I needed health insurance. I went online and filled out a few ads for quotes. I started to get phones calls from sales people, asking the basic questions. I live on an island and we have certain limitations when it comes to health care, especially if they are MEDICAL DISCOUNT CARDS.
I ask specific questions. I asked if two hospitals / clinics were covered under their policy. The local hospital and the clinic across the water. The response being yes. I asked if their policy covered surgery, again yes. I asked how much, very easily spoken by the sales person was " We cover up to $10,000.00 and 70% after that." Wonderful, now I can make my appointment, without fear of a huge bill later. I was in need of seeing a Dr and expressed that to the salesman. He assured me that if I paid the 224.00 premium that they would expedite my payment and get me rolling with an ID number.
I made an apointment for 2 days later as I was assured everything would fall into place.
I gave the front counter my ID number, went to my appointment and continued on. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. I was sent to a specialist early on a Mon. Morning. After the specialist, was another, then a cat scan, then a surgeon. I was diagnosed early March, surgery by the end of April. When I was notified that I was going for surgery, the nurse, commented on a note in my file. It was from the billing dept that said that I do not have health insurance, but in fact a MEDICAL DISCOUNT CARD. They were not going to cover any part of the surgery, I now have a prexisting condition with surgery coming up. Hmm. I feel screwed. I made phone calls to the company that sold me the insurance. Since the call was taped, they went back and listened to what I was told. Their response to me was, "WE can't be resposible for what our employees tell you to sell you a policy." They supposedly fired the guy. I went to the insurance company and they said They are very sorry that I was mislead and that I could cancel my policy if I was unhappy. Hmm... Screwed again. I kept the card hoping for some light somewhere, since I couldn't really go elsewhere at this point. They didn't help with anything. There were no big discounts and to top it off the clinic I asked about being in the plan had never heard of them. I was stuck with HUGE Dr. Bills over $23,000.00 after the tests, surgery, an ambulance ride, and 1 night
in the hospital. These are now in collections. I am however paying on them. It is going to take forever.
They have taken no responsibility for their people. The Attorney general doesn't want to help, I seem to be getting brushed off. There has to be a way to make these people take responsibility for their employees. They are misleading and can leave you with way more than you asked for. Not in benefits, but in debt.
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