So, 2 weeks ago, my father passed away from Esophageal cancer. Along with horrible grief, we are dealing with so much financial and legal red tape.
Here’s a little back ground:
My dad was diagnosed in February. He went on FMLA from his company that he had been with for 40 years. After 6 months, they would not hold his job and he was forced into early retirement at age 63. He retired 3 weeks before he died.
We have been able to do all of the investigative work for the life insurance and retirement. It was a pain but I think it’s well on it’s way. The issue we are having is with the health insurance.
According to blue cross/blue shield, my mom and dad ran out of insurance on September 8th. My dad purchased a hefty plan through cobra to continue his coverage on September 24th. He paid the deductible for policy in full and paid the first month’s payment which was supposed to be retroactive for the month of September. Dad died on September 26th....That’s 2 days after he paid the policy.
Cobra was supposed to notify blue/cross blue shield but they say they have absolutely no record of that and not only does my dad not have coverage from when he was rushed to 2 different hospitals but my mom doesn’t have coverage either. It’s noteworthy that he might not have coverage, because BCBS has no record of it, between the 8-24th... I have all of the bills, paper work and statements that say plain as day that they are paid up.
In the interim, I set up coverage for my mom through Obama care since cobra is meant for short term, continuing coverage anyways. It’s also, a much better plan for her. I’m Itching to get rid of the cobra plan but I’m scared of how it will negatively effect the hospital coverage or any billing done in the month of September for my dad.
None of these companies are talking to each other. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve spent 5/6 hours a day on the phone and have spoken to about 35 different people with 35 different answers.
The last person I spoke to said that I have to call the group to light a fire on getting that Information to blue cross blue shield. She suspected that my dad purchased the plan through cobra as a retiree and they haven’t even sent that info over much less any info that he’s deceased.
I think the problem is that Dad’s death came so fast that the ink has not dried on any platform... his company, the retirement, the cobra or insurance.
We just received a bill for 33k from one hospital and the lady at blue cross/blue shield said there’s already 3 denied claims in his file. One is for 18k!!!!
My dad was a hard working, working class guy that made ends meet but was faaaaaaaaar from wealthy. My mom is only 61 and is a self employed Hairstylist in a neighborhood salon and is lucky to bring home $300 a week. She has no retirement or pension, nor does she have access to insurance through her work.
My parents have always paid their bills and have done the right thing. So, this is killing my mom on top of grieving for her husband.
We are seeing a financial advisor but I’m not sure if these questions have anything to do with him... (truth be told, I don’t even know if this is the subreddit I should post on...)
Any anecdotes or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Submitted October 12, 2019 at 09:06PM by ambercrowemua https://ift.tt/2VEjyMF
