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View Full Version : I am so mad I could throw something.... (insurance)


telizas
09-18-2009, 01:04 PM
When I first looked into getting a pump, I sent my insurance info to both Animas and Minimed. I also called Medica and asked if there was a preferred pump under my plan. They instructed me to have the pump company contact them. Both Animas and Minimed said I was covered 80/20 on this type of item and I had a $2500 out-of-pocket maximum, that I had met approx $1500 of that and my out of pocket for the pump would contribute to this figure. Each pump was about $900, my cost. I have an FSA with about $2000 in it, so, cool beans, I could afford it.

Fast forward to today when we get a $700 check in the mail saying that this is all they will cover and my "Amount you owe" was over $6000. Nowhere on the EOB does it say that it is because Animas is out-of-network. I had to find this out by calling Medica. So they ****** up a few ways:

1. Telling ME it was covered 80/20, regardless of the provider, even though I asked SPECIFICALLY if they had a preferred provider.

2. NOT telling Animas that they were not the preferred provider

3. Not providing the reason on the EOB.

I am LIVID. Absolutely pissed off to the point of wanting to throw something. I called and started the appeals process, but I WILL be calling the Attorney General on this one... they know me quite well after Blue Cross tried to deny my newborn because she was born at 11:58pm and they denied the entire labor and delivery bill, when they got the bill for those two minutes.

OMG!! Why does this **** have to be so ****ed HARD. If Medica had said, WHEN I CALLED THEM TO ASK THIS VERY QUESTION, that their preferred prodiver was Minimed, I would have been A-OK with it. Now, two weeks into having the pump, I need to KNOW if this is going to be covered.

[insert lots of loud swearing here]

I don't need this right now. I am full-time in college at 33 with two kids and an unemployed husband. I'm plenty stressed already, thanks! GRRRRR!!

notme
09-18-2009, 01:15 PM
I am a bit surprised Animas didn't contact you and let you know what your share would be before you got your pump. When I got my pump, the pump company called me a let me know what my deductible was and wanted to know if I wanted to continue with the purchase.

I think you may still may be able to return your pump and get one from your preferred provider.

I would definitely be angry also. I do think that patients should have a choice.

telizas
09-18-2009, 01:51 PM
They did indeed contact me. Both Animas and Minimed were told by Medica that my out of pocket would be approx $900 or 20%. That, to me, gave me the choice, since both Animas and I got the same info about coverage.

butterflykisses
09-18-2009, 02:22 PM
You got to love those insurance companies! I had the same thing happen to me when I got the Cozmo. Because Smiths was out of network I had to go through...a supply company I can't remember at the moment? Of course this company had verified my insurance, told me how much it would be out of pocket, etc, etc. So it takes my insurance company a good...6 months? to pay the claim. At that point they say that this supply company is out of network, unless its in the same state I'm in! So, instead of it being 80/20 it was 70/30, with a higher "out of network" deductible, that didn't go towards my yearly out of pocket limit. <sigh> They of course never mention this little bit of information at the time of the approval process. GRRRR! Make sure you get information from Animas about how they went about verifying coverage, etc. They wouldn't send a pump unless they thought they were going to get paid at least most of the cost. It really sounds likes an insurance scam to me. I hope it works out for you. So infuriating! So sorry its putting a damper on your new pump. :(

Park
09-18-2009, 02:30 PM
insurance companies are scum bags.

Joeprep4820
09-18-2009, 03:37 PM
I received my Cozmo my senior year of college. My parents covered the deductible which was around $180 if I remember correctly. When I get a new one in a few years my insurance covers an equal amount. No problems at all with payments.

telizas
09-19-2009, 10:16 AM
er... I'm glad it went so well for you Joe. :confused:

I have to wait til Monday to speak to someone at Animas. Way to start the weekend, eh?

And no, of course, I'm worried they won't cover my supplies either...