Sorry, this is so long but this whole situation is strange.
So I mentioned some time ago that it took me from November to February to be enrolled in Medicare Part B because I had been previously insured under my hubby's policy and even though I submitted all the correct forms (including one from his employer) they continued to claim I hadn't had insurance when I turned 65. After many calls and a letter from my insurance company claiming I was insured I was finally enrolled.
I was happy when I read that Medicare covers annual "wellness checks" so last week I went to my doctor for a blood test to start my physical. His assistant told me at the time that I needed to call my insurance company (UHC) and let them know he should be listed as my Primary Care Physician. Not wanting to deal with someone at an 800 number, I went on the site and searched for his name. It was not listed in 31 pages of General Practitioners within my 5 mile radius. So, I then did a search and his name came up. I clicked on it and looked for some prompt to add him as my PCP but none was available.
I called UHC on Monday, explained the situation, and sat on the phone for 50 minutes because the gentleman I spoke with couldn't find a way to make my doctor my PCP. At first he couldn't even FIND my doctor on their site. He then found him and even tried to manually add him but could not. He said there was a "technical issue". He called both my doctor's office, who indicated he was in-network, and another department who was "level 2". At the 50-minute point he came back on the phone and said it was done.
I saw my doctor today for my results and relayed the story. He thanked me for pushing for this and told me that UHC had clearly taken his name off the list to push other doctors within their network. I also shared my Medicare story and he said his wife went through the same experience and he literally had to lie for her to get her enrolled. I've been going to my doctor for years. I like him. We are similar in age and he is thorough during my visits. He knows my health history. It is a shame an insurance company would try to steer someone elsewhere.
In short, I view our healthcare system as a mess due to greed and bureaucracy. It needs an overhaul, but I don't think that will happen in my lifetime. Thanks for letting me vent.
So I mentioned some time ago that it took me from November to February to be enrolled in Medicare Part B because I had been previously insured under my hubby's policy and even though I submitted all the correct forms (including one from his employer) they continued to claim I hadn't had insurance when I turned 65. After many calls and a letter from my insurance company claiming I was insured I was finally enrolled.
I was happy when I read that Medicare covers annual "wellness checks" so last week I went to my doctor for a blood test to start my physical. His assistant told me at the time that I needed to call my insurance company (UHC) and let them know he should be listed as my Primary Care Physician. Not wanting to deal with someone at an 800 number, I went on the site and searched for his name. It was not listed in 31 pages of General Practitioners within my 5 mile radius. So, I then did a search and his name came up. I clicked on it and looked for some prompt to add him as my PCP but none was available.
I called UHC on Monday, explained the situation, and sat on the phone for 50 minutes because the gentleman I spoke with couldn't find a way to make my doctor my PCP. At first he couldn't even FIND my doctor on their site. He then found him and even tried to manually add him but could not. He said there was a "technical issue". He called both my doctor's office, who indicated he was in-network, and another department who was "level 2". At the 50-minute point he came back on the phone and said it was done.
I saw my doctor today for my results and relayed the story. He thanked me for pushing for this and told me that UHC had clearly taken his name off the list to push other doctors within their network. I also shared my Medicare story and he said his wife went through the same experience and he literally had to lie for her to get her enrolled. I've been going to my doctor for years. I like him. We are similar in age and he is thorough during my visits. He knows my health history. It is a shame an insurance company would try to steer someone elsewhere.
In short, I view our healthcare system as a mess due to greed and bureaucracy. It needs an overhaul, but I don't think that will happen in my lifetime. Thanks for letting me vent.
