I had to change my insurance carrier

[question everything]

Medicare had to mess things up and my former carries no longer has my primary physician - 4 miles away - in the program.

I looked around and chose a new one. Will see how it works. I paid the January premium when it arrived in the mail.

And then, the February invoice is a mess. Yes, I owe more.

So I called and the helpful rep was trying to get info with the billing dept - apparently I cannot - and promised to ask and someone would call me back. Yes, OK to live a detailed message.

But, I was still pissed. It did not make sense. So I did what i often do - fired a letter to the president. I detailed the problem and added that we, seniors, are always on alert for, financial "misrepresentations" and such mistakes should not be tolerated. And, yes, that I was glad to select monthly invoices by mail instead of letting them withdraw the funds from the bank.

Usually I hear from an assistant, or an executive in charge of such matters. This time, within two days, the president called me. Apologized, thanked me for my membership and promised to look into it.

That afternoon, we were out, there was a message from the billing dept. Apologized, said that it was fixed. Always nice to get a nudge from the president, I suppose.

Now will have to see how the March invoice looks..

So... don't take any invoice for granted. Check it.

I am getting too old for these.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Are you talking about a Medicare Advantage program?

[question everything]

2. Yes. I had a "Cost" and it had to end

[DURHAM D]

3. Thank you for asking. My pet peeve -

posts about Medicare Advantage and they call it Medicare.

Edit: A couple of months ago I was in the room when three couples started talking about what Medicare does and does not pay for. I could immediately tell that one couple had regular Medicare with a Plan F supplemental and Part D. Another couple had a Medicare Advantage plan with high deductibles and the other couple had a better Medicare Advantage plan.

They were talking past each other and getting frustrated because none of them understood what the other couples had.

They (the couples with Advantage) were generally pissed off about what was not covered.
These two couples with Advantage plans had no idea they were not on regular Medicare. They even mentioned that they see an adviser every year to review their coverage and make sure they are on the right plan. The "adviser" is actually an agent who works for Humana but they think it is a neutral government adviser.

I decided to stay out of it because I didn't have a dry erase board or any sock puppets to help them out of the maze.

[question everything]

4. Well, it is a supplemental

And it was Medicare that forced my carrier to drop the "cost" and to switch to "Advantage."

I did consider just to use the basic Medicare but was told that I would have to check with my providers of whether they accept Medicare and, of course, the charges, at least my co-pay.

[DURHAM D]

8. Sorry but I don't understand your post.

That is okay. I don't need to. Thanks

[question everything]

10. You want to differentiate between Medicare and the supplemental plans

like Medicare Advantage and the other supplements.

Yes, my problem is (was) with Medicare Advantage but would not have had Medicare not changed the rules.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I wish you could write a letter to Blue Shield for me.

In Dec I switched from a PPO to an HMO and was told that all but one of my 5 doctors was covered in the new plan. Over the past two weeks I have found that that doctor IS covered but two others aren't. 3 out of 5...what incompetence! Now I have to wait 6 months for an appointment and suffer through daily migraines since I can't get my Botox injections (unless I want to pay $4,000 for one session). If I were this incompetent at my job I would have been fired. The people at Blue Shield do not even apologize.

[question everything]

6. I think that this year, if your plan was discontinued you have until end of Feb

to change. And change back.

When I lived in CA had my own individual insurance with a Blue but I heard that Kaiser is good. Can you look into it?

[BigmanPigman]

7. I have the ACA with tax credits

so my options are very limited unfortunately.

[question everything]

11. Try to contact Allergan directly. All of them have programs to assist patients who have

difficulty getting their products.

I thought that they were still in Irvine, Orange County, but with all the mergers and acquisitions their head quarters in in New Jersey.

Write to the president, and explain. Why not?

https://www.allergan.com/about/executive-leadership

5 Giralda Farms
Madison, NJ 07940
[phone]


Chairman, President and CEO, Allergan
Brenton L. Saunders

Brent Saunders is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allergan plc. Mr. Saunders has served as a Director, CEO and President since July 2014.

Could not find anything in their "Patient Assistance" page, though.

http://www.allerganaccess.com/patient-assistance

Good luck!

[BigmanPigman]

12. Thanks for all the help and info.

My doctor gave me a coupon from the company (Allergan) when I started treatments but it was a one time/first time only coupon. My friend worked for Merck and gave me the same advice you did...write directly to the the CEO or president. I did and I got the same coupon I already used in the mail from them as a response. By that time Blue Shield approved it for medical reasons. Now I have to see if a new doctor in my plan will be able to see me ASAP and skip the requirement for an evaluation appointment first (each takes months to get...long waiting list).

You are very kind and thoughtful! I appreciate it...

[elleng]

9. Good work, and question everything!