Question:
How long does insurance company have to reply?

I have BCBS of AL. My paperwork was sent by certified mail Feb. 9. I called BCBS to ask about the general turnaround time, and the guy I spoke with told me that by law, they have to reply to the request within 30 days??? My doc's office told me that it sometimes takes up to 30 days just for the request to get into the system.....I'm confused!    — Donna S. C. (posted on February 10, 2001)

February 10, 2001
Dear Donna: I,too, have BCBS of Ala. My Dr.'s office originally told me 6=8 wks for "insurance approval". My consultation was on Dec. 13th. The following week I checked with the Dr.s office and was assured the paper work had gone in the day after my appt. On Jan. 22nd I called the Insurance Co. and they had never received it. So I called the Dr again and they re-sent it. I was told by both the Insurance Co. and the Dr.s office that it would take 30 days. We will see. My only suggestion is to stay on top of both of them and document who and when you talk to people. Good luck and let me know if you hear something sooner. Pat
   — PAT D.

February 10, 2001
If anyone knows of a "LEGAL" time limit an Insurance company has to respond please let me know as well....United Health Care has been rather slow. They keep trying to fit me into a "pre-existing condition clause" or trying to find out if i have seen another doctor in the 3 months prior to my coverage with UHC....problem is, I havent and they cannot find what isnt there...My paper-work was submitted to United Health Care on Nov. 21, 2000. I am STILL waiting for an answer for approval.
   — Tracy L.

February 13, 2001
Donna, my suggestion is to let them know (politly)that you will be contacting your state insurance commissioner (if your state has one)here in Indiana that tends to get them moving in the right direction. Even if they aren't doing anything wrong with your case insurance companies don't like investigators nosing around it can get expensive paying those fines. I also got copies of eveything and faxed them to the insurance company myself and held onto the conformations so I wold have something if push came to shove. Good Luck
   — MARK N.

February 13, 2001
I have BC/BS of AL. My surgeon's secretary told me 6-8 weeks for an answer, but I had approval within 30 days, no problem. My policy is with a self-insured group, however. Perhaps that made a difference? Good luck! 9 months post-op, down 135 lbs! WOW!
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 16, 2001
My doctor's office told me to check with my insurance company after 2 weeks of sending the request. Of course, they had not recieved it just like they all don't but, instead of just resending it, I got the person's name, called the doctor's office and had them fax the info over. I then also faxed a copy of it to that person and told her to wait by the fax machine and that it was coming in right at that minute. I callled back 1 hour later and made sure she recieved it. She couldn't deny that she had because she had gotten 2 copies of it and I was approved within 5 days after that. Hope this helps alittle.
   — Barbara H.