Just mad and confused

[NorasMom]

I had a rather weird phone call this evening, after hours, from my GP's office. Her long-time office manager told me that she'd gotten a call from my insurance company saying that they'd flagged my account because I was overdue for an A1C. She asked if I had paperwork for tests I'd put off, and I pointed out that I'm not and never have been a diabetic. IF I've ever had an A1C it was back before diagnosis when they were checking me for everything under the sun. The insurance company was insistent that I get one done soon.

So I get in touch with the insurance company online, and their website never works. After 2 hours just trying to sign on, it took another 15 minutes to link up with someone on their chat. He informs me that they never flag accounts, never force people to get tests, and has no idea what I'm talking about. I don't believe a word he said, because he also argued that I have a different insurance plan than what I know I have.

So, now I have to either go through the hassle of trying to call someone tomorrow or just drop the whole thing and see if they follow up. I'm afraid of what they might do if I don't get the A1C. They already call and lecture me about taking my prescriptions and setting up doctor's appointments that I don't need. Have any of you ever dealt with something like this?

[kdali]

Sounds very weird. I don't have diabetes, but get that test every year along with a cholesterol panel which is equally pointless for me to have 🤷‍♀️ I have not taken anything that would get flagged at the pharmacy if I forgot to refill it. I think after all of that, I would be left wondering if I had went crazy 😵‍💫

[NorasMom in reply to kdali]

My pharmacy's really great at calling me to say that it's time to refill my prescriptions, then they'll mail them to me for free if I don't feel like picking them up. I'm wondering if the insurance company is just using some private contractor to hound people as a way to make more money of us.

[Humbrd]

That's crazy. But maybe just go and get the test done 🤔. Then maybe that will satisfy whoever is screwing up your insurance. And the mix-up probably will never happen again. I'd rather go and get my blood drawn than sit on the phone with automated systems and stuff like that for hours.

[NorasMom in reply to Humbrd]

I thought of that, but my GP's not interested in sending me for one, and my neuro's office would question it if I requested one. Then there's the fact that I'd need a ride for the 15 miles to have the blood drawn. This whole thing has just left a bad taste and makes me wonder if I should think about changing my insurance next year. I've been with these people since 1986!

[Brindisi1]

Ask for the paperwork from the ins Co. Sounds odd to me.

Funny I asked for A1C & the NP refused it.

The only thing my Dr office pushes is the well person exam. Which I have differed as they are never available when I am not well & need immediate appt.

Good luck

[Texandyroe]

OMG! That sounds very fishy! I’ve never heard of an insurance company contacting a doctor’s office about a drug not taken. And why the NP didn’t tell the insurance company called that you did not need that test is also questionable. Insurance companies are not doctors (much as they’d like to act like it some time). If it were me…and that’s just my 70+ year old stubborn brain speaking…I’d just ignore the call u til my next dr appointment when I could bring it up with him/her.

[NorasMom in reply to Texandyroe]

Our insurance company has gotten so big in recent years. They have umpteen health plans and a growing number of hospitals. I'm really beginning to think that this is coming from some subcontracted group that has its employees working on a quota system. Like, we'll only pay you if you get this many patients to schedule tests or doctor's appointments. I actually have a tenuous connection to someone on the board of directors, and I'm seriously thinking about writing him a letter about all this.

[Texandyroe in reply to NorasMom]

Wow! I would definitely write to that connection (remember, 70+ year old stubborn brain with nothing else to do🤪). Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Goldilockssearching]

hmm… my interactions w ins co is 1) too many cooks in the kitchen 2) no one ever knows what is going on. My ins calls all the time saying I have a benefit available I’m not using-I ignore it bc no way am I getting anyone else involved!

Personally, I’d ask your GP to handle this directly w ins. Let them sort it out.

[mrsmike9]

Fortunately I have never had that. I've had other issues with my health insurance but not that one. The last one of mine was cleared up when I filed a grievance. That worked great! You might want to try it.

[NorasMom in reply to mrsmike9]

I finally decided to complain through their online chat, which was the only part of the website that would work. The girl told me that she'd report it to their grievance committee and I should hear from someone within 30 days. I'm not holding my breath.

In the meantime, I was sitting in ICU today with my uncle when the insurance company called to ask if I wanted a mammogram...

[mrsmike9 in reply to NorasMom]

What escalated mine is I told them I was going to report them to the State Insurance Commission. That made them scoot a bit faster!

[NorasMom in reply to mrsmike9]

lol

[kycmary]

Hey hey hey calm down take a breath sound like Aetna they do that to me all the time. Last time I told them I was choosing a new carrier come open enrolment DON"T use the web site if it is causing you distress there is a phone number on the back of your insurance card use that! message me if you want. God bless you always Mary

[greaterexp]

Insurance companies tend to practice medicine without a license.