Insurance Nightmare Post-Op

Jan 31, 2009

I was pre-approved with United Health Care.  I got a call from my surgeons office this week that they haven't been paid yet (4+ mos) and that I need to do something about it or I will get the bill (over $40,000)!  I call ed UHC and was told that it had been forwarded to "rapid resolution" and they would have to process it.  It would take 10-14 days.  What????  They've had 4 months to process it!!! WTF???

Now I get daily calls from my surgeons office to see what I have done about this.  Thursday the office manager called and said "please hold for the doctor".  Next thing I knew I was getting a "friendly" lecture on needing to take care of this, the accountant is hounding him to get payment, that I will get the bill, etc. etc.  Double WTF!?!?!  I am not stupid, I don't need the doctor telling me what to do and trying to guilt me into something.  I was pleasant enoough on the phone, but I wanted to SCREAM...F*CK U...I am not some stupid child who needs a "talking to" by a doctor.  Don't talk to me like I'm a moron! 

So after that I was PISSED!!!  I called UHC AGAIN and threatened filing a complaint with the Dept of Labor.  Suddenly my claim is being sent to a different department - complex claims - and that I will get a call back on Tuesday.  I asked to speak to supervisors every time and I was told no, there is no one else to talk to.

I called the Dept of Labor on Thrusday and filed a phone complaint.  They told me they can't really do anything until UHC denies the claim. 

The kicker...every other bill associated with the surgery was paid months ago....the hospital (in network), the radiologist, (in)  the anesthesiologist (out of network), labs (in), etc.  The only unpaid bill is the surgeon (who's out of network).

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