by vlselz » Wed Apr 07, 2010 04:13 pm
husband was laid off. Cobra mailed us papers but before we paid the bill the agent told us to wait til Obama healthcare help went thru. When the subsidized amount with thru the agent told me my price for myself and my family it was going to cost us 147.64 a month. When the bill came later it was actually for 334.25 When I called to ask why the amount changed I asked that they pull the recorded phone call with myself and the ins. agent to see what she really quoted me thinking that would help and they'd give it to me for that price. They pulled the tapes, and said that I was correct that the agent did tell me it would cost family plus me $147.64 a month but that the agent was wrong and the bill they sent me after that was the correct info and to pay that. Is there anything I can do for them lying to me?
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 04:51 pm Post Subject:
I doubt that anything can be done. However, this guy is a baffoon. The health care bill won't go into full effect for another 4 years to effect the overall costs of premiums for anyone.
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 04:57 am Post Subject:
Yo Trench...the "buffoon" comment might be a tad premature. I can see a number of reasons why this could have gone south, most likely just poor communication.
My feeling is that the initial quote that you received (that was incorrect) was the quote for an individual and not your whole family, as that's about the right amount (with the subsidy) for an individual premium cost. The amount you eventually were told to pay is likely the subsidized premium amount for the whole family, because that amount sounds about right, too.
As far as the "Obama Health care" thing, I believe the agent was referring to the health care legislation Obama got moving as part of Economic Relief Act that subsidized COBRA premiums. This is where the the Fed. gubmint contributes 65% of your COBRA premium as a subsidy to you, the taxpayer on COBRA. You pay the other 35%.
InsTeacher 8)
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 05:11 am Post Subject:
Yes the Obama thing I was talking about was for the 65/35 subsidy on premiums. Funny thing is when I asked the manager where the rep got that price of $147.67 if it was just for myself and not my family she said she wasn't sure and that it was not the price of indv plan. I think she must have pulled the number out of her tush =). I'm going to pay the bill either way because even the 334 they want is still better than the 900 and some they wanted w/o the subsidy. I was just trying to see if this was binding for them at all seeing that I went to a very expensive dr appointment the next day. Her price was the reason I finally said yes and also got the dental plan along with that plan. Like i said either way i'm kinda stuck with it, because the amount of the dr's bills I will get hit with for having no ins at time of service. Catch 22 :). Thank you guys!
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