if you want something done right you have to do it yourself

I wish I could say this is good news, but alas.  I switched insurances to get around the denial from optimum choice.  My new Aetna insurance enrollment was delayed somehow by my employer, and I am not yet enrolled in the aetna plan I selected.  I had to decide to reschedule my consult with the DS surgeon Monday and wait until I get an actual member number with aetna.  If I didn't, I could be charged full cost for the appt., which I cannot afford.  I called my HR contact daily since the first of the month asking where my member card was, and finally Friday she told me the enrollemnts were late and i could check back Monday to see if mine had been entered.  She assured me it was taken care of.  But this was not timely enough for my appointment.  so, I am really annoyed and frustrated.  It was supposed to be effective April 1st, so I expect a card in hand by then.  UGH. 

Hi Jen - I'm so sorry you've had to experience this!!  To them, we're just a number, they don't realize that for us, these are important issues!! So did you check today? I know it's easy for me to say, but just hang in there. Tia

Thanks Tia!  Today I finally got a member number from my HR dept.  They had procrastinated and things did not get enrolled until late Monday/early tuesday.  I had to get annoyingly assertive with them and kept asking daily until i got the member number.  Now my surgeon consult is rescheduled for the 28th.  I am so ready I can just envision myself having syrgery and living my new lifestyle. 

Jen, Your HR person should be able to get your number for you even if cards have not yet been issued.  I handled insurance for years as a Law Firm Administrator, and I used Aetna.  You just have to have an HR person and insurance broker who care enough to advocate on your behalf.  With the HIPPA laws now, you may have to sign a letter authorizing your HR rep, and possibly even the broker, to intervene and discuss this issue on your behalf, but you should be able to get it.  You should not have had to reschedule your appointment.  I would have never let that happen to one of my staff. You know the addage: The Squeaky wheel gets the grease.  Start squeaking your head off, Girl. Terri

HI Terri,  Today I finally got a member number from my HR dept.  I had to email the broker and the aetna rep and cc my hr contact to get it to happen.  I really didn't care if I pissed them off either.  This is important.  They had procrastinated and things did not get enrolled until late Monday/early tuesday.  I had to get annoyingly assertive or squeaky, with them and kept asking daily until i got the member number.  Now my surgeon consult is rescheduled for the 28th.   Thanks so much for your support.