Question:
Is calling the insurance company daily too much?
I feel like I am become a pest, I know that my surgeon's office was supposed to fax the pre-approval Friday. I called several times to the insurance company that day. The last time, I got a rep that was kinda of rude, saying I've already called today, not to call until next week. I know I'm pestering them, but I'm anxious to know if they've received it, and whether they are going to approve it or not. It really annoyed me about how he acted because that was the first time I've talked to him and I get a different person everytime I call, so why would it annoy him that I've called. My question is though, should I just quit calling? Thanks- — Dina M. (posted on March 25, 2002)
March 25, 2002
Trust me, I'm an advocate of people calling the insurance company, however,
if the doctor's office faxed the information on Friday, it's highly
doubtful they've even started to work on it. Wait until Friday and then
call and ask if they've received the information. If they have, you can
then ask them how long it typically takes for an approval. Then call back
a few days before that time and follow up. If they haven't received the
information, contact the doctor's office and ask if they mailed or faxed
the information and get the address and/or fax number of where they sent it
and what day they did it on. Doctor's offices may tell you there going to
send something on a particular day but most of the time that doesn't
happen.
Also, the reason they know you've called is because you give them your
social security number each time you call in and they log in EVERY phone
call on a computer with the reason for your call. That's probably why he
got rude (even though that's no excuse for his behavior).
— Patty H.
March 25, 2002
Hey I havent been approved but the first time I called the insurance
company, I got someone who had no idea what I was talking about. The
second time I called I got a very helpfully lady. (thanks Bobbie). I
asked her if I had any questions if I could request to talke to her and she
said sure. So when I have a question I ask to talk to her, I may have to
wait, but it is worth it. GOOD LUCK
— paulsgirl
March 25, 2002
My surgeons office said that they faxed the request to my insurance company
on 3/14, I called once every other morning to see if it had arrived, never
did, and I was told a different thing by every rep as to how long it should
take to show up on my file. On 3/22 I called again, still no record of the
fax and the rep told me to have the surgeons office fax request again to
her attention. Surgeons office told me they would fax again right after we
got off the phone, and that it was the same fax # she had sent to
originally. I called BCBS again this morning, still no fax received. The
rep I was speaking with personally went over to the desk of the rep it was
supposed to be faxed to, she never got it. I called my surgeons office
again this morning to request it be faxed AGAIN!! Still waiting to hear
back from them to see if it was sent or not. UUUGGGHHHHHH!!!!! I know
exactly what you are going through. I decided I would only call every
other day, that way I am not being too annoying but I can still keep up
with what is (or isn't) going on.
— Maureen C.
March 25, 2002
In my opinion, your insurance rep. was being very inappropriate when he
told you to stop calling. It is your RIGHT to call as often as you d@mn
well please! In fact, it is your responsibility to be annoying with these
people to a point, because insurance companies only make money by losing
paperwork and making you jump hoops. If you are constantly calling, they
will probably move things through more quickly to be rid of your annoyance.
In my case, I'm a very shy person and didn't even call the insurance
company until 6 weeks after my surgeon had faxed my paperwork. "Hmm
... we never got any paperwork," they said. Of course I learned my
lesson and, after my surgeon refaxed the request, followed up with them
immediately to ensure they had received the fax and were working on it. I
called again the next day and the next. Then I was approved. I wish I had
been hyper-vigilant from day one, because it slowed down my surgery date by
6 weeks that I was a shy person!
— Terissa R.
March 25, 2002
Be a pit bull !!! Call everyday. I called almost everyday for 15 months.
After 3 appeals I got the surgery. When you get a rude represenitive get
her name and employee and speak to her supervisor. You can also remind her
that she works there to serve you.
Good Luck
— Robert L.
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