SnakeFriend
@snakefriend.bsky.social
Writing social commentary and dystopian short stories. Is one different from the other in this age? No.
Healthcare insurance companies should be ashamed of themselves. Practices like these keep 50% of Americans in Medical Debt. I refuse to stop fighting a corrupt industry as I know millions of Americans would have just paid that initial $300 bill. It's not their fault.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Healthcare insurance companies should be ashamed of themselves. Practices like these keep 50% of Americans in Medical Debt. I refuse to stop fighting a corrupt industry as I know millions of Americans would have just paid that initial $300 bill. It's not their fault.
How was I supposed to know I would have to pay? I'm a supposed expert who followed all the right steps and still I had no idea. "There's no way you could know," they admit to me.
BCBSIL makes billions every year, yet they still choose to obfuscate their benefit information?
BCBSIL makes billions every year, yet they still choose to obfuscate their benefit information?
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
How was I supposed to know I would have to pay? I'm a supposed expert who followed all the right steps and still I had no idea. "There's no way you could know," they admit to me.
BCBSIL makes billions every year, yet they still choose to obfuscate their benefit information?
BCBSIL makes billions every year, yet they still choose to obfuscate their benefit information?
It should say $50 copay for Urgent Care illnesses ONLY on my benefit information. It doesn't say that. TELL ME WHERE IT SAYS THAT PLEASE GOD. This should qualify for surprise billing, but apparently it doesn't, even though BCBSIL forces patients to pay for almost every UC visit.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
It should say $50 copay for Urgent Care illnesses ONLY on my benefit information. It doesn't say that. TELL ME WHERE IT SAYS THAT PLEASE GOD. This should qualify for surprise billing, but apparently it doesn't, even though BCBSIL forces patients to pay for almost every UC visit.
"Doesn't matter, they say. Because the diagnosis is accident related its an ER visit. I lose it. WHAT ELSE DO PEOPLE GO TO AN URGENT CARE FOR BESIDES FOR ACCIDENTS? "It could be an illness I guess", they answer. Where on my benefit info does it say that? No answer.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
"Doesn't matter, they say. Because the diagnosis is accident related its an ER visit. I lose it. WHAT ELSE DO PEOPLE GO TO AN URGENT CARE FOR BESIDES FOR ACCIDENTS? "It could be an illness I guess", they answer. Where on my benefit info does it say that? No answer.
Every EOB (explanation of benefits) has a place of service listed. I ask what it is on my claim - 23 for Emergency or 20 for Urgent Care. 20 for Urgent Care she says, with a hint of surprise in their voice. "And, what does that tell you?" I ask.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Every EOB (explanation of benefits) has a place of service listed. I ask what it is on my claim - 23 for Emergency or 20 for Urgent Care. 20 for Urgent Care she says, with a hint of surprise in their voice. "And, what does that tell you?" I ask.
Back again. They tell me that this is actually an emergency room visit. In an urgent care. With one doctor and three total rooms. Doesn't matter, they say, it's an emergency room visit because of the diagnosis code.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Back again. They tell me that this is actually an emergency room visit. In an urgent care. With one doctor and three total rooms. Doesn't matter, they say, it's an emergency room visit because of the diagnosis code.
They come back. We have a long back and forth where they try to convince me that there is a hidden line in my benefit information that I'm missing. It doesn't exist! They go back on hold. I'm losing it at this point.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
They come back. We have a long back and forth where they try to convince me that there is a hidden line in my benefit information that I'm missing. It doesn't exist! They go back on hold. I'm losing it at this point.
“Wait, you’re right,” they say. “Please hold.” I’ve been on the line for 40+ minutes now. My patience is wearing thin. Any non-healthcare person would've paid this bill by now. I won't be convinced.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
“Wait, you’re right,” they say. “Please hold.” I’ve been on the line for 40+ minutes now. My patience is wearing thin. Any non-healthcare person would've paid this bill by now. I won't be convinced.
I made an informed decision based on the benefit information they gave me. If they have an updated document, it’s ridiculous that I wouldn’t have the same thing. They send me to a new document on their website called an SBC. It's slightly different, but still agrees with my take.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I made an informed decision based on the benefit information they gave me. If they have an updated document, it’s ridiculous that I wouldn’t have the same thing. They send me to a new document on their website called an SBC. It's slightly different, but still agrees with my take.
I point them to my explicit benefit information. Urgent Care Visits are covered at $50, the deductible does not apply. The agent tells me that they don’t see that on their end. I tell them I don’t care about their end, this is what their own website says to me.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I point them to my explicit benefit information. Urgent Care Visits are covered at $50, the deductible does not apply. The agent tells me that they don’t see that on their end. I tell them I don’t care about their end, this is what their own website says to me.
What they don’t know is that I’ve worked in healthcare billing for 10 years. I've gone into hospitals to help them collect from insurance companies. My job should not exist, but because it does I cannot be out-jargoned into submission by an insurance empire.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
What they don’t know is that I’ve worked in healthcare billing for 10 years. I've gone into hospitals to help them collect from insurance companies. My job should not exist, but because it does I cannot be out-jargoned into submission by an insurance empire.
The rep tells me that the original rep made a mistake. I’m responsible for the $281.04. “How can that be,” I say? “It’s what it says in your insurance.” They drop some pieces of jargon on me about how this specific visit isn't covered because of networks & diagnoses, etc.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The rep tells me that the original rep made a mistake. I’m responsible for the $281.04. “How can that be,” I say? “It’s what it says in your insurance.” They drop some pieces of jargon on me about how this specific visit isn't covered because of networks & diagnoses, etc.
