Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 10:57 AM
Original message |
Well, what a way to wake up. A phone call from a crying, almost hysterical woman... |
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I answer the phone, "G'mornin', this is (me)"
She is crying and very upset. "I need to talk to someone immediately about why you canceled our policy. Nothing has changed, these are our normal...." Anger was definitely in the mix as well.
I interrupted fairly quickly as I could, "Ma'am I believe you've misdialed, this is a residential phone number. What number did you try to dial?"
"Oh, I SO SORRY, our insurance was cut off apparently and I'm at the doctor's office and just found out. I'm so sorry, I'll dial again. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
Now she's crying. All of 1.5 minutes on the phone and I heard despair, anger, and tears.
Does anyone think the government could really do anything worse?
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peacetalksforall
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:03 AM
Response to Original message |
1. I learn so much from graphs and comparisons. Where can I go to see a |
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Edited on Mon Nov-02-09 11:04 AM by peacetalksforall
statistic on number of people being dropped and why? Anyone?
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MadMaddie
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Mon Nov-02-09 09:37 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
36. The Insurance companies aren't putting out statistics |
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it would be the final nail in their coffins.
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Ian David
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:04 AM
Response to Original message |
2. Wow. That poor woman. n/t |
blondeatlast
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:05 AM
Response to Original message |
3. Lots of uninformed or deliberately stupid do, but slowly, most people |
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are seeing that it can work (see: Medicare, the National Parks, Head Start, the interstate highway system, etc.)
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WriteDown
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:06 AM
Response to Original message |
4. Maybe they dropped her policy due to communication issues? |
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If she's dialing local #'s to get ahold of them, I have to wonder.
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Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:10 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
6. Actually BCBS for the state is only one number different than my home number, |
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so if she lives here, she calls a local number. Usually I get calls for the local women's clinic (not a liberal clinic at all, just one of the larger religiously oriented clinics) as it has all the same numbers with just two being inverted. This is the first time I've been called by someone thinking they had BCBS.
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WriteDown
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:20 AM
Response to Reply #6 |
13. I've had local BCBS #'s before, but always dial the 800#... |
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I also always expect an IVR. I think I would be suspicious if a live person just picked up the phone.
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Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #13 |
14. Well, having been the accountant on hand for businesses using BCBS |
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around here, the number to reach someone is a local number, and real people answer the phone.
Since she was in the doctor's office, I imagine they gave her the number they use for BCBS which would be the same one I would call when needing assistance regarding a company's policy.
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rvablue
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
20. What is a "liberal womens' clinic" praytell? Hmm? n/t |
newtothegame
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:34 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
23. Desperate troll searching? Hmm? n/t |
Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #20 |
24. "liberal clinic" = one open to women's personal choice regarding body and pregnancy |
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"not liberal clinic" = clinic that refuses to do abortions, prescribe contraceptives, etc.
Many people hear/read "women's clinic" and automatically think something positive, women oriented, but instead this one is a religious, patriarchal crapfest.
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GillesDeleuze
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Tue Nov-03-09 11:02 AM
Response to Reply #20 |
49. a secular clinic that offers a full range of health services |
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not that i expect them to be using leeches at the religious ones...
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Toasterlad
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:16 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
8. Given the Fact That She Was Obviously Extremely Upset, I Think Her Mis-dialing Is Understandable |
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However, your sympathy is noted.
:eyes:
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gratuitous
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:17 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
11. Hadn't thought of that! |
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Now, in addition to being dropped for pre-existing conditions, because it's a day that ends in "y" or because you're just too big a health risk now that you've turned 30, the insurance companies can drop you if you've ever dialed a wrong number. Genius!
Or maybe it looks a bit too much like blaming the victim? Tough to say.
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HughMoran
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:19 AM
Response to Reply #4 |
12. I'm sure that's the argument the Republicans will use |
sui generis
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:10 AM
Response to Original message |
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We could guarantee your acceptance into the public option but not cap your premium, then fine you when you don't pay, even if you don't use it.
Emotional hot buttons aside, this should be a tax on income, the P.O., should be an agency service, and there should be an opt-out if you already have insurance. If you require medical care in the absence of either your P.O. opt-in, you get assessed a 1098 for the value of services provided and pay the entire amount in taxes or the actual opt-in tax, whichever is more. It's not a fine, it's a catch-up.
This is not hard, until the politicians and their insurance company johns get involved.
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Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:14 AM
Response to Reply #5 |
7. Yep, I guess you have a point. I can't understand it taking more than 20 pages to provide |
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universal health insurance, even though I thought (and still do) that we should be getting universal health CARE, instead of health insurance pseudo-reform.
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Fumesucker
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:17 AM
Response to Reply #7 |
10. It took Canada only 14 pages.. But that was bilingual.. |
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So it was really only 7 pages in English..
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inna
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Tue Nov-03-09 02:06 AM
Response to Reply #5 |
TexasObserver
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:16 AM
Response to Original message |
9. Health insurance is for people who don't need it. |
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Start needing it too much and suddenly, you're not their BFF any more.
