So I just went off on the phone for the 1st time ever. . .

[episodic]

Wife's medical insurance we bought. (edit: through employer a third party company)

They said when we got it that she was within the "creditable coverage" window for no pre-existing conditions and that covering pre-existing problems would not be a problem.

There were some things that were rejected from being paid to the doctor - and when we would call they'd say that it was due to a letter from an old physician or something. To which we handled.

Now here physician says he can't see her until like 1000$ worth of stuff is paid - and we were flabbergasted as we thought the insurance was handling it.

We called today - for the dozenth time and this time they told my wife that she was 1 day outside the creditable coverage window. She broke down in tears on the phone and I took the phone and I ended up in a cussing fit. I think I used ever word at least once. Mainly on the note of "this is bs" and the "company is f'in screwing us", etc. . .

I feel so bad now for doing it.

I asked the guy to transfer me to a supervisor and they won't budge.

I've never in my life cussed on the phone before - but the sight of my wife crying and absurdness of it all (as I know what she was told all along), made me real upset. I asked to be transferred back to apologize and the would not or couldn't (said they couldn't) - but that they would get the apology back to the guy.

I'm hoping that no trouble will come of it, I'm very OCD and I usually bind myself to be polite to a fault as I don't want to get worrisome thoughts, etc. and now I'm worried sick about this.


I'm so upset with her insurance situation, I don't know what to do

 

[Saint Nick]

feels good yeah?

 

[Bateluer]

Sucks. I haven't actually met an insurance company I've enjoyed doing business with. Aren't they supposed to work for me, I mean, I do hire them and pay them money on regular intervals.

 

[swbsam]

No shame in losing your patience on the phone. No shame in using profanity. You're a man, it's ok to roar!

The situation with your wife's insurance is unfortunate and I don't have any constructive advice, but I suggest channeling your energy and frustration into finding a solution, and not just dwelling over this one silly incident over the phone.

I'm a very calm person but, every once in a while, someone with a high school degree tries to hinder my happiness over the phone, using their shit position in a manner to feel empowered ... An "are you fucking kidding me?" is often warranted

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Feels good man.

Don't sweat it, won't be the first ball-breaking the guy has had.

 

[NuclearNed]

One of the few things I've learned in my 38 years is that insurance companies are pure undiluted evil.

 

[shortylickens]

I lose patience on the phone with telemarketers and political groups.
Always used USAA for car insurance and the workplace for health insurance, so I never had to get angry about insurance problems.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
One of the few things I've learned in my 38 years is that insurance companies are pure undiluted evil.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
I lose patience on the phone with telemarketers and political groups.

cant you just hang up once they id themselves?

 

[LTC8K6]

In the future, get it in writing.

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Originally posted by: swbsam
No shame in losing your patience on the phone. No shame in using profanity. You're a man, it's ok to roar!

The situation with your wife's insurance is unfortunate and I don't have any constructive advice, but I suggest channeling your energy and frustration into finding a solution, and not just dwelling over this one silly incident over the phone.

I'm a very calm person but, every once in a while, someone with a high school degree tries to hinder my happiness over the phone, using their shit position in a manner to feel empowered ... An "are you fucking kidding me?" is often warranted

Funny, I have the opposite of people with degrees calling in to agents where I work and giving them Hell because we are following Federal guidelines or policies set in place where we work and they were trying to game the system to get out of fees.

 

[nakedfrog]

Gooood... I can feel your hatred...

 

[AreaCode707]

If you want to make sure your apology gets back to the particular rep you cussed out, write to them. They read all mail and they can track back the call. It's a good morale-booster for the reps to get that bit of human interaction sometimes so they'll go out of their way to make sure it gets to him.

Sorry to hear about your insurance situation though. I would recommend writing on this too. I've never worked at an insurance company but other service companies I worked for had special teams handling customer correspondence to the CEO. You could often get good personalized attention and results from writing to that level.

 

[episodic]

Hey, her last day at her previous position was 6/30/2008 (that is when her insurance ended).

She began work at the new job on 8/19/2008 - and took out the insurance

She only gets paid twice a month (every 2 weeks).

So they didn't take out the insurance payment till their first check.

Are you not supposed to be insured from the moment you start working?

If you went from 6-30-08 to 8-19-08 - then she was well in the 63 day window.

Her first check was 9-4-08. . .outside the window of 63 days by 1 day.

She was told all along it was ok. Now it is being told that it is not.

Anything I can do - or are we simply screwed.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: episodic
Hey, her last day at her previous position was 6/30/2008 (that is when her insurance ended).

