Question:
How can my secondary policy become primary?

   — CINDY D. (posted on July 18, 2003)

July 18, 2003
Hi... I used to file insurance for people when I worked for a marriage and family therpist... all we did was file FIRST with the one we wanted to be the primary. Once we heard from them, we filed with the second insurance. It is totally up to you, actually. The one you file with first, is your Primary! :~)Email me for more particiulars so I can help you better, okay! :~)
   — Sharon m. B.

July 18, 2003
It wasn't a choice for me. The insurance I had from my employer was automatically my primary. The insurance I've had longer (with my husband) is secondary. But, good news is the secondary automatically covers what the primary doesn't (unless it isn't a covered procedure). So, it works out in the end, no matter who my primary technically is! :) I have GHI as my primary now and my surgeon did not take GHI. But, I got a referral from Oxford for him (which he does take). I had to make sure I got hospital approval through my PRIMARAY (Blue Cross/Blue Shield). glad I got that straightened out beforehand! :) So, my primary takes care of bills and anything left over is taken care of by my secondary. I would definately call the insurance companies and make sure before you go to the hospital. You don't want them fighting over claims, etc. All the best,
   — Teresa N.

July 18, 2003
Cindy - First of all I'm sorry I haven't emailed you back yet! I'll email you tonight. If your secondary insurance covers it, your doctors office would have to start the approval for this service. If they approve it, the office would have to file to your BCBS and then file to your secondary with the primary's denial. If you do not want to file your primary, if you want you can drop it thru your employer and go on the secondary...assuming this is a spouses plan. I don't believe that it is as easy as filing to who you want first. Especially in this situation of this type of procedure. If your secondary has your primary's information, that you have another insurance, and you only file to your secondary, they will deny it for other insurance information. Hope this helps! I will email you tonight! Take care! Keep the faith!
   — Ashley S.

July 18, 2003
Your own employment insurance will always be first, your spouse's or anything you pay personally (not employer insurance) will be after that. If your primary denies, then your secondary will wind up paying as primary - unless they deny it too.
   — bethybb

July 18, 2003
The only way to get have your secondary to become primary is usually thru a "life event" such as you losing your job, new baby, divorce, etc - therefore losing your primary insurance. If you try to go around it any other way like as suggested earlier by filing with the secondary first that is insurance fraud - a federal offense. All the insurance companies are "connected" and it will be found out.
   — Robin J.

July 20, 2003
If you cancel your insurance, the other insurance becomes primary.
   — Patty H.