(links added 02/23/11)
If you read the Daily Camera, one would belive that Individual Insurance is a total scam. Being declined for acne is a hot topic with it being mentioned both editorially and in a recent letter to the editor. I’ll save my comments for another day, but don’t believe for a second that coverage isn’t available for these individuals.
I’d like to serve our family as an example that Individual Insurance can and does work. My daughter has had two stays at Children’s Hospital, one in December and another a month later. As I’m sure many readers know (well I’d have to have “many readers” for this statement to be true!), there are a multitude of charges involved with even a simple hospital stay. For example, various medical procedures, doctors visits, blood transfusions, IV’s and possibly ambulance transportation, etc.
During this time, only twice have we had to speak with our insurance company. The first event was due to the doctor’s office not using the proper contact number for authorization of an outpatient procedure and the 2nd (just today) has to do with an ambulance transport bill.
With the first authorization, the day of the outpatient procedure we became aware of the issue. The nurse/caseworker at the insurance company helped us get the approval we needed in under an hour. Not only was the initial procedure of about $8000 approved, we were provided with approval for continuing treatment for the next 6 months. The 2nd issue is a typical paperwork issue where the companies obviously aren’t communicating. I belive it’s under control, but in the grand scheme of things this is a minor issue.
Without totalling up the bills, it’s probably a good estimate that our insurance company has paid out over $80,000 in the last 2 1/2 months. Everything we expected to be covered has been covered.
I’d like to say thanks and yes, individual insurance does work.
No, I’m not under any illusion that it’s a panacea out there or that Insurance companies can’t be total aholes, even when they do pay. I had a close friend pass away a few year back and his wife had to wage many battles with the insurance company. Interestingly enough, this was COBRA continuation coverage of a group policy.
