topic Re: Need advice about insurance in Community Chat

Need advice about insurance

Kalli — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 06:02:38 GMT

I’m retired. Last Feb was my last month of employer Cobra. Starting in March I went on a Blue Cross silver ppo policy. It was very expensive but I erred on the side of caution.

I received a letter during open enrollment that indicated if I kept the silver ppo my monthly premium would decrease by a little over $200. I doubted that but it was verified for me during 3 separate phone calls to BC during Open Enrollment. I also received an email indicating my new, low rate would go into effect in January.

just got my new bill for January. You probably guessed that it’s the old, higher rate. Open enrollment is over. Do I have any recourse?

This issue is important to me. Please refrain from arguing so I can get needed info before I call BC to inquire.

Re: Need advice about insurance

Carmie — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:13:42 GMT

Re: Need advice about insurance

FranandZoe — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 10:26:20 GMT

I agree with Carmie - contact your State Insurance Commission.

Re: Need advice about insurance

ID2 — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 11:07:12 GMT

JMO I have BCBS now and when I sign up for Medicare (I turn 65 in Feb) I am specifically looking for any other insurance. I despise BCBS. Their billing is insane! The OP's problem is typical for BCBS. Good luck.

Re: Need advice about insurance

software — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 13:49:06 GMT

You have something in writing.

This should be a no-brainer.

From what I understand, if you are on a plan, and you say you signed up for the Silver PPO in March, you don't have to do anything during open enrollment to keep the same plan. So they shouldn't tell you anything otherwise.

I don't use Blue Cross, but I am on Medicare.

I'm sure it's a simple fix on their part, with just a phone call

Re: Need advice about insurance

Kalli — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 14:49:22 GMT

Thanks everyone. Offices are closed until after the holiday. I’ll be calling as soon as they’re open.

I just have a feeling they’re going to get away with this. I looked at all the info they emailed me and there’s a phrase that indicates application was pending approval. But it also states that change in premium cost could happen IF I instituted changes such as if I added someone to my policy, which I didn’t.

Even though I called 3 separate times and as mentioned above, they do record all calls, I’m afraid they can do this and I won’t be able to change it. It’s going to cost an extra $223 each month.

If they’d’ve just been honest with me from the beginning I wouldn’t be so mad. I just feel they purposely manipulated me and lied, dangling that carrot of cheaper premiums in front of me so I wouldn’t go to a less expensive policy or shop around elsewhere. 😡

Re: Need advice about insurance

Carmie — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:15:27 GMT

Re: Need advice about insurance

CelticCrafter — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 16:11:55 GMT

@Carmie

Right now we have Empire BCBS as part of my husbands pension package.

The entire health insurance package goes away when he becomes eligible for Medicare in March. I wish we could keep them as our supplement but because they are the NY plan and we live in NJ we won't be able to.

Re: Need advice about insurance

Misplaced Parisian — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 17:31:58 GMT

@Kalli Your best bet is to call BCBS. This could be a simple computer glitch...it's the end of the year (this is a huge time for insurance carriers with their computer systems because a ton of regulatory filings are due at the end of 1Q 2019) combined with this being the first month of your policy's billing. Depending on what BCBS tells you when you call them, you can always file a complaint with the insurance commissioner in your state. If your call to BCBS verifies you have to pay the higher amount, when you file your complaint state what you have in this posting to the forum, that you chatted numerous times and was told what you'd pay. The phone calls should be recorded and can be pulled off servers, which the insurance commissioner could demand in a reply to your complaint if you need to file one. Sending the best thoughts your way. I hope this helps.

Re: Need advice about insurance

straykatz — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 18:12:10 GMT

Most call centers do record ALL calls but it's also important to make a note of the time you call and the name of the person you speak with. It helps when oyu are calling back with a question/complaint/compliment regarding previous calls/conversations.

Did you buy directly form BCBS or did you go through an agent/agency? From my experience.."most" agents only give half-truths...basically they say anything to sell the policy.

Re: Need advice about insurance

Kalli — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 20:02:44 GMT

I forgot about having a history of calls in my cell phone! I went back and was able to retrieve that history from a few weeks ago. I jotted down the dates, times and duration of each call made to BC.

I probably wouldn’t have thought of that! I appreciate all the info posted here.

