Question:
Is calling the insurance company daily too much?

I feel like I am become a pest, I know that my surgeon's office was supposed to fax the pre-approval Friday. I called several times to the insurance company that day. The last time, I got a rep that was kinda of rude, saying I've already called today, not to call until next week. I know I'm pestering them, but I'm anxious to know if they've received it, and whether they are going to approve it or not. It really annoyed me about how he acted because that was the first time I've talked to him and I get a different person everytime I call, so why would it annoy him that I've called. My question is though, should I just quit calling? Thanks-    — Dina M. (posted on March 25, 2002)

March 25, 2002
Trust me, I'm an advocate of people calling the insurance company, however, if the doctor's office faxed the information on Friday, it's highly doubtful they've even started to work on it. Wait until Friday and then call and ask if they've received the information. If they have, you can then ask them how long it typically takes for an approval. Then call back a few days before that time and follow up. If they haven't received the information, contact the doctor's office and ask if they mailed or faxed the information and get the address and/or fax number of where they sent it and what day they did it on. Doctor's offices may tell you there going to send something on a particular day but most of the time that doesn't happen. Also, the reason they know you've called is because you give them your social security number each time you call in and they log in EVERY phone call on a computer with the reason for your call. That's probably why he got rude (even though that's no excuse for his behavior).
   — Patty H.

March 25, 2002
Hey I havent been approved but the first time I called the insurance company, I got someone who had no idea what I was talking about. The second time I called I got a very helpfully lady. (thanks Bobbie). I asked her if I had any questions if I could request to talke to her and she said sure. So when I have a question I ask to talk to her, I may have to wait, but it is worth it. GOOD LUCK
   — paulsgirl

March 25, 2002
My surgeons office said that they faxed the request to my insurance company on 3/14, I called once every other morning to see if it had arrived, never did, and I was told a different thing by every rep as to how long it should take to show up on my file. On 3/22 I called again, still no record of the fax and the rep told me to have the surgeons office fax request again to her attention. Surgeons office told me they would fax again right after we got off the phone, and that it was the same fax # she had sent to originally. I called BCBS again this morning, still no fax received. The rep I was speaking with personally went over to the desk of the rep it was supposed to be faxed to, she never got it. I called my surgeons office again this morning to request it be faxed AGAIN!! Still waiting to hear back from them to see if it was sent or not. UUUGGGHHHHHH!!!!! I know exactly what you are going through. I decided I would only call every other day, that way I am not being too annoying but I can still keep up with what is (or isn't) going on.
   — Maureen C.

March 25, 2002
In my opinion, your insurance rep. was being very inappropriate when he told you to stop calling. It is your RIGHT to call as often as you d@mn well please! In fact, it is your responsibility to be annoying with these people to a point, because insurance companies only make money by losing paperwork and making you jump hoops. If you are constantly calling, they will probably move things through more quickly to be rid of your annoyance. In my case, I'm a very shy person and didn't even call the insurance company until 6 weeks after my surgeon had faxed my paperwork. "Hmm ... we never got any paperwork," they said. Of course I learned my lesson and, after my surgeon refaxed the request, followed up with them immediately to ensure they had received the fax and were working on it. I called again the next day and the next. Then I was approved. I wish I had been hyper-vigilant from day one, because it slowed down my surgery date by 6 weeks that I was a shy person!
   — Terissa R.

March 25, 2002
Be a pit bull !!! Call everyday. I called almost everyday for 15 months. After 3 appeals I got the surgery. When you get a rude represenitive get her name and employee and speak to her supervisor. You can also remind her that she works there to serve you. Good Luck
   — Robert L.