Call #2: I explain to the next BCBS rep about my previous call with a BCBS rep one month ago. The urgent care is about to send me to collections I say. Please reprocess the bill. “Did you call us before?” they ask. “Yes, this same exact number."
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Call #2: I explain to the next BCBS rep about my previous call with a BCBS rep one month ago. The urgent care is about to send me to collections I say. Please reprocess the bill. “Did you call us before?” they ask. “Yes, this same exact number."
Bill #3: Three weeks later I receive another bill for $281.04. Nothing has changed. It’s okay, I tell myself, BCBS just hasn’t had time to resolve the issue or reprocess the claim. I wait another few weeks until:
Bill #4: $281.04. I call back.
Bill #4: $281.04. I call back.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Bill #3: Three weeks later I receive another bill for $281.04. Nothing has changed. It’s okay, I tell myself, BCBS just hasn’t had time to resolve the issue or reprocess the claim. I wait another few weeks until:
Bill #4: $281.04. I call back.
Bill #4: $281.04. I call back.
I am right, their system billed me incorrectly and they will resolve it on their end. I hang up the phone happy, it took 50 minutes that it shouldn’t have, but at least everything worked out like it should have.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I am right, their system billed me incorrectly and they will resolve it on their end. I hang up the phone happy, it took 50 minutes that it shouldn’t have, but at least everything worked out like it should have.
I explain what is happening. I was billed incorrectly. My benefits say that Urgent Care Visits are covered at a $50 copay. This is an urgent care visit. The BCBS agent is sympathetic. After 50 minutes of call time (most of which is me on hold), the person figures it out.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I explain what is happening. I was billed incorrectly. My benefits say that Urgent Care Visits are covered at a $50 copay. This is an urgent care visit. The BCBS agent is sympathetic. After 50 minutes of call time (most of which is me on hold), the person figures it out.
Call #1: An AI agent starts by asking me questions. I enter my subscriber ID and birthdate information. “Billing Problem” I tell it “Please wait while I connect you with a customer service representative.” A human picks up and has me repeat all of the same information.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Call #1: An AI agent starts by asking me questions. I enter my subscriber ID and birthdate information. “Billing Problem” I tell it “Please wait while I connect you with a customer service representative.” A human picks up and has me repeat all of the same information.
Bill #2: Two weeks later I receive another bill from the urgent care. This one for $281.04. The insurance that I pay $330 every two weeks for saved me a total of $18.96. I call CityMD, they tell me there is nothing they can do - I have to talk to my insurance. I call BCBSIL
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Bill #2: Two weeks later I receive another bill from the urgent care. This one for $281.04. The insurance that I pay $330 every two weeks for saved me a total of $18.96. I call CityMD, they tell me there is nothing they can do - I have to talk to my insurance. I call BCBSIL
BCBSIL is a company with billions in profit. 1 in 3 Americans are covered by different versions of BCBS. Revenues have soared recently, mainly due to fast growing premiums like the $660 a month I pay (not including my employer contribution): www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/...
Blue Cross Illinois parent watches revenue soar
Net income was down slightly thanks to a larger tax bill, but execs are still bullish on the health insurer's performance.
www.chicagobusiness.com
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
BCBSIL is a company with billions in profit. 1 in 3 Americans are covered by different versions of BCBS. Revenues have soared recently, mainly due to fast growing premiums like the $660 a month I pay (not including my employer contribution): www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/...
Bill #1: One week later I receive a bill for the full $300. Apparently my insurance did not take correctly. I call CityMD back, they take down my insurance. All is well in the world. I sleep peacefully knowing I’m covered by a giant in the American Healthcare Insurance system.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Bill #1: One week later I receive a bill for the full $300. Apparently my insurance did not take correctly. I call CityMD back, they take down my insurance. All is well in the world. I sleep peacefully knowing I’m covered by a giant in the American Healthcare Insurance system.
The visit is surprisingly fast and efficient, all the providers are very nice. My ankle is not broken - go home and rest, they say. The front desk woman tells me their system is down so they can’t enter my insurance. She scans a copy of my BCBS card. Then the drama begins.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The visit is surprisingly fast and efficient, all the providers are very nice. My ankle is not broken - go home and rest, they say. The front desk woman tells me their system is down so they can’t enter my insurance. She scans a copy of my BCBS card. Then the drama begins.
I find an office on my insurance providers (BCBSIL) “In Network” provider chart. It has to be In Network otherwise nothing is covered. I call the office (CityMD) and confirm that the X-ray is included in the urgent care visit and not a separate charge. Things are looking up.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I find an office on my insurance providers (BCBSIL) “In Network” provider chart. It has to be In Network otherwise nothing is covered. I call the office (CityMD) and confirm that the X-ray is included in the urgent care visit and not a separate charge. Things are looking up.
According to my benefit information. Urgent Care Visits are covered at a $50 copay, and my $1500 deductible does not apply. Hooray for me. Like most Americans, I forgo the doctor for almost any injury if I have to pay full price.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
According to my benefit information. Urgent Care Visits are covered at a $50 copay, and my $1500 deductible does not apply. Hooray for me. Like most Americans, I forgo the doctor for almost any injury if I have to pay full price.
My ankle gets worse over the next few days, so I decide to go to an urgent care to make sure I didn’t break anything. But, first, like every good American, I check my insurance that I pay $600+ a month for to determine if the visit will be covered or if I will have to pay for it.
October 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
My ankle gets worse over the next few days, so I decide to go to an urgent care to make sure I didn’t break anything. But, first, like every good American, I check my insurance that I pay $600+ a month for to determine if the visit will be covered or if I will have to pay for it.