Ugh! Medical Insurance. A vent.

[fraidycat]

Why is it that "the mightiest nation" is also the ABSOLUTE freaking WORST place in the world to deal with medical care.

 

Profit. That's why. Insurance is for the insurance company to make money.

 

Stress. One of the top killers. Who causes the most stress? Freaking medical insurance companies.

 

Uuuuuaaaaaaaaggghhh!

 

Sorry if my screaming hurt your eyes.

[TranquilMind]

Vent on.  It's ok.

It is an insurance company dream come true. 

[JFSinIL]

Yeah, BCBS finally paid our outstanding medical bills (most of them) - about $400,000 worth between hubby and I after the car crash last May.  Yesterday hubby let me know that BCBS has now placed a lien on our (someday) settlement from our car insurance to get the money back.  Sigh.  Totally illegal  for them to do so, the way our policies are written, but will take who knows how long to straighten it all out. 

 

Oh, I got a call today from a bill collector, as some of the remaining small bills ahve gone to collections.  Had to explain how eventually BCBS will pay them, that they started with larger bills first...at which the bill collector said "But this is over $7,000!!"  When I noted how some bills were well over $200,000 (my intensive care then regular room two weeks at the first hospital) I heard the person choke a bit.  ;-)

 

[zimom]

I could write pages on our health insurance stories. My current favorite is that last year I received pre-authorization for in-network coverage bill for DD2 in March, ~$30,000. After several denials and refiles, they paid it in May 2014. December 2014 they took the money back, all of it and have, among other things, decided it is out of network. Same provider they have paid for years, in-network.

[Arcadia]

Hubby had to speak to our insurance medical billing personnel today over the phone. He is wondering whether they are intentionally illogical or ???

We had to argue with medical billing once for a year. For what it's worth, when my mom visited, her cash payment without insurance was "as cheap" as with insurance to see a rheumatoid arthritis specialist.

[fraidycat]

Yep. Pretty sure I'll end up paying cash for DS's follow up for his broken arm because the insurance reps are automaton robots who do not speak the same English the rest of us speak. Hold, transfer, that's not my department, repeat. Just give us the damn referral already. He needs to be casted!!

[creekland]

:grouphug:   :cursing:  :mad:  :banghead:

 

Someday I wish all members holding public office would have to have basic health care and insurance for themselves and all family members - and no pulling strings to get their case elevated or expedited.  If this could ever happen, I suspect reform would come quickly.

[Happy]

:grouphug:   :cursing:  :mad:  :banghead:

 

Someday I wish all members holding public office would have to have basic health care and insurance for themselves and all family members - and no pulling strings to get their case elevated or expedited.  If this could ever happen, I suspect reform would come quickly.

Add to that...if we could divorce health care from employment. If people had to pay health care on their own (like the rest of us self employed do) there would be mighty cries for reform. True reform.

 

Of course, I say the same thing about paying income taxes. If people had to write checks (like I do) instead of get a 'refund' there would be more tax changes coming our way.

[kiana]

:grouphug:   :cursing:  :mad:  :banghead:

 

Someday I wish all members holding public office would have to have basic health care and insurance for themselves and all family members - and no pulling strings to get their case elevated or expedited.  If this could ever happen, I suspect reform would come quickly.

 

Yes. And send their kids to the local public school and have them eat school lunch.

[Guest]

Add to that...if we could divorce health care from employment. If people had to pay health care on their own (like the rest of us self employed do) there would be mighty cries for reform. True reform.

 

Of course, I say the same thing about paying income taxes. If people had to write checks (like I do) instead of get a 'refund' there would be more tax changes coming our way.

Preach it, sister! I'll add to that--April 15 is not your Bonus Day!! Sure, you got a sweet refund but do you have any idea what you paid?!? Very few people do. I know because I write a fat check several times a year!!