The Pharmacy / Name Game
A couple of amusing things have happened lately, both revolving around my name change (NOTE: Said with a great deal of irony) & my local pharmacy.
First, several days ago, I was picking up a prescription renewal. I'm at a point where I can change "some" things to the new name, as long as they don't involve the Social Security Administration or the Military / VA. My doctors' office now has me under the new name, with a note to still bill my insurance (Tricare - retired military) under "his" name. So, as I'm picking up my refill, I ask if they'd be able to change my name there.
Without any additional information, the tech - who I swear I'd NEVER seen or talked to before, knew exactly who I was, what the name was changing from, & what to! Advantages of a small town & the local gossip network. (They couldn't, by the way. Oh, well, I'm 'still' Richard there for now).
Evidently, however, the rumor mill hasn't reached quite everyone yet. After a checkup with the doc this morning, I go to the pharmacy to pick up a couple of new items she called in for me. The clerk (another I'd never dealt with before) asks my name & date of birth. I reply, as always, simply, "King, 1/14/61". She checks her computer, & tells me it's not there. I tell her I just came from the doc, & saw her send it in myself. She checks again, & says, "Catherine King, 1/14/61. Nope." CATHERINE?!?! She evidently just went with the first FEMALE King name with that birthday she saw. Grand - I get to explain "myself". This is getting embarrassing! lol
Turns out the doctor's office called it in under "Emily". {sigh} While waiting on them to get it straightened out, I do some other shopping. After a few minutes, I hear over the loudspeaker, "Emily Rose Owens, please report to the pharmacy." Wow! First time I've been paged with the new name! :D
I referred above to the SSA. They seem to be finding every excuse possible to drag their heels as much as they can. When they first got the paperwork, they said they'd have it complete within 6 weeks. That was in March. Meanwhile, anything requiring me to reference that is in a limbo area. "Emily" doesn't have an SSN; "Richard" (who DOES) is no longer my legal name. Figure the situations for yourself. For example: I can't vote. I'm not registered (Emily isn't, that is), & I'm no longer legally "Richard." (Confused yet? I sure am!) The VA will likely take years the way things are going.
Hey - Social Security! I want my name, please. This decade would be nice!
NOT holding my breath.
First, several days ago, I was picking up a prescription renewal. I'm at a point where I can change "some" things to the new name, as long as they don't involve the Social Security Administration or the Military / VA. My doctors' office now has me under the new name, with a note to still bill my insurance (Tricare - retired military) under "his" name. So, as I'm picking up my refill, I ask if they'd be able to change my name there.
Without any additional information, the tech - who I swear I'd NEVER seen or talked to before, knew exactly who I was, what the name was changing from, & what to! Advantages of a small town & the local gossip network. (They couldn't, by the way. Oh, well, I'm 'still' Richard there for now).
Evidently, however, the rumor mill hasn't reached quite everyone yet. After a checkup with the doc this morning, I go to the pharmacy to pick up a couple of new items she called in for me. The clerk (another I'd never dealt with before) asks my name & date of birth. I reply, as always, simply, "King, 1/14/61". She checks her computer, & tells me it's not there. I tell her I just came from the doc, & saw her send it in myself. She checks again, & says, "Catherine King, 1/14/61. Nope." CATHERINE?!?! She evidently just went with the first FEMALE King name with that birthday she saw. Grand - I get to explain "myself". This is getting embarrassing! lol
Turns out the doctor's office called it in under "Emily". {sigh} While waiting on them to get it straightened out, I do some other shopping. After a few minutes, I hear over the loudspeaker, "Emily Rose Owens, please report to the pharmacy." Wow! First time I've been paged with the new name! :D
I referred above to the SSA. They seem to be finding every excuse possible to drag their heels as much as they can. When they first got the paperwork, they said they'd have it complete within 6 weeks. That was in March. Meanwhile, anything requiring me to reference that is in a limbo area. "Emily" doesn't have an SSN; "Richard" (who DOES) is no longer my legal name. Figure the situations for yourself. For example: I can't vote. I'm not registered (Emily isn't, that is), & I'm no longer legally "Richard." (Confused yet? I sure am!) The VA will likely take years the way things are going.
Hey - Social Security! I want my name, please. This decade would be nice!
NOT holding my breath.