Community Chat

[Kalli]

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. 

[Sage04]

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.

[RollTide2008]

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.

[pigletsmom]

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@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.

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@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.

[BirkiLady]

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. 

[hyacinth003]

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

[Kalli]

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.  

[shoekitty]

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.   

[lulu1]

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@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.

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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.