CSR: Lo siento, vato. Tienes que llamar otra vez y que te pasen con los que hablan Ingles, loco.
I hang up and call right back, hit zeros, and get the “Sailing” hook again.
CSR: Thanks for calling. How can I help you?
Me: Yes, this is Rick Vassar, my—
CSR: Dude, it’s me, Ted.
Me: Hi, Ted. Listen, I have this claim—
CSR: Sorry, dude. Not covered.
Me: Why is that?
CSR: Uh, no referral—
Me: Well, if you look at the evidence of insurance, on page seven, paragraph four, it states that coverage should be afforded without a referral.
Silence.
Me: Ted, what’s the problem?
CSR: I told them this was going to happen.
Me: What’s that?
CSR: They told me nobody ever reads the contract...
In the past few years, class actions have been filed against carriers alleging unequal and improper claims handling, offering incentives to doctors not to make referrals, direction of care being dictated by managed care professionals and skyrocketing premiums. In 2003, some of these insurers settled their cases with doctors, agreeing to allow doctors to be doctors, increasing sensitivity to the patients’ needs and speeding up claims payments. Meanwhile, each doctor received enough cash after attorney’s fees to buy a venti latte at Starbucks. Many of these insurers have used this settlement as a marketing tool, reaping free good press well in excess of the amount settled in this "landmark" case. In fact, one of these companies’ stock price has increased over 250% since the announcement of this settlement.
But nothing has really changed. HMOs are still denying claims on a less than equitable basis, and they are denying portions of claims that are not usual and customary (to that particular company), and the patient is the one left holding the financial bag.
As a risk manager, I have a little better handle on what a company can and cannot do, so I can show them how they steered off the path. But millions of people do not know what their rights are, pay what they are told to pay and make health care decisions based on economics.
I have been very fortunate to get most of my claims paid, and I would have to hope that things are getting better. In the meantime, I have one assurance that I can guarantee with the utmost certainty:
I have Ted.
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.