Re: Need advice about insurance

Sage04 — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 20:33:40 GMT

Also please check the date of the notice. Some Companies take a week or two before mailing the letter so it could have been written before you spoke with them.

Re: Need advice about insurance

RollTide2008 — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 21:16:35 GMT

Depending on when you made your open enrollment selection, it’s possible the billing system hasn’t updated yet. I administer my company’s group plan. Depending on when I add new hires, delete terminated associates, or enter qualified changes, the billing can take 2 full cycles to update. Either I see a credit on the invoice or they balance bill for any short pays.

Re: Need advice about insurance

pigletsmom — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 22:44:27 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@Carmie

Right now we have Empire BCBS as part of my husbands pension package.

The entire health insurance package goes away when he becomes eligible for Medicare in March. I wish we could keep them as our supplement but because they are the NY plan and we live in NJ we won't be able to.

@CelticCrafter is the Medicare getting covered through the pension? They might offer the Empire BCBS to you as the secondary. Not sure where the pension is through. My dad's used to be medicare as primary and then a secondary but a number of years back they were changed to Advantage plans.

Re: Need advice about insurance

BirkiLady — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 00:21:46 GMT

I've been on Medicare/BC-BS for years. Very, very pleased with the prompt payments. I had to go on Disability at 51 and it has served me well with a number of cronic illnesses, which include autoimmune diseases. I've only paid $312 for one of my shingles shots (simply because the RN coded it incorrectly). My PCP had expected to absorb the cost himself (as he had with the first shot). I had signed a form agreeing to pay for the shot and paid the bill before realizing I may not have had to do so. Eh, not a big deal. I'm not complaining in 19 years! I have lab work for my diabetes (every 90 days) and Lupus every 30 days). All paid by Medicare and BC-BS! No co-pays either.

My mom was on their plan from age 65 until her death at 94. She never paid a cent in medical bills in all of those years, yet she had a couple of open heart surgeries, numerous other surgeries, a lot of hospitalizations as a dementia patient . . . well, you get the picture. IMO you get what you pay for with Health Insurance. For a supplement, I'll keep the BC-BS in Nebraska at any cost! It's been a proven track record in our family.

Re: Need advice about insurance

hyacinth003 — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 03:07:09 GMT

Such good advice here. ALWAYS jot down notes of what you were told, date, time, and person's name.

Sometimes notices come before your change comes. So don't panic just yet.

May be a mistake - don't get upset yet. Not until you HAVE to (if you do!).

Hyacinth

Re: Need advice about insurance

Kalli — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:18:45 GMT

Thanks to everyone who posted with advice and info! I called today and was told the letter I received had already been voided and a new one sent on the 17th (seems like a long time ago but hopefully I’ll get it before they take the first auto payment from my account). The rep I spoke to assured me my lower rate will apply.

I truly appreciate all your responses. I worked at the same job for my entire career and I had great coverage. Sadly, now I’m realizing how much I never really understood about health insurance and terminology. Hate to admit that but it’s the truth.

Re: Need advice about insurance

shoekitty — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:12:47 GMT

I am pretty sure you can legally extend open enrollment if there was a snafu, if you have just retired and paperwork is taking longer, you also have time to change inder certain circumstances, AND if you were misquoted a price. Although theire should be written proff, conversations are recorded and hopefully the follow protocol to take vigerous notes of conversations.

PP0 are expensive. I am 71, a non smoker, no pacemaker, and do not need the surgeries they ask when you enroll lol. I chose united healthcare, AARP PPO. I think it is the G. It is next to the highest cost for this program. I start out paying 162@month. Does not include RX. I understand it rises with age. Darn it. I had Alignment advantage plan and paid 12@month, and would have paid nothing this year. They paid 100%, no deductible. But as an HMO, where I live the Dr's were limited and referrals were a pain. Plus a few of the drs dropped my insurance, or didnt take it. If one has little medical attention, and in good health it was a good choice. For me with RA and some skin precancer issues I wanted a choice.

Re: Need advice about insurance

lulu1 — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:37:51 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
JMO I have BCBS now and when I sign up for Medicare (I turn 65 in Feb) I am specifically looking for any other insurance. I despise BCBS. Their billing is insane! The OP's problem is typical for BCBS. Good luck.

I could not disagree more. I've been insured by Blue Cross my entire life and I cannot remember ever having a problem with them.