Come on, am I the only one who hates Health Insurance issues. It is a constant shuffling from one touch-tone to another. Then you get through the gauntlet of menu options in the most logical order only to find an operator who can't operate, but can transfer you to...click.
You call back and dial through the menu hoping to get Jay who just cut you off for "transferring you to billing", only to talk with Pam who tells you there is no other billing department, and that she can help with anything I need. (thanks Jay)
Our policy was recently bought out by another company. The new company told us that the contract (no not a contract with me), the contract between the old company, with which I already satisfied my deductible, and the new company who is graciously giving me deductible credit over the last three months. Of course, the deductible satisfied, the money we've paid over the last three months has been only a small portion, ugh!
And they can't even tell me how much has been applied from my deductible, because that hasn't been updated in their system. I could try back at the end of the week. BUT on a scale of 1-10 she wouldn't even posit a number of the chances that it will be there. You see, "THEY're" fixing it. "THEY'll" let her know when it's up and running. So I asked, "Who's They?" Can I have their phone number. Since they're the only ones who have the key to the gate I need to pass?
Nope. she can't give me a number because they don't talk to customers. They're only accessible through the system or via email. AHA! "I'll take their e-mail address please."
Nope. She can't give that out. "Well, Pam, could you e-mail them on behalf of me, please?" Please hold.
(Sure the old "Please Hold" trick. Put me on hold, and wait for the little red light next to the holding line is extinguished because you've beaten me, worn me down, and avoided the hassle.)
Nope. The little red light is calling to you Pam. It's whispering, "this guy isn't going anywhere." Oh yeah, he's got a boat load of rollover minutes and he'll use each and every one to..."
"Yes, I'm still here."
She e-mailed them, takes my phone number and as soon as she gets a reply she'll call me. (Sure)
"Thanks Pam. I know that you have nothing to do with this, but I'm sure you can understand what a disadvantage I've been put in because of this contract. Well, thank you for your time."
The only thing that could be worse is if it were a government employee. Hillary Healthcare '08 anyone?
--Ben
1 comment:
I'm sure it was totally frustrating, but for what its worth, Pam actually sounded like she was really helpful, all things considered.
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