Question:
BCBS of TN help approval until date went into effect to deny now as my secondary

MY BCBS OF TN-PPO IS PRIMARY. THEY WITHHELD APPROVAL ON MY SURGEONS REQUEST FOR OVER 3 WEEKS WAITING FOR THE COMPANYS RENEWAL DATE OF 2/1/02-BECAUSE AFTER THAT DATE THEY DONT COVER IT ANY MORE. NOW I HAVE MEDICARE AS MY SECONDARY AND I KNOW IT DOESNT NEED APPROVAL, BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY 20% MYSELF. HAS ANYONE EVER HAD THIS SITUATION? I AM TOLD THAT MY PART MAY BE $4,000. BUT THEY CANT BE CERTAIN. OF COURSE I DONT HAVE THAT MUCH. HAS ANYONE HAD THE SURGERY WITH MEDICARE AND THEN BEEN GIVEN A PAYMENT PLAN BY THE HOSPITAL? MY SURGERY WOULD TAKE PLACE AT MEDICAL CENTER EAST IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. I AM JUST SO CONFUSED AND DIS-HEARTED NOW I CANT REALLY THINK CLEARLY. I JUST NEED ANY ADVICE ANYONE MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER. THANKS EVERYONE-GOD BLESS YOU ALL    — Marie D. (posted on February 14, 2002)

February 14, 2002
Call the hospital's billing office and ask. Most will set up a payment plan for you. Good luck.
   — garw

February 15, 2002
Hi Marie... Just a thought, but you might consider contacting your State Insurance Commissioner and let them know of what happened. If it can be proven that they willfully and knowingly withheld approval waiting on that date (and have for other people too), you might have a case. Not sure but is worth exploring.
   — AJC750