Right now, my boyfriend has to pay for his own health insurance (doesn't have it through work yet). He has Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Anyhow, it's expensive and needless to say it was due July 14 and he didn't have the money to cover it, so he thought he'd just wait until he gets paid on July 30 and pay the late fee...Well Blue Cross sent a letter yesterday saying that it was due July 14 and to please pay or his insurance would be cancelled shortly. Does this make sense? Any other bill you pay late, they just sock on a late fee. Are they really going to cancel him? I mean, we're going to mail it in on the 30th. And what happens if it cancels and then he sends a check? I just don't want any pending claims he's got in, to not get paid. Ugh - I hate insurance companies..especially Blue Cross. Do you think maybe this is just their warning to scare us?
I would think that they're pretty serious about cancelling his insurance. But you also don't know what they mean when they say it will be cancelled "shortly". That could mean 1 day or one month.
What I would do is call the company and ask them when you have to have the payment in before it gets cancelled. I would say that the 30th is only a few days away, you're pretty safe. However, I would call just to be on the safe side. Don't tell that you have no intention of paying until the thirtieth; you just want to know how to send the payment (priority - not like you would, or if regular mail is fine).
Just ask in a round about way. I wouldn't take their threat too lightly though, b/c if it were car insurance they probably wouldn't have even sent a warning!
I agree. Just call and say you are sending the check (you were out of town or something when it came due) and that you wanted to make sure that it wouldn't be cancelled on you while your check was in transit.
does anyone know if we could just put it on a credit card
Typically not. I know it's expensive, but BCBS is *good* individual health insurance...as far as individual health ins. goes, and they are rather particular about who qualifies, so he should do his utmost to not lose that insurance if he can...you really never know when you might need it.
Good luck!
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler
I realize he doesn't get paid until Saturday, but can you send the check on Thursday or Friday? The money just needs to be in his account when they cash the check, not when you drop it in the mail. It would cut down a couple of late days...
I don't really know if I agree anymore that Blue Cross is good health insurance. I kinda think they suck. I had them a couple years ago through work and they were so difficult. I'm a healthy person and anytime I ever went to a doctor, they questioned stuff - and it was through a corporation, not like I was just an individual. Now my BF has them and he recently had some health issues -nothing major - routine tests done and they are taking forever to pay the claims. They send letters for more info like every other day. I just think they are a hassle.
gruiz- i was thinking the same thing - about mailing the check tomorrow or friday. By the time they get it, the money will be in his account. I checked and they don't take credit cards, so that's what we will do, just mail the check. Thanks!
I don't really know if I agree anymore that Blue Cross is good health insurance. I kinda think they suck. I had them a couple years ago through work and they were so difficult. I'm a healthy person and anytime I ever went to a doctor, they questioned stuff - and it was through a corporation, not like I was just an individual. Now my BF has them and he recently had some health issues -nothing major - routine tests done and they are taking forever to pay the claims. They send letters for more info like every other day. I just think they are a hassle.
That's too bad - I used to work for the health insurance dept. of Northwestern Mutual (3 yrs ago) and they were a bear to get on with - they wanted only really healthy individuals - of course! (sarcasm) - but they were one of the best for paying claims and stuff. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with them. :(
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"Good taste shouldn't have to cost anything extra." - Mickey Drexler
shopchicago- i know you work for Bank One- does your boyfriend have his checking through your bank? they have something called "overnight check" if he does and he can send his payment via bankone online banking and billpay. i think it is 25 bucks to do so though- but its an option.
i used to have BCBS insurance that i paid on my own and if i remember correctly it took about 2 days via Bank One online bill pay...