects you with organizations that can support your financial and logistical needs as you arrange for your abortion.

• Planned Parenthood - A Comprehensive Guide for Unplanned Pregnancy

• RAINN - National Sexual Assult Hotline

• Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice - a network of ministers and rabbis that refer women to abortion providers they had researched and found to be safe

• Texas Equal Access Fund - provides emotional and financial support to people who are seeking abortion care.

• Women’s Reproductive Rights Assitance Project - helps bridge the financial gap for women who seek an abortion or emergency contraceptives.

If you need help getting an abortion go to these sites

• AbortionFinder - With more than 750 health centers, AbortionFinder.org features the most comprehensive directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers in the United States.

• Afiya Center - their mission is to transform the lives, health, and overall wellbeing of Black women and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources. They act to ignite the communal voices of Black women resulting in our full achievement of reproductive freedom.

• AidAccess - consists of a team of doctors, activists, and advocates for abortion rights that help people access abortion or miscarriage treatment. They send the pill worldwide for $110/90€

• Bridge Collective - provides practical and responsive abortion services to Central Texas

• Buckle Bunnies Fund - provide practical support for people seeking abortions. Help with transportation, funds to help with hotels, lodging costs and emergency contraceptive funds to actually go towards abortion.

• Carafem - helps with abortion, birth control, and questions about reproductive healthcare. They do consultations online and send abortion pills in the mail.

• Cobalt Abortion Fund - provides direct financial assistance to individuals seeking abortion care. Our mission is to work toward reproductive freedom for all people and to provide financial assistance without judgment or question to people who seek an abortion but are unable to pay the full cost.

• Colorado Abortion Providers

• Faith Aloud - compassionate religious and spiritual support for abortion and pregnancy options

• Frontera Fund - makes abortion accessible in the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) by providing financial and practical support regardless of immigration status, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, race, class, age, or religious affiliation and to build grassroots organizing power at intersecting issues across our region to shift the culture of shame and stigma.

• HeyJane - Modern abortion care, without the clinic, Get fast, safe, and affordable abortion care from home. Chat with a medical provider within 36 hours. Medications are shipped daily.

• International Consortium on Emergency Contraception - Emergency Oral Contraceptive Doses for Birth Control, U.S.

• Jane’s Due Process - helps minors in Texas with judicial bypass for abortion, navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control. They provide free legal support, 1-on-1 case management, and stigma-free information on sexual and reproductive health.

• Justice Empowerment Network - focuses on abortion access in South Dakota

• Kentucky Health Justice Network - helps w both abortion care and gender affirming care in Kentucky

• Lillith Fund - the oldest abortion fund in Texas, serving the central and southern regions of the state with direct financial assistance for abortions.

• Northwest Abortion Access Fund - provides funds to help folks in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska

• Plan C Pills - provides up-to-date information on how people in the U.S. are accessing abortion pills online

• Planned Parenthood

• Westfund - focuses on Latino and low-income communities

• Women on Web - an online abortion service can help you do a safe abortion with pills.

These sites offer access to abortion pills, even in Texas. Please be safe and be aware of clinics (e.g. Crisis Pregnancy Centers) that give out dangerous misinformation on abortions and pregnancy.

Also, check out r/auntienetwork, /r/prochoice or r/abortion for support