I think there are some things in the world that are just jacked up and there is no way to properly deal with them. Short of shooting them.
At the top of the list is insurance and medical billing. I understand that they think they have to do things the way they do them, but I don't want to hear about it. What I want to do is rant about what is going on in my world.
I go to the doc occasionally, because of my thyroid issues. I have to have whole blood panels done before each one. I supposedly have good insurance, working for the state and paying for the best they offer. Still sometimes, I have to pay the full $4-500 they charge me to take two vials of blood. That pisses me off.
I only tell you this to demonstrate that I am not in and out of doc's offices like a revolving door, and Barry never gets sick, so other than his ear surgery last year, he has no medical bills. I take 19 forms of thyroid meds, and it is appalling how expensive it is even with good insurance. Now the insurance decides WHICH ones I am allowed to take and I am not allowed to buy them at the store-they have to be mailed to me. That does not do me any good if I get sick and the doc writes a script for me--I have to wait for it to come in the mail or pay out the ass for it, as they will not cover it, and if it is not submitted to insurance, I have to pay MORE than they would for the privilege--no insurance discount.
My problem this year has been with the fact that insurance pays when they get good and ready and what they want, and meanwhile, you are being hounded by the hospital collection agency who told you that the surgery would be about $1,000 and now wants you to pay your portion of $4,000 by the end of the month. Explain that to me. I pay and pay and pay every month, as I know they cannot hound you if you are paying. And besides, I owe it.
A few months ago, I started getting my checks back in the mail. Why you ask? Because I was paid up on everything. Now why would they keep sending me bills, only to return my checks to me as I did not owe anything? When I was in Canada, I came home to TWO returned checks. And a bill. For less than the amount on one of the checks they returned. WTF?
I got another one this week, called the number on it today in an attempt to get it all straightened out. They have no idea who I am, as they have no bills for me. They also deny writing me this check. However, I owe a sister division of theirs $24 from 2003. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Now really, would I risk my credit over $24? I am not a fool, so I think not. I have to call 14 more numbers and get that straightened out. I paid that.
Here is the problem. No one in this stupid organization knows anything about why I am getting my checks back or why I am being billed.
I guess they think I am paying imaginary bills.
Which I am not interested in doing.
If this was not jacking with my credit, I would not care. This really pissed me off.
You have no idea how much this pisses me off.
Now I need blood pressure medicine because I am so pissed, but I am sure not going to the doc to get it. They probably would not give it to me anway.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday Afternoon Rant
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I hate to say it but it's nice to know that others have the same problem I did when working for mega corp. It got to the point where I would only call about health insurance payment issues on the company dime. They gave us the crappy plans to choose from so I felt they can pay me to fix the problems is causes me.
As for Rx, I have purchased private health insurance with a HUGE (10G) deductible. I get migraines. They hurt like hell. I can't control how many I get but my current insurance company "allows" me 4 pills per month. WTF is that. What I take comes in 6 pill blister packs so there is no logic to the number...I think they pulled it out of their azz. Oh, and with my wonderful insurance discount (I pronounce that previous word with great sarcasim), each pill costs over 20 smackers. Last migraine I had I gave up after swallowing 3 of those 20 dollar pills and went to the ER for more potent relief.
I could go on and on about health care billing abuses. I seriously think they deny x number of claims in hopes that some stupid person will just pay the darn bill without fighting it. It's always a "coding error" or somehow they magically find in their vast computer files they have on you that you have additional health insurance. I really think it's a scam on the insurers part. OK, I'll shut up now.
Ugh...sorry to hear about you insurance woes!
I am very fortunate in that my husband works for the county, who offers great plans at no extra cost to the employee.
I have been a nurse for the past 10years though, and have had to help people figure out how to fix various billing issues, but I have never come across what you are facing...I am not much help here am I??? LOL!
I still cannot believe that you know where Trenton is!
I can't even tell you how much I hate this countries health care system! My insurance company loved me when I was healthy...Then i got cancer and they dropped me like a hot potato! They made me fight them while I was fighting for my life. I'm still fighting them and losing! Who am I one small person against a huge machine.
Prescription drugs for cancer patients are beyond expensive. Its so sad that there are so many people fighting for their lives and these insurance companies would rather see us die and suffer than do their job, cover us!
Anyway on a lighter note I stopped by to tell you I launched my coffee site today, open and ready for orders :) If you want to check it out go to www.getthebean.com.
Also, we are doing GIVEAWAYS for the rest of this month. To enter visit www.getthebean.blogspot.com :)
Have an awesome weekend!
-Meg
So sorry to hear all this sweetie! I know all about insurance woes unfortunately. Have you ever looked into supplemental benefits?
Adding to the "insurance joy" of the day- - - - - - The VA (Veterans Administration) after THREE YEARS of accepting him, getting the necessary meds at a greatly reduced price, NOW finally caught up with their paper work.
On Medicare, but still carry Supplement Ins. cause the Marion Ill facility is the pits and we worry about their care.
So now the VA ( a government agency) is now BILLING Medicare ( a govenment agency) and our insurance company for MONEY.
His insurance went up $11.35 cents on his b-day.
And don't even get me started on the PLAN D prescription drug program. After 2 years of adequate coverage, cost and increase----they have now UPPED IT 41% for next year.
Madder than H------ Carol
I've been very fortunate with very few issues with my insurance companies. However, I did get an enormous bill from the lab last week because they didn't key in my insurance correctly.
insurance companies and billing agents are the DEBBIL!
I hate, hate , hate when crap can't be sorted out...
idiots.
I go through this ALL the time with medical bills for my Grampy.
They send you a check one week and a nasty-o-gram the next.
You call them on it and they claim to know nothing about it.
WHATEVER!
what a nightmare. I take several prescriptions for a million things, and I am forever going to the doctors. Fortunately, I have a decent health plan that provides acceptable copays on scripts.
I feel bad you have to put up with that!
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