Lane S. Fulton
Seventy individuals got here to Indianapolis from throughout the nation and risked arrest at Elevance Well being headquarters lately. I used to be considered one of them. We have been there for a easy purpose: Everybody wants well being care, and personal insurers like Elevance make a killing by denying us care once we want it most.
Elevance rebranded itself from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Protect in June. This new title displays their want, they are saying, to “elevate” and “advance” our well being. Although Elevance has a unclean secret. Their document earnings ― $6.1 billion final 12 months ― are fueled by tens of millions of denials of care to their very own policyholders, like me.
I underwent six surgical procedures over three years on the IU Well being, Bloomington Hospital, and three of those have been whereas I had Anthem protection. Throughout COVID-19, I received insurance coverage by means of the Wholesome Indiana Plan (HIP), a part of Medicaid. I’m now one of many 2 million Hoosiers who depend on this public program.
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Medicaid lined my later surgical procedures. Then within the fall of 2020, I obtained a shock letter from IU Well being saying I owed $2,500 for outdated medical payments Anthem refused to pay. I used to be confused: I knew my Anthem coverage had a deductible, and I paid each invoice I obtained. I couldn’t afford this shock invoice.
So I instantly utilized for monetary support. Just a few months later, I obtained a letter from IU Well being saying my medical debt could be canceled. I used to be relieved and pleased to the purpose of tears.
But just a few weeks later, I received a letter from a debt assortment company, Harris & Harris, demanding I pay much more ― $5,000 ― for payments Anthem nonetheless refused to pay, payments I by no means obtained.
I used to be scared. I used to be harassed. And I used to be indignant. It appeared IU Well being and Anthem have been working collectively to drive me to pay much more.
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Non-public insurers like Elevance/Anthem need to suck our bones dry, as a result of denying care is simple cash for them. Some non-public well being insurers deny as many as 4 out of 5 claims. They know our well being care system is method too advanced, so most individuals don’t struggle their denials — in reality, solely 0.2% of denied claims are ever appealed. However we’re going to alter that.
These of us who confirmed up at Elevance’s headquarters are a part of an effort referred to as Care Over Price. We assist individuals who have had care denied by their insurance coverage enchantment these denials and lift the problem that this apply by non-public insurers is unjust. Declare denials shouldn’t be a routine a part of our lives that we simply have to just accept, or face alone — as an alternative we present up for one another and take them on collectively, so we are able to all get the care we deserve.
Just lately, we despatched a letter to Elevance CEO, Gail Boudreaux, asking her to satisfy with us, and for Elevance to finish their dangerous apply of denying claims. We haven’t but heard from Gail, however that’s OK ― we shall be again. Individuals like me are bored with being informed by firms like Elevance we don’t deserve high quality well being care. As a result of wherever we’re, and no matter we seem like ― all of us deserve higher. We want well being care that’s there for us, day-after-day, and never simply when it’s handy to a billion greenback insurance coverage firm’s backside line.
So Elevance, should you actually need to “elevate” and “advance” our well being, it’s simple: Cease denying our care.
Bloomington resident Lane S. Fulton, holds a Grasp of Public Administration, is a member of Individuals’s Motion and works as an company and security internet navigator, serving to individuals get entry to advantages akin to SNAP, TANF, unemployment and well being care.
