- Uncategorized (86)
- June 22, 2007: Rx Nopays
- May 6, 2007: STM for College Grad
- January 19, 2007: Agent Compensation
- January 18, 2007: Self Insuring
- January 17, 2007: Over Medicated
- January 10, 2007: How Much Do I Need to Say I Weigh?
- January 7, 2007: Underwriting rejection
- December 13, 2006: Pre-existing Conditions
- December 12, 2006: Questions & Opinions
- December 4, 2006: Half a Plan
Patient Billing
Q. My health insurance was getting too expensive so I shopped around. I talked to several agents including one who spent a lot of time with me, explaining all the different options and showed me how the plan I had, and the ones I was considering, had a lot of benefits I would hardly ever use. By eliminating those items, I could save about 30% on my premiums.
Unlike most agents, he did not pressure me to buy on the spot. He answered all my questions and allowed me to study each plan option.
Yesterday he called to check in with me. I told him I had already bought from another agent who came to my home. He asked which plan and which company offered the plan. When I told him he said I had made a big mistake.
I explained that I checked out the company with the state insurance department and there were no complaints.
He told me I should have checked with patient billing at my doctor’s office and a local hospital. He said I would find that providers will usually refuse to accept assignment of benefits and will require me to pay them then file my own claim.
I think he is just angry I did not buy from him.
A. I think you are wrong.
The agent is not angry but rather is incredulous that you would buy from an agent that only had one company to offer and that company has such a poor product and reputation. He is correct. Most providers will NOT accept assignment and you WILL have to pay the provider then try and get reimbursement.
Rarely will the DOI make disparaging remarks about a carrier. The closest to that are press releases indicating a company was fined for a particular action.
If you want to know which companies do the best job of keeping your doctors happy, ask the billing department. Happy billing departments mean less headache for you.
I agree with the agent who tried to help you. You made a big mistake.