Blue Cross RANT

[earthmama]

Back in April, We canceled my husbands policy and moved my daughter on to her own. I had to pay for the full month even though I only owed for 2 weeks. I found this to be very wrong, giving money that I do not owe and they know that i do not owe it. But the only way to get out of the policy was to pay.

I am still waiting for my refund almost 9 weeks later. Had to call a couple times to 'remind them'. At first I just asked for a credit to my daughter account , but that was to easy. the said that a check was cut on May 10th and mailed may 15th. I called them today asking where my money is and they said it was in the mail and i should have received it by now.

What pisses me off is that they can use that excuse and get away with it. If we do it, we are tacked with late fees and account being closed.

Where are my rights to the money they owe me? I have to wait even longer because they have to cancel that check, re-issue another one then mail it.

So I am sending an invoice to BC-BS with the amount that owe me with a due date on it. Probably will get tossed in the trash but I need to do this. Where should I send it to? The CEO ... billing department... account payable?

[meegbear]

1. If you haven't sent it yet ...

try to find out what they charge for late fees and add it in.

[earthmama]

2. can I do that?

I wasn't sure I can charge late fees but I will add it if I can.

[meegbear]

4. Why not? If they can ...

[Corgigal]

3. sent it to all 3

CC copies list on the bottom. Try to use a name ..look up the CEO's name..use it.

[earthmama]

5. great idea .. thanks

[Rosemary2205]

6. contact your insurance commissioner

I am the benefits admin at a large company of over 30,000 employees and we have quite a few problems with BCBS. This is what we counsel our employees to do.

You need to document every step that you've taken so far. The name of the person you talk to, their phone number at BCBS, the date of the call and what was said. Save copies of any letters you sent.

If you cannot back up what has happened so far, start now.

1. Call your agent or HR dept and tell them what has happened so far and request assistance. Give them a minimum of 5 business days to help you. Contact them several times during this 5 days to verify what is being done on your behalf.

2. Depending on what happens with your agent - Call BCBS, tell them you did not get you premium refund and request a new check be issued within the next 7 days. (it only takes 3 days to trace a previously cut check). Be sure to write down who you talked to, what date and what was said. During this call, ask for an address where you can send letters regarding this matter. You should try to contact the same person - or at least the same dept at BCBS at the appropriate time depending on what was discussed. Wait no long than 6 business days to contact them again for an update. Remember to document all your calls.

3. After the first call to BCBS or your agent, send a letter to that person verifying what was discussed. Send it return reciept, signature required. Save the reciept and a copy of the letter. If instructed you can send email - just make sure you save your sent letters.

4. After each phone call send out another letter - or email verifying what was discussed and with whom.

5. If this drags on more than 30 days and you are not satisfied with the progress contact your state insurance commissioner. They can advise you on how to proceed given the laws in your state and can likely intervene for you.

Good luck. BCBS is notoriously a pain in the everywhere. If you have too much trouble send me an IM here at DU and I'll get back to you with my contact information and will try to help.

[earthmama]

7. Thank you.

[Flirtus]

8. i am the benefits admisistrator

at a very small company, who do you like better than BCBS? I'm going to have to shop for a better rate in six months, we've been with BCSB for so long I'm out of touch with who's out there.

[Rosemary2205]

10. IMHO stick with the biggies.

I'd stick with a biggie. I've gone with little companies before and they are more likely to have cash flow problems that create payout problems. However, with you being a small operation, you might find a local company that is actually a "biggie" in your area. The insurance commissioners office and local big practices and hospital financial managers can tell you who's good in your locale.

For the record. We have BCBS because enough of our employees want the choice factor. However, IMHO, the employees on HMO's (Kaiser, Cigna, US Healthcare) are happier with their insurance and get better care.

Oh, and IMHO avoid Aetna/Prudential if you can. They won't scam you but we have had ALOT of problems with them.

[fudge stripe cookays]

9. CRAP.

Thanks for the bad news.

I've been on United for the last 7-8 years, and recently got a new job where we have BC/BS California.

I'm having severe misgivings about giving up the United we have through my husband's job, even though we're paying lots for it. We have no premiums through my job, but what good does it do when half the docs I've checked on don't take BC/BS?

fsc

[Rosemary2205]

11. We are having the same problem

We are in 12 different states, over 35 cities and more and more medical and dental practices are dumping BCBS because of the processing problems. About 12% of our employees prefer BCBS because they have this idea that HMO equals no choice but IMHO our HMO employees get better care and have less hassles.

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. For an HMO,

I've had REALLY good luck with United-- after emergency surgery last year and an MS diagnosis last summer, I've been remarkably fortunate.

I'm terrified to get off it if I have any more problems. My endometriosis could rear up again any day. What then?

Oi. Nice to know my paranoia is not misplaced.