Why? I have genu-ine, govenrment-issued, portable health insurance!
I’ve been having conversations with Anthem about why they did not forward my app for HIPPA consideration after declining it last August. After repeated inquiries, they now claim I did not ask to be considered for HIPPA if denied, but the app in my hand says I did. So, I did what I do best and went up the ladder to get a decision.
The decision? “Oops. My bad.”
So, within five minutes it is announced that I have coverage, and that I owe them, immediately, five months of premiums of $502 per month. Did I say I have to pay it immediately or they will cancel the insurance? I have thirty days.
I spoke very slowly to the lady on the other end of the phone, “That’s a tall order, paying in thirty days. Do you see the irony here? I have been spending five hundred a month on medications when I could have been spending it on insurance. That is why I may have trouble paying back premiums within thirty days. Do you understand that?”
She did. She even sounded sorry about it. She thanked me for calling and told me to have a nice day. Guess I’ll be looking forward to the paperwork.
I IM’d Guy about it.
Me: [whole revolting story]
Him: So if you owe the back premiums they should cover bills, so it should wash. You can get your money back.
Me: Sure, after I kill the leprechaun and exchange the pot of gold at the bank.
Him: Ok, so we have a cash flow issue.
Me: I have it handled.
Him: Really, don’t sound so convincing. Want me to butt out?
Me: I want to go back to bed and think about it.
Him: Want to let me in on the plan?
Me: There is no plan, Guy. I have to think. I just heard about this myself.
Him: Okay.
So! If you’re about to write to me about some incredibly exciting new product or promotion, DON’T.
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01.14.10 at 04:53 PM |
Oh my stinkin’ heck! Now *I* have a headache.
Bummer. Frickin’ words. The Idiots.
!!!!!!!
A large tall cool one. Or several.
01.14.10 at 08:13 PM |
Fight, fight, fight. Slay leprechauns. Knock over rainbows. Get the money owed to you. Good luck!
01.15.10 at 11:56 AM |
I think that conversation—or a version of it—has been shared in our house a gazillion times. I love my husband to bits but he’s not really involved in solving the day-to-day problems of our house. Keep up the good fight. I always channel my inner Meg Ryan from You’ve Got Mail and throw fake jabs into the air and chant, “Fight. Fight. Fight.”
Love the blog by the way. Just found it but love it.
01.15.10 at 12:47 PM |
AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
xo
01.15.10 at 01:09 PM |
I’m sure you everything will be just fine. I hope you find a way around it though.
01.20.10 at 10:37 AM |
Note: I am not a lawyer, I just don’t take crap from onerous insurance companies and I have had to take them on myself. I always get my way.
The situation : they accepted you into the plan, failed to extend benefits, failed to bill you. The results: you were prevented from paying premium because you were paying for medications.
The situation: they are not engaging in conflict resolution, further suggesting that they are not taking good faith efforts to cure the situation, nor are they taking their contract with you seriously.
The results: you are being stalled, which is a big no no (i.e., reference United Health Care in California - class actions)
The strategy: Call and ask for head of legal department. You probably need to go to the corporate website to do this. Explain your situation. Read my comments. Tell them that there is a form versus substance issue here with the way in which they are conducting their business. Ask to coordinate all actions through this legal contact (not the claims department) and promise that you will be very aggressive in protecting your writes as an insured should they continue on this path of onerous activity.
What all parties should agree with: Your medicine costs as much as your premium. Therefore, while details are being worked out, this company should pay for your next month’s medicine in exchange for you paying that month’s premium. This is so that your health needs will be met. Failure to do this might prevent you from seeking the medical benefits you are entitled to, therefore leaving the door open to law suit. The bottom line is that you want to take your meds and stay healthy.
Don’t be a victim. Good luck.