My cancelled health insurance story

So I had surgery in January on my neck and I've been out on disability. I've been filling out reams of paperwork for the last 10 months to continue getting the dough etc. Well, last week I got a couple notices from my insurance that indicated certain medical bills were not covered which seemed wierd so I called them. Seems I needed to fill out extension forms.

I told them, "I never received any notice of this" and they said, "Oh, we don't send a notice. You're supposed to know all about it." I'm not sure how I'm supposed to know it but okay.

So today I had to drive to the Union office in San Jose. I hate going to SJ - there's never any parking near the office and the traffic sucks. I forgot which exit to take and had to backtrack. So I was not too happy when I arrived.

I filled out my paperwork and gave it to the woman with my note from my doctor. She looks it over and tells me, "Okay, I'll send it in. They're probably going to deny it so you'll have to appeal."

I said, "Why would they deny it?" She tells me that there's a 60 day period to get an extension in and if you don't do it by then, it's denied. Makes no sense. Why don't they automatically send you a notice when it's time for an extension? Which is what disability does. They ask if you're still disabled and give you a form to send in if you are. I would think that would make more sense.

So now I've wasted half a day to do something that's no doubt going to be denied and I'll have to jump through a bunch more hoops when it is. At least I have insurance, though, even if I do have to go through a lot of hassle. I sure feel sorry for those who don't.

Just needed to vent.

I got the impression that this was standard operating procedure. When it is accepted, it will be retroactive and I think it probably will be accepted after appeal. I've spoken to all my docs in regards to it and they are not worried about getting paid so that's okay. It's just the hassle and the inefficiency that gets to me. I hate inefficiency - it's one of my major pet peeves.

However, if it isn't accepted on appeal, I will certainly do just that.