Eight years ago I needed health insurance and went with Blue cross blue shield of GA. I thought that this would be a company that I could deal with that would be honest and reputable.
At that tome I was told that I could be insured only if I signed a waiver of 5 years because I had been hospitalized within the past 5 years. I agreed to this because I thought that it would be worth it for the coverage that I would receive for the rest of my life. I also thought that I could afford that rate.
The first 5 years of my policy was of no use to me because I had signed the waiver. My premium did increase yearly, and I paid it on time, without fail.
Whenever I reached the age of 50 this year, my premium increased 2 times. I was not sent a letter to this effect before it occured and was quite taken back when my premium was increased to $669 a month. My income is approx.$1200 a month, so as you can see there is no way that I could pay this premium. I only found out about the huge rate increase when I was sent this bill inn Jan. At that time, I tried several time to call the company to see if I could go with another plan that I could afford.
After being on the phone for a total of 18 hours the month of Jan., with no results, I again tried to contact the company in Feb. After 14 hours on the phone with Blue Cross Blue Shield, i was told that the only way that they would consider a change in plans would be if I were to pay a total of $1438 and then they would consider it. My total monthly income of $1200 would not allow me to pay this premium.
It would seem that I would not be able to do the right thing, and keep my insurance that I had struggled with for the past 8 years, with minimal benefits, at best, for all of this time.
I tried to get coverage through AARP, but was denied because of previous illnesses. No new insurance would cover me now because of pre-existing conditions.
I've wasted 10s of thousands of dollars with Blue cross Blue Shield of GA., most of the time of which I was not covered, only to be treated this way when they had sucked me dry.
So much for me trying to do the right thing and carry my own weight, because now I am left to try to get on Government assistance for my health care. This might take years, if ever to take place. Mean while, taxpayers, like yourself are left to pick up the tab for my medical expenses.
The supervisor that made this choice for you is Belinda Blackwell at the Columbus GA office. Thanks Ms. Blackwell, it's people like you that have made our health care the mess that it is today!
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