Do we want to keep using United Health Care? Seems like Thugary...

[b30830c]

From the NYT...

UnitedHealth has threatened journalists, activists and a doctor with lawsuits, often invoking last year’s murder of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of the company’s health insurance division, to deter negative coverage.

We should NOT be condoning Threats!  

I am starting to look for another Supplemental Plan... As we have many choices for the exact same coverage and I personally will not pay for companies to act in a threatening manner.   -Bill 

[HawaiiGeiko]

Today, my Safeway pharmacy could not get a UHC authorization to pay for my flu shot, saying that UHC's server was "down" or something similar.  Got on chat with UHC and got the runaround for an hour, with them telling me to 1) go to another pharmacy, 2) ask the pharmacy to get on a conference call with their team so they could authorize payment, or 3) for me to call them (UHC) before the appointment to get their ok (aka permission), then pay for the shot myself and file a claim.  I asked them why this is happening when I've never had problems before and they just kept telling me how to get the shot.  So I told them that it was interesting that they were not answering my question, and I called it quits.  Definitely going to start looking around.

[SereneSeagull]

Yes, agree.  I found an app the other day that gives consumers a way to see the interests and donations a  given company, retailer, organization, consumer product company etc… supports, thereby allowing that person to see if their interests lie with them or not.  

Freedom of choice for sure.  Hope you find a supplement plan that aligns with your beliefs.  The power of your convictions is a great message.

[b30830c]

Can you provide the name of that app?  Sounds interesting to help me Vote with my Dollars!  -Bill 

[SereneSeagull]

Hi, there’s a few I looked at, but this one piqued my curiosity,  the app is called, Goods Unite Us   I haven’t gotten it yet, so can’t provide an opinion.  Looked pretty cool from first glance on the App Store.

[GailL1]

@b30830c wrote. . . . I am starting to look for another Supplemental Plan... As we have many choices for the exact same coverage and I personally will not pay for companies to act in a threatening manner.   -Bill 

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If you are talking about an AARP UHC Medicare Supplemental plans - Medigap -

Go for it -

• as long as you are in a state where you can change insurers without underwriting
• or you can pass underwriting without the new insurer adding on an extra premium amount
• or not have some pre-existing exclusion attached to it for a few months that causes you problems with getting costly care for this condition.  

You can change at anytime.  Good Luck

[CBtoo]

And of course the other issue is accurate medical records with accurate coding.

I have called UHC's underwriting 4 times so far and each time I learn of new medical visits and diagnosis codes that will fail me. So far all of them have been wrong.

BUT to fi it you will be jumping through a lot of burning hoops. The wrong diagnosis code needs changed. Then billing needs to submit a correction medicare billing. They will only fix them for a 5 year look back (but then again medical under writing only looks back 5 years for some things, 3 for others).

If you fail medical underwriting you can either appeal (either because there was nothing to fix and they screwed up or after you fix stuff) or file again after you have fixed problems. 

Your medicare EOB's do NOT list the diagnosis codes that you will need to go through (and google is your friend here to find out what they mean). There is a different medicare url that will get you this stuff (and your meds). At the moment I can't find where I saved it - will post it here when I do.

Getting things fixed I believe is something from a horror movie nightmare. 

[TRL1111]

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@CBtoo wrote:

Getting things fixed I believe is something from a horror movie nightmare. 

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You've mentioned this before, and all I can say is that I can't even begin to imagine the nightmare you're living trying to get your records straightened out.  

From what I can tell, it's the providers who are entering the wrong diagnosis codes, is that correct?  And you're failing underwriting because UHC thinks you have conditions that you don't actually have?  I'm guessing it would be the same for any supplement company because they all use the same medical records.  Which is not excusing UHC at all, or actually, any of the supplement companies.  Underwriting decisions are based on people's medical records, and if the records are wrong (through absolutely no fault of the Medicare beneficiary), it's up to the beneficiary to straighten it out?

What a horrible situation you're dealing with.  And the old, "I'm healthy so I can pass underwriting" applies only if your records are accurate.  And if they're not, who knows what the stress of trying to get them straightened out is liable to give someone a stroke.  Great.

[CBtoo]

Actually the doctors don't enter the diagnosis codes, the medical coders do. They are supposed to go by what the doctor says you are at the visit for, but sometimes there is little correlation between the two I am finding. Sloppy coding and perhaps purposeful up coding.

[Winter2025VA]

Bill @b30830c , the way I see it at age 67 = AARP is going to continue to do things THEIR WAY & those of us who DONOT LIKE "their way" have the option of leaving.

There are ALWAYS "pros & cons" in life, NOT just with AARP.

Take care,

Nicole!

➡️[*** 

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BILL @b30830c wrote:

From the NYT...

UnitedHealth has threatened journalists, activists and a doctor with lawsuits, often invoking last year’s murder of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of the company’s health insurance division, to deter negative coverage.

We should NOT be condoning Threats!  

I am starting to look for another Supplemental Plan... As we have many choices for the exact same coverage and I personally will not pay for companies to act in a threatening manner.   -Bill 

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