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Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:27 AM
Response to Reply #9 |
15. Damned truth, ain't it. Sucks to be us (as in USa) |
jtrockville
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:45 AM
Response to Original message |
16. Uniquely American (USA). |
Brigid
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:50 AM
Response to Original message |
17. Nope. Government couldn't do worse. |
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Edited on Mon Nov-02-09 11:51 AM by Brigid
When I worked at Wellpoint, it was not at all unusual to have people calling in tears. Bring on the "socialized medicine." :grr:
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drm604
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:16 PM
Response to Original message |
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I accidentally clicked unrec! :blush: There needs to be a way to undo that! Can someone please rec to make up for it?
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Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #18 |
19. Yep, I've done that a few times. No worries, if it's worth climbing in the ratings, it will. |
drm604
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:20 PM
Response to Reply #19 |
21. There should be an "Are You Sure" popup for recs and unrecs. n/t |
Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:44 PM
Response to Reply #21 |
25. Good idea. I was thinking a 5 minute "edit" opportunity like the posts have, your's is better. |
OPERATIONMINDCRIME
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:23 PM
Response to Original message |
22. Forgive Me For Not Believing This For A Second. |
Lex
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:44 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
26. And this matters how? |
Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
27. If I hadn't been there myself, I wouldn't believe it either. |
mullard12ax7
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Mon Nov-02-09 04:27 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
28. I bet you rec'd "the Iraq war is over" lies |
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and then you give this poster crap over nothing. How's it feel to be so mighty behind keyboard?
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME
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Mon Nov-02-09 04:49 PM
Response to Reply #28 |
29. Ummmmmm, You're Talking About What Now? |
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:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
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Dora
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Mon Nov-02-09 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
31. There'd be no need to ask for forgiveness if you didn't make this post. |
OPERATIONMINDCRIME
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Mon Nov-02-09 05:48 PM
Response to Reply #31 |
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The OP is way too convenient.
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Dora
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Mon Nov-02-09 05:58 PM
Response to Reply #33 |
35. That's a handy excuse for boorish behavior. nt |
JerseygirlCT
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Mon Nov-02-09 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
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I used to work at a place that was one digit off the IRS phone number. We'd get upset calls all the time. (And never offered tax advice!)
And for years, my cell got calls from people desperately looking for someone who wasn't me...
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME
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Mon Nov-02-09 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #32 |
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Sorry, I don't believe everything I read. In this case, the OP seems too contrived and convenient.
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w4rma
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Mon Nov-02-09 10:05 PM
Response to Reply #34 |
37. Wouldn't you feel bad if it were all true, operationmindcrime? Or would you? (nt) |
Better Today
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Mon Nov-02-09 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #37 |
38. It is all true. I didn't expect that posting it would be in the least bit controversial. |
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I can't imagine what anyone thinks I would gain from a post like this. If a mod wants to know my number, the BCBS number, and even the women's clinic number for verification, where I can still remain anonymous, I'll be happy to do it.
That being said, it was very surreal while it was happening, I understand a certain amount of skepticism as I was experiencing it and just shaking my head. Like I said, I've gotten calls thinking I'm the women's clinic because it is just two numbers inverted; but I've never before gotten a call intended for BCBS. It was surreal, no doubt.
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME
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Mon Nov-02-09 10:43 PM
Response to Reply #38 |
40. I'll Give You The Benefit Of The Doubt. My Humble Apologies. |
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Too often, people make shit up here just to be able to post something about their pet topic. Your story just seemed to convenient and unlikely, but you seem genuine enough so I retract my statements and offer my full apology.
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w4rma
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Mon Nov-02-09 11:48 PM
Response to Reply #40 |
Better Today
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Tue Nov-03-09 02:10 AM
Response to Reply #40 |
zonkers
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Tue Nov-03-09 02:08 AM
Response to Reply #34 |
renegade000
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Mon Nov-02-09 10:35 PM
Response to Reply #22 |
39. doesn't seem so far-fetched |
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For years we had people calling our residential phone number who were trying to reach Kaiser Permanente. Some of them would be somewhat emotional, trying desperately to figure out what to do about their broken-leg, etc.
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donheld
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Tue Nov-03-09 12:28 AM
Response to Reply #22 |
42. We'll if OMC says isn't believing it then he must be right |
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After all he is knower of all. :eyes:
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LeftishBrit
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Mon Nov-02-09 04:59 PM
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barbtries
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Tue Nov-03-09 10:30 AM
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barbtries
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Tue Nov-03-09 10:30 AM
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kenny blankenship
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Tue Nov-03-09 10:48 AM
Response to Original message |
48. Could it do worse than to chain people to same these bloodsucking insurance co.s 'til death? |
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Edited on Tue Nov-03-09 11:05 AM by kenny blankenship
That's about as bad as can be presently imagined. But give it time. It will be sure to do its level best to surpass that.
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