THEIR RULES, OUR PAIN
Real stories of people trampled by the insurance companies
"I am a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker, retired certified chemical dependency counselor, and still active RN in the mental health field. I had two situations in which an insurance procurer provided insurance with ‘no pre-existing clause’ to the non-profit organization where I worked. Shortly after my coverage started—after four months of paying a premium—my cataracts, which can grow fast or slow, made a leap in growth and had to be removed. After I had cataract surgery, even though coverage had been confirmed by my doctor and by me separately, the insurance company refused to cover the surgeries, claiming the cataracts were a pre-existing condition.
Later I had a severe gall bladder attack and needed surgery. Again the insurance company refused to pay claiming it was a pre-existing condition. That was a surprise to my own doctor.
Those are the worst of my personal stories, but as a healthcare professional I have witnessed many such tragic situations.”
What are the insurance companies not cheap about? Find out in this week’s Foul Play.
Read other stories in the "Their Rules, Our Pain" archive.
LATEST SCORECARD
Fifty-eight percent of primary care doctors in the U.S. report their patients often have difficulty paying for medications and care, and half of U.S. doctors spend substantial time dealing with restrictions insurance companies place on their patients’ care, according to the 2009 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey.
LEARN MORE
Families saw their premiums for job-based health insurance rise to an average of $13,375 annually in 2009, with workers paying an average share of $3,515 and employers paying $9,860.
LEARN MORE
