swedish medical center

I called the billing office for the Ballard Emergency Physicians today, as that to the best of my understanding, my bill is due in a couple days.

You see, I called on June 21 to let them know I was still in appeals with my insurance. They then informed me that I was granted one reprieve already, and that was all they would offer.

When I called today, they let me know that my due date was reset again (though they couldn’t tell me when it was set to) and that this happened on June 21 when I called. I let her know that wasn’t the information I received before. “Then the person that informed you of that was mistaken. She filed a complaint on your behalf and it was sent to the physicians office for review.”

Interesting.

I was told that my account was not in any danger, at present, for going into collections.

Excellent.

I now am wondering if this has something to do with the complaints I filed with the Attorney General or the Department of Health… (maybe both.)

Stay tuned.

See previously: Emergency Room Charges, Ballard Emergency Physicians and Swedish Ballard Emergency Room, Insurance, Emergency Room and Complaints/Appeals, Insurance Appeal Update

Yesterday I went all the way up to Mountlake Terrace, Washington to present myself before the Premera appeals panel. I got there right on time, was well dressed, and a bit out of place with my pink/purple hair. I wore heels just to make me a little more fierce and ready for action. I went to the desk of building one, and presented myself. There was no badge for me. After some calling around, the desk person found the people I was supposed to meet with, and about 10 minutes later, a woman came out, looking perfectly present, and let me know they weren’t expecting me.

I suppose they get that a lot. The way that the second appeal process works is that you write a second letter of appeal, and they send you back a letter for a formal meeting, during business hours, either at their offices or by conference call. I’m sure that most people take one look at that letter and throw it in the trash, giving in to defeat. After all, the offices are far away, and if you’re working (or very ill), a conference call is intimidating.

They quickly assembled the panel. Two were in person, a moderator and a claims analyst. Then there were two on the phone, a physician and another person, whose role I have forgotten. She spoke the least of all of them. What I had expected to be intimidating, was totally not. These people kind of acted like they wanted to be my friends. Well, you know, the kind of friends you make in an hour at a party and never see again.

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