This is hilarious! Fun with insurance...

[debster913]

Hi, all--

As you all know, I just had an angioplasty to open up scar tissue that was interfering with blood flow in my right femoral artery. This was due to nothing more than post-op "complications."

Anyway, Blue Cross sends me this letter, and here it is in part:

"Dear Debra,

We want to help you better manage your health. For this reason, Blue Cross of California is offering a Health Improvement Program for our members who have been diagnosed" (I haven't been diagnosed with any of these!!!) "with Asthma, Coronary Artery Disease, COPD, Congestive Heart Failure, and Diabetes. This confidential program is designed to help you manage your medical condition(s). It focuses on prevention, education, lifestyle changes and adherence to your physician's plan of care.

You have been identified as a possible participant. BC of California will not have access to any health information that you disclose to us." (Huh?? --Don't they already know about my health information? I have to call and speak to a customer service rep to notify them of any procedures I have or any time I visit my cardio).

"...Remember that this voluntary program is not intended to replace the care provided by your physician so please check with them" (love the pronoun-antecedent disagreement there! ) "before making any changes in your treatment plan."

I laughed when I read this. Obviously this letter was computer-generated, and because the insurance knows that I had an angioplasty, they assume it's because of coronary artery disease! I do realize that the majority of angioplasties are for that condition, but really! I kind of wonder how this will affect my medical coverage now...

Just thought I'd share...Besides, any of you have any interesting insurance stories?
Debi (debster913)

 

[Superbob]

My insurance company has a preventive care program in which a nurse calls every month or so to talk with me about my cardiac and diabetic issues -- how my numbers are, meds, diet, exercise, stress levels, etc. Participation is voluntary. I also can call them 24/7 if any problems arise. I find it one of the best things the insurance company does. If that's the same thing the form letter is indicating is on the way, I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand as silliness.

 

[Nancy]

At least they didn't group it together with rhinoplasty (angioplasty), and consider it cosmetic

 

[debster913]

I think it's great that the insurance does have programs like these, and that's not the problem. It's just that I haven't been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed, and the insurance is trying to get me to sign up. I feel it's not very smart of my insurance to try to enroll me in a program for a condition I don't have. (Like your thinking, Nancy!)

 

[Guest]

*nods*

One of my former insurance companies through a former employer had a very similar program. Except, it didn't identify specific conditions ... it was just a "general" program whereby people could call 24/7, etc. I thought it was a good program ... until I found out that not everyone received said letter. Apparently, the company only targeted those with issues (i.e. high insurance bills/costs). It seems as though those of us with health issues need more ways to care for ourselves.

*pauses*

While that MAY be true ... I found it highly prejudicial and insulting. In my experiences, it has been those WITHOUT health issues that need more help ... simply because they don't go to a doctor, let alone a PCP, often enough.... Meanwhile, those of us with issues DO see a doctor REGULARLY and get (well, in most cases) plenty of assistance.

*shrugs*

For me ... it goes either way ... to take advantage of it or not.



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"What do you mean how could I do this to you?" ... Juice Newton ... 'Old Flame'

 

[marky]

I have B/C too.. and had this same letter, followed up by the nurse..literally Begging me to be part of the program..

It basically means the nurse is going to call and help me manage my care 1x a month..
I graciously declined..

 

[sue943]

I subscribe to the largest private health insurance scheme in the UK, BUPA. They are truly fantastic, so pleasant and helpful.

I don't have any funny stories per se, but I did have a situation which was 'stressful'.

I pay my health insurance annually by a standing order to my credit card. Two years ago when I was booked for my OHS I realised that my renewal was due the day before my admission to hospital. Yikes, what happens if there is a blip and I am not insured? The insurance company couldn't give me my authorisation number until my subscription had been paid, and they couldn't change my payment details and let me pay by another method as it was so close.

On the day that I was due to fly to England I was on the phone to them at 8am when they opened to check that I was insured and to get authorisation for the procedure. That was scary.

 

[catwoman]

Debi:

Several years ago, I tripped on something while walking through my living room in the dark (befitting it being Halloween night ). I fell, my eyeglasses flew off & I cut the bridge of my nose on the glasses.

The next day I went to my PCP. The slice was pretty good size, but it was more than X hours after the accident, so they couldn't suture the place, only put on a butterfly.

Several weeks later I got a letter from United Health Care wanting to know if some other insurance carrier should be responsible for the charges. (Like, was it the result of a car accident.)

Have had one other like this, when I tried to slice my fingertip off.