Last year, Ian Goldstein received a shocking call from CVS claiming he owed $23,000 for his Crohn’s disease medication. This news plunged the Brooklyn-based comedian and writer into a state of despair. Battling billing errors and coverage issues due to his condition since his teenage years, Mr. Goldstein felt overwhelmed.
After a frustrating call with the pharmacy, he took a walk to clear his mind, only to find himself overwhelmed by panic. Mr. Goldstein, 32, shared his experience of the constant vigilance required in dealing with healthcare companies, stating, “There’s always some clerical error that blocks the whole thing up.” It took months of persistent calls – three times a week – for him to finally resolve the issue with CVS.
This year, upon reaching his insurance deductible, Mr. Goldstein decided to mark the occasion with a unique celebration. In June, on a scorching Sunday evening, he hosted a party at the Brooklyn Art Haus, a performance venue in Williamsburg co-owned by a friend. Approximately 60 guests joined him for an evening of camaraderie and storytelling.
Reflecting on the challenges of healthcare, Mr. Goldstein expressed his relief by saying, “Health care is such a problem, I just felt like celebrating that I’ll get to pay less money now.”
| Ian Goldstein’s Healthcare Journey: | |
|---|---|
| Celebration: | Hosting a party to commemorate meeting his health insurance deductible. |
| Struggles: | Dealing with billing errors and coverage issues related to his Crohn’s disease medication. |
| Resolution: | After persistent efforts, finally resolving the $23,000 billing discrepancy with CVS. |
