Question:
I'm so sick of my Insurance Carrier!!!!

My surgeon sent my letter to BC/BS on 12/1. They kept telling me they hadn't received it. The surgeon and the carrier are in the SAME town, for pete's sake!!! I knew they were lying! I called my surgeon's secretary and she faxed it to them SEVEN times in a row, each time putting "SECOND REQUEST", "THIRD REQUEST", "FOURTH REQUEST". They never admitted to getting it until 12/14. I have called daily to get a status report. All I am told is that medical review takes 14-30 days. No one would tell me why, I couldn't speak to anyone in medical review since "they only communicate in writing", and I couldn't even speak to a supervisor at 4:15 in the afternoon because "at this late hour, the supervisors are gone." CAN I VENT AT HOW FURIOUS I AM!!!!! The procedure is covered under my contract if medically necessary (well, duh!), but these pencil and paper pushing robots who are enjoying a little power trip are playing with my health and my life! We are a self-insured group...I am considering begging HR for intervention in the approval process. Two weeks ago, if I had gotten approval, it would be April 2000 before a surgery date. I am so down about the whole thing.......    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on December 27, 1999)

December 27, 1999
I got the same kind of responses from BCBS. All they would tell me is if the procedure was payable or not.Thank goodness BTC called them every 2 weeks for me. They handled it all. I tried to check on things to speed it up. No Go. It took 4 weeeks for approval. BTC told me they are famous for this. When I called they said we have a number for Doctors and Doctors only. Excuse me, they can have information about my file, my insurance, but I Can't? You have a right to be furious.
   — C S.

December 27, 1999
Boy Denise, you could be writing my history with BC/BS of Mi. My paperwork was sent six times. Now I am told by the hospital that I was denied, the funny thing is, every time I call to get a verification of denial so I can start the appeal process, they have no record of denial or approval so I really don`t know if I was denied. They were supposed to follow up and contact me but so far has failed to do so. You`re being very generous when you call them pencil pushing robots. I can understand how people can get so furious when we are pushed aside like our lives don`t matter. This has been going on since July for me. I truly hope you have better luck with them than I am having.
   — Kay R.

December 28, 1999
Denise- you may already be on the following lists so excuse me for any redundancy....but, sounds like you need to join [email protected] and [email protected] Both of these lists are dedicated sights that deal with insurance approval/denial. you will learn a lot about how to handle your insurance queries successfully. LindaT is the moderator of these groups, and although she may come of as harsh or pushy she does know what she speaks of. if youwould like any nore info you may contact em anytime. Michelle Benett/Pensacola Fl.
   — MICHELLE B.