She began work at the new job on 8/19/2008 - and took out the insurance

She only gets paid twice a month (every 2 weeks).

So they didn't take out the insurance payment till their first check.

Are you not supposed to be insured from the moment you start working?

If you went from 6-30-08 to 8-19-08 - then she was well in the 63 day window.

Her first check was 9-4-08. . .outside the window of 63 days by 1 day.

She was told all along it was ok. Now it is being told that it is not.

Anything I can do - or are we simply screwed.

I'm assuming this is employer-related insurance? I would actually try talking to her HR department and asking them to help deal with the insurance company. If she was given misinformation that led to you not choosing to get personal insurance, which would have bridged the gap and allowed her pre-existing condition to be covered, then they may be able to assist.

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Episodic,

I agree with AC707, where I work you can verbally submit a complaint (or written) and a Consumer Advocate will personally go out of their way to rectify the situation if it is warranted or we feel the employee was out of line.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: episodic
Hey, her last day at her previous position was 6/30/2008 (that is when her insurance ended).

She began work at the new job on 8/19/2008 - and took out the insurance

She only gets paid twice a month (every 2 weeks).

So they didn't take out the insurance payment till their first check.

Are you not supposed to be insured from the moment you start working?

If you went from 6-30-08 to 8-19-08 - then she was well in the 63 day window.

Her first check was 9-4-08. . .outside the window of 63 days by 1 day.

She was told all along it was ok. Now it is being told that it is not.

Anything I can do - or are we simply screwed.

I'm assuming this is employer-related insurance? I would actually try talking to her HR department and asking them to help deal with the insurance company. If she was given misinformation that led to you not choosing to get personal insurance, which would have bridged the gap and allowed her pre-existing condition to be covered, then they may be able to assist.

I'm just smiling at the absurdity of 'personal' insurance. Ever tried to get 'personal' insurance when you have a rare medical genetic skin condition that needs treatment? My wife has tried - and it is impossible.

On a positive note, we are trying the HR with her company. . .

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: episodic
Hey, her last day at her previous position was 6/30/2008 (that is when her insurance ended).

She began work at the new job on 8/19/2008 - and took out the insurance

She only gets paid twice a month (every 2 weeks).

So they didn't take out the insurance payment till their first check.

Are you not supposed to be insured from the moment you start working?

If you went from 6-30-08 to 8-19-08 - then she was well in the 63 day window.

Her first check was 9-4-08. . .outside the window of 63 days by 1 day.

She was told all along it was ok. Now it is being told that it is not.

Anything I can do - or are we simply screwed.

I'm assuming this is employer-related insurance? I would actually try talking to her HR department and asking them to help deal with the insurance company. If she was given misinformation that led to you not choosing to get personal insurance, which would have bridged the gap and allowed her pre-existing condition to be covered, then they may be able to assist.

I'm just smiling at the absurdity of 'personal' insurance. Ever tried to get 'personal' insurance when you have a rare medical genetic skin condition that needs treatment? My wife has tried - and it is impossible.

On a positive note, we are trying the HR with her company. . .

That hits very close.

I can vouch for that, I've seen the attempts for a genetic inflammatory skin disorder. it isn't via an employer group plan, it is impossible. Thousands of dollars a month. It is depressing and very hard to deal with.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: episodic
Hey, her last day at her previous position was 6/30/2008 (that is when her insurance ended).

She began work at the new job on 8/19/2008 - and took out the insurance

She only gets paid twice a month (every 2 weeks).

So they didn't take out the insurance payment till their first check.

Are you not supposed to be insured from the moment you start working?

If you went from 6-30-08 to 8-19-08 - then she was well in the 63 day window.

Her first check was 9-4-08. . .outside the window of 63 days by 1 day.

She was told all along it was ok. Now it is being told that it is not.

Anything I can do - or are we simply screwed.

I'm assuming this is employer-related insurance? I would actually try talking to her HR department and asking them to help deal with the insurance company. If she was given misinformation that led to you not choosing to get personal insurance, which would have bridged the gap and allowed her pre-existing condition to be covered, then they may be able to assist.

I'm just smiling at the absurdity of 'personal' insurance. Ever tried to get 'personal' insurance when you have a rare medical genetic skin condition that needs treatment? My wife has tried - and it is impossible.

On a positive note, we are trying the HR with her company. . .

That hits very close.

I can vouch for that, I've seen the attempts for a genetic inflammatory skin disorder. it isn't via an employer group plan, it is impossible. Thousands of dollars a month. It is depressing and very hard to deal with.

Thats why I broke down and cussed. I just don't know what to do. I feel powerless to help my wife.