These stories come from the real people who live with a broken health care system. Some have health insurance and some do not. Many of these stories suggest potential solutions* that lead to quality, affordable health care we can count on. One thing we all agree on is that the we cannot trust the insurance industry to fix themselves. To learn more about what Health Care for America Now stands for read our Statement of Common Purpose.
We wanted to give you a chance to speak for yourself, in your own voice, about the need for Health Care for America Now. Do you have something to say? Tell us your story.
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Anonymous
Russell, MA
After seeing a particular doctor for over 2 years, the doctor decided to opt out of Medicare. He had been helping me recover my health, and I continued to see him as needed, but I now had to pay for the visits up front. GIC, my secondary insurance,(Medicare being my primary), assured me that all of the visits would be covered, and my payments reimmbursed.
It is now almost two years since my last visit to this doctor; I have spent about 30 hours on the telephone, spoken to 20 different employees of the company, including supervisors, all reassured me that they cover non-medicare doctors visits, but non ever gave me the same explanation as to why I was not being reimmbursed. Some could not find any records, others found different ones, but not others that had been located before. I mailed and remailed copies of EOBs and Medicare Summaries and their refusals. I sent them certified mail. I faxed the same that had been mailed and faxed before a dozen times It cost me money and time and still the mailed records could not be found and the faxes not received, or not found, or were "cut off" and could not be read. Supervisors promised to get back to me but never did. I was even told by one employee I should not go to a doctor who does not take Medicare; I should find one who does.
Meanwhile, my former employer and I pay over $1000. per month for this insurance and it continues to increase in cost annually.
Finally, out of ten visits, all with the same codes and all between $75.-$110. I was reimbursed 100% on one, 90.% on one, 20% on two and 10% on one. The other five are still to be located and I presume for me to fight over. I am thinking perhaps I need to get the assistance of a lawyer.
*Health Care for America Now is not responsible for the content of these stories. These stories are submitted by individuals in the online audience and have been edited in some cases. Health Care For America Now does not endorse any of the solutions or policy positions suggested in the content of these stories. Health Care for America Now is a coalition of organizations that agree to the Statement of Common Purpose.
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Read the Statement of Common Purpose.
