I really don’t like dealing with my HMO. If I asked for a show of hands for all those who find interfacing with their health insurance company a pleasant experience, I would probably get the same response I would if I asked the same group if they enjoy sticking a needle in their left eye.
When my family must interact with our HMO/PPO, this task falls to me, since I have a little more patience, being in the business. My wife did try to call one time. I begged her not to, but she insisted, saying we should share this burden. I reluctantly agreed, gave her the number, and walked upstairs to change. I came back down 10 minutes later, and she was sobbing into the phone, yelling "I don’t want to speak to a supervisor, I just want an answer to my question!" That was the last time she volunteered for that duty.
I really don’t have much trouble with customer service at our PPO. When I was in college, I sold books over the telephone. You know, the kind that once they start, they never stop coming? We had little flip charts: If they say no, go to chart 2, if they say no again, go to paragraph four on chart 3. If they say yes, get their info, etc. I lasted one half of one shift, and never went back, but it gave me enough experience to imagine how my PPO probably works.
I call the toll-free number, and keep hitting zeros until I am queued up. I listen to the Muzak version of Christopher Cross’ “Sailing,” and I am connected to my rep, Ted. This is one of the largest health organization’s in the country, and I get...Ted. I always get Ted.
CSR: Thanks for calling. How can I help you?
Me: This is Rick Vassar, My member number is—
CSR: Dude, it’s me, Ted. What’s happening?
I began to think that Ted was the only one who works there, and my suspicions were validated the day I unknowingly and accidentally hit the prompt to speak to someone in Spanish. I was put on hold, listened to some song by Carlos Santana, and just before the guitar solo, I hear:
CSR: Hola, como le puedo ayudar?
Me: Uh, this is Rick Vassar, my member number—
CSR: Vato, soy Ted.
Me: Ted, I don’t speak Spanish, can you help me?
Article comments
1 - Mark Schannon
Great article. Funny & very much to the point.
Given the problems me & the bride have had with health insurers, doctors, hospitals, and wild turkeys, it's hard to imagine a worse system. Even not being able to get seen by a doctor (as in those commie countries such as Canada & England) is preferable to being seen by one who hasn't the time or interest to differentiate cancer from a canceler sore.
In Jameson Veritas
2 - Arch Conservative
Today Van Jones. Tomorrow Barack Obama.
3 - Joanne Huspek
Frying pan, fire, frying pan, fire...
Tough choice.
I have health insurance, am not happy with the outrageous deductible, but the only reason we have it is for the worst case scenario. But you're right, it's no fun dealing with the companies.
Of course, it's no fun dealing with the PO or the DMV either.
Like I said, frying pan, fire...
4 - Spelling Nazi
Of course, it's no fun dealing with the PO or the DMV either.
Or Medicare.
5 - Mongo
According to a CNN poll last fall, 59% of Americans think the government could do a better job than their insurance company. Considering most Americans would say private companies could do a better job than government at most things, that's saying a lot.