Healthcare insurance companies are on my short list for contempt.
They underpay, take forever to pay, deny after approval and rescind for fun. Why should I not pitch them the BS they deserve in return?
Today I received a particularly funny (and O-So-Typical) letter concerning a woman for whom I performed breast reduction a few weeks ago. This case was the largest I have done this year with over 4 pounds of breast tissue in the removed specimen. Her back pain is gone. She can stand up straight. And her husband looks like an worked-up fiancé (amongst the best compliments in my book).
Bottom Line: This case was medically-indicated and I did a great job. Sorry Blue Cross.
Nevertheless, Blue Cross via letter issued a denial/delay of payment after the surgery had been performed (and after their own pre-operative approval). They are trying to make payment the responsibility of the HMO arm of her insurance plan. I am not an HMO provider. They know it won’t work, but it will delay payment.
This is Health care Insurance Company B.S. Maneuver #1 from the “We’re Cornered But We Can Still Delay The Payment” chapter.
They know this abuse is amongst the reasons doctors drop insurers. I can certainly see why many of my friends have done so.
More of that wonderful treatment from your insurance industry.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
Originally posted 2005-06-30 20:09:00.
Hello Dr. J.
I really enjoy reading your posts, this especially hit a nerve and makes me wish more professionals would rally up and tell the truth regarding insurance. It is a sad reality that many people have such a difficult time with claims that are necessary and honest.
I just wanted to let you know that your post meant a great deal and I really enjoy reading all the information you give-thank you.
I hate insurance companies. I have coverage but I try to use it sparingly otherwise it’s just something else I have to keep track of.
That’s been a pain for me as a patient… spending hours on the phone with them explaining why yes, it really IS their problem. I can’t imagine what it’s like for doctors or their billing offices trying to deal with those people. I know my PCP has FT people that deal JUST with my insurance carrier. This is sad because the office belongs to the health system that owns the carrier. I wonder how much money they waste in man hours and paperwork trying to get out of paying things?? It’s like when you were a kid, and you’d do crazy things to get out of a chore or homework, and you ended up putting for more effort and wasting more time than it would have taken to just DO it.
That is rediculous. The amount of money we pay every month means nothing to them. They just want to get their grubby little hands on our money and keep it!!