Disputed bill
I'm having problems with Blue Shield of California with bills. Basically I'm "past due" and I disagree with the bill but need to know where I stand legally - or at least prevent the debt collectors knocking on my door.
Back in May they were sent their form, complete with payment information for the first month's dues. Now, received a couple of days ago in late June, they've sent a bill saying we didn't pay the previous bill, even though we never received a bill from them until now. Of course, the bill now includes payment for next month, which I'm canceling as the coverage from Kaiser kicks in on July 1st. So my bill is around $3,500 - inflated 20% by lack of proof of prior credible coverage (sent in May) and lack of a physician's report (sent 2 weeks ago). I'm not sure how much difference the report would make but the agent said "significant". Despite the kids' coverage starting on June 1st, we didn't get their ID cards until June 16th, and have only received one policy document just a couple of days ago. I've sent them a snottogram pointing out all of their failings to date, and re-submitted all the evidence they already have. I have offered to pay a smaller amount as a deposit until the bill is agreed. I've sent it by certified mail. Is there anything else I can do? |
Re: Disputed bill
You mentioned an agent. Get them to follow up. I had an issue with homeowners insurance, not health, and they got it sorted easy. They may have "inside contacts". If it is SNAFU and you are in the right, that is!
I was most surprised that the agent was actually useful.:fingerscrossed: |
Re: Disputed bill
Presume you are talking about a bill for the premiums and that you have not claimed anything on the policy.
I have just changed my policy (still with same company though) and in the blurb at the front of the Policy document it states: Right of Examination: The policyholder may return this Policy to xxxxx Life Insurance company at the address shown below within 10 days after the date of delivery if not satisfied. if the Policyholder returns this Policy, it will be void from its effective date and any premiums paid will be returned. This provision or the fact of its existence will not be sued to defeat or reduce any other rights of the Policyholder. If you have only received the Policy within the last few days then you should return it as per the clause above - as long as you can find this clause in your policy. This will at least give you something concrete to work with. Good luck |
Re: Disputed bill
a premium is not a bill.
you prepay insurance.... how can it go to collection or be past due. once the premium if any wasn't paid, then coverage would cease and policy cancelled. |
Re: Disputed bill
Originally Posted by Manc
(Post 10138789)
a premium is not a bill.
you prepay insurance.... how can it go to collection or be past due. once the premium if any wasn't paid, then coverage would cease and policy cancelled. Subscriber now only needs to inform Blue Shield of his wish to cancell policy and since he has only just received ID cards, and Policy document he should be able to do so without too many problems. |
Re: Disputed bill
Originally Posted by RICH
(Post 10138767)
You mentioned an agent. Get them to follow up.
Originally Posted by SanDiegogirl
(Post 10138779)
Presume you are talking about a bill for the premiums and that you have not claimed anything on the policy.
I have just changed my policy (still with same company though) and in the blurb at the front of the Policy document it states: Right of Examination: The policyholder may return this Policy to xxxxx Life Insurance company at the address shown below within 10 days after the date of delivery if not satisfied. if the Policyholder returns this Policy, it will be void from its effective date and any premiums paid will be returned. This provision or the fact of its existence will not be sued to defeat or reduce any other rights of the Policyholder. If you have only received the Policy within the last few days then you should return it as per the clause above - as long as you can find this clause in your policy. This will at least give you something concrete to work with. Good luck
Originally Posted by Manc
(Post 10138789)
a premium is not a bill.
you prepay insurance.... how can it go to collection or be past due. once the premium if any wasn't paid, then coverage would cease and policy cancelled. |
Re: Disputed bill
Oh, and no I haven't claimed anything. Though we did have to go to the docs, we weren't able to claim as we didn't have ID cards... total about $100 IIRC, and I am willing to swallow that if we can cancel without any charges!
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Re: Disputed bill
Typical. Just phoned them again, ignored all the menu options, not that the automated menus could understand me half the time anyway, got through to a human, and got the policies canceled "never effective", with confirmation numbers, in less than 5 minutes. Just shows how a different person can yield an entirely different result.
Interesting thing is, apparently I *was* set up for automatic billing. It's definitely not what the statements say though. Thanks for the help anyway! Much appreciated. |
Re: Disputed bill
Wish I could be more surprised, but working for an insurance company this all sounds familiar. There are reasons this stuff happens - ancient mainframes that don't talk to each other or to front end systems, etc. Usually once you get through to a human being they are helpful and can fix things, but it's very common for first bills to be completely incorrect.
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Re: Disputed bill
Son's policy arrived today. :rolleyes:
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