Always appeal insurance denials: they deny things knowing % won't appeal. I know this because whistleblower @WendellPotter is 1 of my #Healthcare Heroes. content.time.com/time/politics/…
I'm badly battered by multiple insurance appeals, but "won" them all. Tips: 1) Partner up, esp if you're sick. You can hand the phone to anyone you want. But if you want someone to be able to call in your place, ask company to send you form so you can designate a spokesperson.
2) Tweet or Fb-post your complaint to your insurer: "I get @Aetna insurance thru work & they just denied coverage of the med that lets me work," for ex. The customer service reps who respond to social media are BETTER than the ones who answer the phone, & you're not on hold.
SocMedia insurance customer reps will send you email, asking for specifics. This means all your contacts w/ the company are in writing AND you form a relationship with a real person! @Aetna does not deserve Nicole & when my appeal was over, I wrote to them & said so. She's great.
3) Take notes. 4) Know your rights. If you don't have a printout of your contract, call # on your card & ask them for the URL. Read the section on appeals. 5) If you need the approval to stay well, enlist help. If you're covered thru work, ask your HR office to contact insurer.
Log into your state's Bureau of Insurance site & file a complaint. Staff investigate complaints for free & have contacts inside companies.
Google #healthcare advocacy orgs in your area. (#ACA funds some. Thanks #Obama!)
Google #healthcare advocacy orgs in your area. (#ACA funds some. Thanks #Obama!)
Keep the pressure on the company. Ask for a date when the decision must be made per your contract. Call back BEFORE that date to check on progress of your appeal. Ask to speak to managers if you're getting a runaround or (hello @Aetna) conflicting info.
The more they talk, the more they make mistakes: We were in the last working hour of the day a decision was due & rep said, "The nurse has the file now." I said, "O, good. And she'll make the decision?" Poor Fool said yes. Contract says decider is prescriber's peer. We won.
.@headsUPmigraine has a public fb page & lots of experienced appeal-winners. If you want some advice, stop by. You don't have to have #migraine to visit. We consider it migraine prevention.
@headsUPmigraine @threadreaderapp unroll
