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August 19, 2005
Thank you, drive through
I am defeated. Prior to this week I have moved through life confident in the assertion that, when it comes to dealing with both people and companies, misunderstandings can be resolved, problems can be fixed, and, with perserverence and courtesty, everything can be worked out. But today I am not so sure that this is the case. American Airlines -- more specifically, a bitchy stewardess in their employ -- whisked away my carry-on baggage on Monday and I haven't seen it since. I call, I wait, I call, I wait, and yet my suitcase (which containins 90% of my wearable clothes as well as my favorite pink suede kitten heels) has yet to appear on my doorstep. Tomorrow my baggage gets reclassified from "misplaced" to "lost" and I get to start the claim process.
More discouragingly, though, today my former insurance company, Empire Blue Cross, informed me that they are, after much thought, denying my claim for services from this February. They don't seem to take issue with my surgery itself -- the removal of a fist-sized cyst off of my left ovary which was causing me an almost comically intolerably amount of pain. No, they are denying my claim because I was in the emergency room overnight. That is to say, I went to the ER at 2 p.m., they diagnosed my problem at some point between midnight and 2 a.m., and at 5 a.m. I was taken to surgery. Empire Blue Cross does not think this is acceptable. According to them, having a cyst removed is "outpatient" surgery; since I was in the hospital for more than 24 hours, I was "inpatient." Therefore, no claim will be paid.
Excuse the sentiment, but what the fuck?! I am at a loss. I don't even know how I am supposed to repsond to their reasons. Needless to say, they won't tell me what other information I could provide in order to get them to reconsider. They won't allow me to speak to anyone who makes decisions about accounts who could explain this to me. They won't tell me anything more except to say that I am welcome, and even encouraged, to file a greivance. Splendid.
Anyone with tips on encouraging either disperse and dare I say souless corporate entity to do right by me is encouraged to share them, since I am plum out of ideas!
Posted by Jen at 04:03 PM | Comments (2)