Death to insurance companies

[andiamo]

There is a little known law on the books that dictates your spouse is entitled to 36 months of Cobra, instead of the usual 18 months, if you leave your job to retire at over age 65.  I did that and signed up for Cobra for both of us.  I applied to Medicare when I was eligible.

It is now 16 months and I received a notice from Aetna, my Cobra insurer, that my Cobra and my wife�s would expire in July.  I reminded them that I wanted my wife to remain on Cobra for another 18 months (36 in total) and they said the law changed.

After many hours using Google, making phone calls and doing research, I became convinced the law did not change.  I called Aetna back and asked for another 18 months, they, of course, said no.  I told them we could do this the easy way or the hard way; the hard way being a legal battle.  I got the usual hold on and then a supervisor who said there must have been a misunderstanding; my spouse could continue on Cobra for another 18 months!!

I hate insurance companies!!!!!!

[wyntre9]

You're not alone!

But congrats on doing battle and winning.

I went through a similar situation with my meds and it took 2 days and dozens of phone calls to straighten things out in my favor.

If i hadn't challenged the decision, I would have been really screwed.  My issue was that the new prescription company mandated I fill scripts through mail order instead of being able to pick them up at the local pharmacy.

The pharmacist basically told me the insurance companies make things difficult on purpose in the hopes that people will just give up.

Like in Grisham's Rainman.

Well, i succeeded in getting a one-time override of the 'new' rule but sure enough, the only way to get my meds now is through mail order.


Keep up the good fight.

Wyntre

[andiamo]

We need to keep up the good fight.

[andiamo]

Hi Elaine,

I am glad you can laugh about it.  I already offended enough folks with my post about flaming!

I think the medical situation in this country is headed for a disaster and insurance is part of the problem.

Take care,
Eric

[LSRL]

Unfortunately, "health" insurance in this country is really only beneficial if you're healthy.

You only find out when you need to use it how you sometimes are forced to fight for every little thing.

[GrandmaA]

Mike Moore's new movi< Sicko, is coming out on the 26th about our trillion dollar medical insurance situation in this country. Even people with insurance are many times denied benefits and have even died. Blue Shield told this lady she did not have a brain tumor and it eventually killed her. I think they denied her MRI.  Another patient was told the medical procedure she wanted was "experimental".  When you are sick you don't want to fight the insurance company, you are already fighting the disease.

[ladywhy]

Right this second...I am so disgusted...and feel so powerless against these giants. You won! Way ta go!
Yvonne

[dmhrdh]

Amen to that!
All I can say is I feel like I've done nothing but fight with health insurance companies my entire adult life.  I have always been self-insured and....wait...... I can't even go there I get so PO'd!

[FL_Gal]

I am having a real hard time with insurance right now!  They are a bunch of poopheads!  I had changed jobs, so I got new insurance (same company-AETNA, just a different group now) and it took me from May 1 until yesterday to have my prescriptions transferred.  This is with both me and the doctor's office talking to them several times a week.  And of course, you don't get the same answer from any two people... GRRRRR!!  At one point they said they wouldn't cover it at all, and my doctor told them he would hold them responsible for "interruption of treatment".

One person at the insurance company even said to me "Well, you shouldn't change your insurance when you're in the middle of treatment."  Yeah, like I had any choice about it.

And then, I asked them why my copay for Wellbutrin was so high, since I only get generic, and they said because it's a non-formulary Rx.  So, I made some kind of flip comment like "I may as well get the brand then for $40" and the rep says that the BRAND copay is only $25.  HUH???  I guess I'll be getting brand from now on.  What idiots!

[ladywhy]

What a nightmare AETNA is! I'm glad it worked out ok for you though. Yesterday the PA at Docs office told me they are the worst (she repeated that) to deal with and her office is always having problems/hassles with them. I wish I had known that when I signed up. I thought they were one of the best! Pfffffft. I am self insured..so with a pre-existing condition...I'm stuck.
Hope you have a pleasant weekend!
Y