If you want actual results, call the state insurance commissioner, that's what they're there for.

http://www.insurance.wa.gov/

There's a phone number to call or you can file a complaint online.

(Reply) (Thread)

As far as I can tell, the insurance companies are within their rights.

The current insurance commissioner is actually a friend of the family, so if things don't progress there are definitely options available to us.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Last time I checked it was not within their "rights" to lose paperwork or fail to return phone calls regarding medically necessary treatments. If nothing else the threat of an investigation by the commissioner's office tends to at least speed up the system.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

i was trying to write something snarky. i failed. i'll just settle for saying OH FOR FUCK'S SAKE, PEOPLE. FUCK THE FUCK RIGHT OFF. ALL OF YOU PUPPYKICKERS.

(Reply) (Thread)

What health care?

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Yes, this.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

But if we get soviet health care everyone will be sitting in drs offices for hours and doctors wont get paid and people will die for want of health care.

Oh, wait.

(Reply) (Thread)

I recommend showing up henceforth with a lawyer, and routing future correspondence through a lawyer.

(Reply) (Thread)

We have a lawyer. They haven't been much help with the correspondence/communication side of things.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

I was thinking more of Microsoft's legal plan and the whole, "okay, from now on, all this shit goes through a laywer" because that often means the bullshit stops now. They're playing hardball and trying to get away with fraud - very clearly - and so this is a way of sending the message "you don't fucking get to do that" without actually having to be so gauche as to say, "you don't fucking get to do that."

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

And if your lawyer isn't being helpful, that's kind of a problem, because this here is bullshit.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

I will point out that this isn't Other Guy's *Health* Insurance you're dealing with. It's just that insurance people in general would prefer to pay as little money as possible.

(Reply) (Thread)

Well. . . the PIP is underwritten by a health insurance company, so it sort of is. But your point stands.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

I just think of it as a general extension of the fuckmuppetry his car insurance company has been exhibiting all along. Even if we had universal healthcare of some sort I imagine this whole pass-the-buck game would still be happening.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Honestly I really wish you guys had a healthcare system like ours. Don't get me wrong, it's not infallible and there are huge inconsistencies between different areas but at least it's free at source. The only thing you'd be chasing the insurance company for would be damages.

K - I'm so angry that you and Erik are being put through this! I hope your physio is going to claim her time back to the insurance company!

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

There's no need for an insurance company under single-payer, except if we want to sue for damages. Of course, we're not going to get single-payer and we don't have it now, so it's a moot point.

I think the insurance industry should be nationalized. Seriously. Just seize their assets and have the government create non-profit versions of their services.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

You don't think the One True Healthcare Plan would still expect to get money from dude's auto insurance since it was due to his actions you needed the care? They wouldn't necessarily be coming to YOU for money, but I wouldn't be surprised if the behind-the-scenes stuff didn't still go on.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Exactly. The main business of insurance isn't covering people's health care costs, it's denying them so as to increase shareholder profits.

*spit*

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Oh good grief.

(Reply) (Thread)

{insert long string of unprintable imprecations here} *shakes head in astonishment* OTOH, being the supposedly responsible driver when I know the bastard is lying (there was NO damage to my car, a broken plastic license plate bracket on his, and he tried to get me to give him $50 at the scene and have done - I'm the one who insisted we go through the insurance co), I can kind of understand. Have to agree with wbyonder and solarbird that it's time for professional help of some persuasion. good luck, and i'm sending you lots of "i will not murder them becase Lilian needs her mom on THIS side of jail" vibes.

(Reply) (Thread)

You have to wonder how insurers live with themselves. vixyish found that the only way was to quit being an insurer.

(Reply) (Thread)

I would tell them that if they don't straighten it out immediately you are going to call in the lawyers. Whether or not you're going to, I suspect that's the last thing in the world they want.

(Reply) (Thread)

IAWT"lawyer up"C. Christ, what a bunch of twatwaffles.

(Reply) (Thread)

twatwaffles...i hadn't heard that one before. nice!

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

It does roll trippingly off the tongue, does it not? :) I'm pretty sure I picked that word up from LJ.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

I mentioned this story to bubblesutonium, who suggested strongly that you may want to find a good plaintiff's PI lawyer who will work on contingency to go write a nastygram to the insurance company. The insurance people always have a strong incentive to deny claims, so sometimes you need to make it clear to the insurance people that it really would be easier just to pay you off.

(Reply) (Thread)

PIGFUCKERS

(Reply) (Thread)

Grrr.

See, this is one of those "wonderful" things about insurance. They make more money the more claims they can deny, or even delay. The free market at work! But don't worry, Market Forces will regulate them!

(Reply) (Thread)

insurance companies suck. i agree with lawyer up.

-bs

(Reply) (Thread)

I agree with emmacrew that the insurance is just playing the stupid "hide the file" game until the last possible moment they legally can. I hates them with a passion and wish you better luck with it all. This kind of supertwattery happens all to often under the guise of "normal healthcare" and I can't believe we haven't been rioting in their lobbies.

Wishing you and Erik luck. I've been hit by a car on my bike and I know how much it blows. I hope he is feeling better soon.

(Reply) (Thread)

Physically, I'm fine.

The most annoying thing about it is that the physical therapy treatments are 100% covered by my medical insurance normally. But once you involve another insurance company by being injured by someone else, then suddenly the insurance company has an out and refuses to pay.

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)

Ah insurance companies, I love them well.

Personally, I think that all health care companies should be made non-profit by the government, with deliverables of patient treatments delivered and patient satisfaction ratings vs. stockholder value earned. Any money sitting in reserve to be put into dr/nurse education (funding medical degrees of dr/nurses so there are more of them in general practice roles), expanded healthcare options, and medical research. The real kicker is to also have a non-profit national pharmaceutical manufacturer to make the drugs and equipment cheap.

Lots of flaws, but at least it would be something different.

(Reply) (Thread)