Why isn't my Medicare supplemental insurance paying anything on my medical bills?

[debodun]

I have United Healthcare as a Medigap plan. Medicare pays for some and I have met my deductible for the year. I am receiving medical bills for my eye surgeries and UC hasn't payed anything on them.

 

[caroln]

A lot times I have found that medical bills are sent out prior to being paid by Medicare but will show the supplemental insurance has paid their share. Medicare is just slow.

 

[Happy Heart]

Be patient, sometimes there is a lag between when the bills are sent and paid.

 

[debodun]

A lot times I have found that medical bills are sent out prior to being paid by Medicare but will show the supplemental insurance has paid their share. Medicare is just slow.

I meant that Medicare pays some, but so far when it shows the amount paid by my supplemental plan, it shows $0.

 

[Disgustedman]

Sometimes the doctors office will send them to you in hopes YOU call up your plan and raise hell, or they were rejected for not documenting it and instead, try to get the money from you.

 

[Happy Heart]

Sometimes, they also hope to collect from both as experience has taught me.

 

[caroln]

As Disgustedman said, the charges may have been rejected. Sometimes they "code" the procedures incorrectly and then the paperwork has to go through the whole process again. Normally if Medicare approves the charge and has paid, your supplemental insurance will also approve.

 

[Knight]

I meant that Medicare pays some, but so far when it shows the amount paid by my supplemental plan, it shows $0.

Rather than question here if it were me I'd email the insurer and get a written reply. Then I'd post here, explain the problem I had & how I resolved it.

 

[Gemma]

Call your healthcare provider and inquire. Especially ask if they are trying to collect the difference through balance billing , which is illegal. Your provider should be able to handle this issue for you once you bring it to their attention.

 

[caroln]

Call your healthcare provider and inquire. Especially ask if they are trying to collect the difference through balance billing , which is illegal. Your provider should be able to handle this issue for you once you bring it to their attention.

Very good point.

 

[Kika]

I had the same issue during my husband's hospitalization. When I called I was told that I had to inform Medicare of his AARP United Health Care medical supplement so a code could be implemented. That code would allow the claim to "crossover" and be paid automatically. I made sure to do that when I enrolled for myself.

 

[Gary O']

I am receiving medical bills for my eye surgeries and UC hasn't payed anything on them.

What type of eye surgeries?

Call your healthcare provider and inquire

Yup
United was quite good in responding and following up phone calls

But, I changed over to another after shopping.
They were charging waaaay too much

Rather than question here if it were me I'd email the insurer and get a written reply.

Always good to have hard copy
.

 

[debodun]

What type of eye surgeries?

I had three surgeries this year for retinal detachment. Bills for doctor visits, supplemental tests and hospitalization.

 

[Jules]

I had three surgeries this year for retinal detachment. Bills for doctor visits, supplemental tests and hospitalization.

I hadn’t realized it was three surgeries. That must be a huge bill.

 

[debodun]

Yes, June 28th, August 16 and Nov 1. The OR fee itself for each procedure was almost $15K! I wouldn't mind if one of them had been successful.