A WHINY COLLEGE PROFESSOR POSTED THE FOLLOWING ON LINKEDIN:
“Stanford University moved its health insurance from California Blue Shield to Aetna. It is now January 9, and I have yet to receive a card showing my member number, which is the evidence of coverage virtually every pharmacy and medical provider demands in order to get service.”
“I am told Aetna will mail the cards tomorrow, 10 days after the start of the year. Incompetent! As this article, and almost any Google search under the company’s name, reveals, Aetna and its brethren, Anthem, Inc., UnitedHealth Group, and the other third party administrators have horrific customer service and provide an awful member experience–and in their denial of coverage and claims, actually harm people’s health. The problem is that employers often just try to mitigate problems rather than holding these vendors accountable. No wonder health care in the U.S. costs so much while outcomes are bad.“
“I have yet to receive a card showing my member number, which is the evidence of coverage virtually every pharmacy and medical provider demands in order to get service.”
Not true.
Getting “service” is never contingent upon having proof of insurance. Health insurance is by definition a reimbursement scheme, not a point-of-service free interest finance loan.
There’s not a provider on the planet who won’t accept cash. 80-90% of all medical encounters cost less than $200.
If you absolutely have to have point-of-service financing use your credit card then file a claim for reimbursement.
Patience is a virtue.
