Question:
Do you know when your insurance paid your surgeon?

I have BC/BS federal and i am wondering if anyone knows how long it took their insurance company to pay the surgeon. It has been 2 1/2 months since my surgery and they have not yet paid. I got a bill in the mail asking me to call them. They are closed for training today and I will call tomorrow. Just curious if anyone had difficulty getting them to pay at all.    — Carol S. (posted on April 3, 2003)

April 3, 2003
Carol, I'm not sure of the exact time, but it took A LONG time. We kept getting bills in the mail from the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc. asking us to pay them, when our insurance covered everything (AETNA PPO) it just took them a long time to get their butts moving. Maybe 6 months- it was a big hassle, so try calling your insurance to get the ball rollin. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

April 3, 2003
I have Aetna and my surgery has been paid since about 1 mo post op.
   — SarahC

April 3, 2003
The first issue is if the claim was received by your insurance company, which is what you will find out tomorrow. Even if they file electronically I think BCBS still has a trash can button that they send some claims into. I check my claim status on-line almost daily to make sure everything is getting paid. I noticed after about 3 weeks that many of the claims were in but not the surgeons. I asked at the office and they said they file like 2-3 times weekly. The lady resubmitted electronically right away and I could see the claim on-line within a few days. They paid it 31 days after it was received. They could have paid it in 30 days and saved interest, but no. <p>The only claim not submitted and paid is my anesthesiologist's bill. I got a bill last month and called and asked when they submitted and they said March 3rd. I asked them to resubmit on about the 20th. Nothing shows up yet. I have no idea how they are submitting but I'm about ready to have them send the claim form to me and I'll fax it to my connection at BCBS so that I know it is received. I believe most BCBS policy's have a 30-day payment clause or they have to pay interest. I'm sure you will find out tomorrow.
   — zoedogcbr