The short story is that there's nothing definitive to report.
I did speak with the insurance company customer "care" people (now, isn't *that* an oxymoron?!). While they were nice enough, they claimed to have no notice of the situation (neither she nor her supervisor). The supervisor said that "typically" if a woman is so close to her due date, the insurer would still treat the hospital as in network. They wouldn't put it in writing though.
I also sent an email to the negotiating VP for the insurance company. Not surprisingly, I've gotten no response to that (though it didn't get bumped back either).
My OB 's office believes it's just, as Betty said, a corporate pissing match and that they're telling patients not to panic. All well and good except that they're not the ones faced with a $10K hospital bill if it doesn't work out. I was unable to confirm whether he does still also deliver at UConn or not.
My state legislator forwarded my stuff to "the appropriate lobbyist" to ask for help. Haven't heard anything further.
John's spoken with the insurance agent who says that, as long as we decide in the next week or so, we should be able to switch insurance carriers and he's getting quotes. The problem with that is that it means not just switching *us* but switching his entire office - which isn't really fair to the others in the office. The agent did feel that it was likely that this was just posturing for negotiation and, even if the contract talks failed, it was likely I'd be covered still under the principal of continuity of care.
So... how's that for a bunch of "up in the air"?! Some heartening info - but it's all so vague and no one will commit to anything. Argh!!!
The one thing I've discovered is that most people hate health insurance companies. Frankly, I think they ought to be non-profits. Because as long as there is money to be made, there is a fairly strong conflict of interest there. Just MHO!
4 comments:
Having gone through our sagas with getting Dan insured, I agree with you 100% that they should be nonprofit.
I do certainly hope some arrangement is made BEFORE this little person comes!! You are having a girl right?
Talk about not talking about anything...Posturing at it's best, the health care issus is real to us middle class folks! Give 'em hell and document EVERY phone call and letter!
Sorry about the lost link...that is the little girl who was "abandoned" in a taxi cab by someone who said that they were going to the payphone and did not come back. It was on the news and I must find the link, which was in the New York Times.
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