question about medical insurance letter

[zixxer]

basically, at the top, in huge bold letters, it says: "THIS IS NOT A BILL"


yet there is a table... and in the column "amounts not covered" there are listings for "medical care" and "other medical services" and another "other medical services" totalling "166.50"


Okay... I have medical insurance through blue cross blue shield... WTF would they not pay for an office visit (I was sick as crap, and had a strep test, a shot in the butt (I think steroids or something?) and a prescription written


That explaints the charges... but WTF do I have med insurance for if they aren't going to pay for anything????

 

[Coquito]

They try to get you to pay for everything. They figure you'll slip up somewhere. Even if they cover it, they'll ask for the money.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: Coquito
They try to get you to pay for everything. They figure you'll slip up somewhere. Even if they cover it, they'll ask for the money.

Well I wonder WTF I'm supposed to explain. I paid my co-pay... it covers office visits. I didn't go to the ER or anything.. just a physicians immediate.. I mean I understand paying for like.. the shot in the arse.. and *maybe* the strep test... but not the visit itself

 

[FoBoT]

you probably have a deductible and since the year just started over, you haven't met it yet
so when the doc sends you a bill for $166.50 , you'll have to pay it with your own $$$

most plans yearly deductible is between $200 and $1000 per person

 

[ActuaryTm]

Absolutely wild stab in the dark of an idea: call your provider.

"This is not a bill" statements are rather common.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you probably have a deductible and since the year just started over, you haven't met it yet
so when the doc sends you a bill for $166.50 , you'll have to pay it with your own $$$

most plans yearly deductible is between $200 and $1000 per person

OMFG I thought that deductible was for things that aren't gen office visits??!!!! Like if I break my leg and have to go to a specialist or the ER.....

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Absolutely wild stab in the dark of an idea: call your provider.

"This is not a bill" statements are rather common.

yeah great idea d!ckwad. It's 9pm here in the east coast. They're closed.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: armatron
yeah great idea d!ckwad. It's 9pm here in the east coast. They're closed.

And will never reopen?

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: armatron
yeah great idea d!ckwad. It's 9pm here in the east coast. They're closed.

And will never reopen?

yeah, it will reopen in 10 hours. I'm impatient, and would like to know before I try to go to sleep if I've got to pay $166.

 

[FoBoT]

is this the first year you've had medical insurance? the deductibles can be surprising if you aren't planning ahead

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: armatron
yeah, it will reopen in 10 hours. I'm impatient, and would like to know before I try to go to sleep if I've got to pay $166.

no, you're outpatient.

*rimshot*

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
is this the first year you've had medical insurance? the deductibles can be surprising if you aren't planning ahead

our medical insurance changed when we were bought out... before I just paid my copay and never got a bill or anything

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
is this the first year you've had medical insurance? the deductibles can be surprising if you aren't planning ahead

Judging by the query, would say that is a solid yes, or that something recently changed (job change, provider change, etc). And nothing wrong with not knowing, of course - no one is born with this knowledge.

Read the policy (which most everyone does not do). Contact the representative at one's place of employment regarding the benefits provided, as they are generally familiar with the plans offered. And of course, the provider as mentioned earlier.

but WTF do I have med insurance for if they aren't going to pay for anything?

Large loss indemnification. That is really the bottom line intention of insurance in general.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: FoBoT
is this the first year you've had medical insurance? the deductibles can be surprising if you aren't planning ahead

Judging by the query, would say that is a solid yes, or that something recently changed (job change, provider change, etc). And nothing wrong with not knowing, of course - no one is born with this knowledge.

Read the policy (which most everyone does not do). Contact the representative at one's place of employment regarding the benefits provided, as they are generally familiar with the plans offered. And of course, the provider as mentioned earlier.

but WTF do I have med insurance for if they aren't going to pay for anything?

Large loss indemnification. That is really the bottom line intention of insurance in general.

yeah the company was bought out. Our booklet thing... well... I'll take the $160 loss to not have to read that HUGE ridiculous thing.