Cyrano
01-06-2010, 05:27 PM
I got two phone calls this morning from the hospital where my wife is a patient.
The first one was from the business office asking for more information about our health insurance, since our insurer had not provided current account information.
Usually, this isn't a problem, I'm getting used to Cigna being behind in their paperwork, and usually a quick phone call fixes the problem. About an hour later, Jan calls me to tell me that her physical therapist came by to tell her that she would be receiving no further treatments, since "your insurance is lapsed".
Funny, the last time I checked, my premiums were paid through January. I called Cigna, only to be told that their "system is down". I then called the COBRA administrator, who informs me that the last payment I sent a week ago actually has my premiums covered THROUGH MAY 2010.
First, why in the world would an insurance company send erroneous account information to a health care provider ON A REGULAR BASIS? This has happened at least once a month since August of last year. Frustrating, yes. Irritating, yes. My guess is that it pays in the long run to deny coverage systematically, assuming that a percentage of patients will pay the claim themselves rather than fight the bureaucracy. I guess they haven't figured out that this approach simply won't work with me.
Secondly, why in the world would a health care professional not only NOT provide required medical procedures, but basically tell a seriously ill patient that they're a deadbeat? Especially when that simply isn't true!
I have talked to the hospital administrator and their business office, and made
my displeasure known in a non-obscene, non-threatening, but unmistakable way. I insisted that the administrator go to my wife's room RIGHT NOW and apologize to Jan. I'm not at the hospital yet, because I want to let my temper cool off a bit before I go there.
So, what the heck should I do about this? Given that I can't be at Jan's bedside 24/7, I don't want to make her a target for any "retaliation" for rocking the boat, but on the other hand, I will NOT accept anything less than
respectful conduct towards my wife.
The first one was from the business office asking for more information about our health insurance, since our insurer had not provided current account information.
Usually, this isn't a problem, I'm getting used to Cigna being behind in their paperwork, and usually a quick phone call fixes the problem. About an hour later, Jan calls me to tell me that her physical therapist came by to tell her that she would be receiving no further treatments, since "your insurance is lapsed".
Funny, the last time I checked, my premiums were paid through January. I called Cigna, only to be told that their "system is down". I then called the COBRA administrator, who informs me that the last payment I sent a week ago actually has my premiums covered THROUGH MAY 2010.
First, why in the world would an insurance company send erroneous account information to a health care provider ON A REGULAR BASIS? This has happened at least once a month since August of last year. Frustrating, yes. Irritating, yes. My guess is that it pays in the long run to deny coverage systematically, assuming that a percentage of patients will pay the claim themselves rather than fight the bureaucracy. I guess they haven't figured out that this approach simply won't work with me.
Secondly, why in the world would a health care professional not only NOT provide required medical procedures, but basically tell a seriously ill patient that they're a deadbeat? Especially when that simply isn't true!
I have talked to the hospital administrator and their business office, and made
my displeasure known in a non-obscene, non-threatening, but unmistakable way. I insisted that the administrator go to my wife's room RIGHT NOW and apologize to Jan. I'm not at the hospital yet, because I want to let my temper cool off a bit before I go there.
So, what the heck should I do about this? Given that I can't be at Jan's bedside 24/7, I don't want to make her a target for any "retaliation" for rocking the boat, but on the other hand, I will NOT accept anything less than
respectful conduct towards my wife.