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Discussion on 60 days . . . within the Individual Health Insurance Forum, part of the Insurance Agents and Brokers Forum category.
I have written very little business with Aetna in the past. Not much reason to.
At first the policies were ... |
09-18-2008, 12:01 PM
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#1
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Guru
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I have written very little business with Aetna in the past. Not much reason to.
At first the policies were garbage. Almost no Rx cover (actually a $5k cap). Rates were very high (except smokers and large families).
Their underwriting (diabetics, bipolar, etc.) made them my junkyard dog.
In July they revised plans and rates . . . especially on the HDHP. They are kicking butt as a result.
I used to submit 1 app every 3 months. Now it is 2 - 3 a week.
One of my clients is a hired gun for the DOI in several states. He audits carriers all over the country.
He contacted me a few months ago about a policy for his son. I showed him the HDHP 3000 and the price was right . . . even after the surprise hit for tobacco. (Aetna doesn't like to tell us about these changes in advance).
The policy was approved for an August 1 effective date. His checking account was hit in late July (when the policy was approved) for the August premium and again in late August for the Sept premium.
Two weeks ago he called. Wanted to know where his son's policy was.
I sent an email to AIMbrokersupport.
No response.
A week later he called again.
This time I escalated it to the regional manager. Later that day I got a note that the enrollment package would be expedited and sent out that day.
That was 9/10.
Today he called and said the ID card arrived but no policy.
I contacted Aetna again.
Their "standard" is to issue the policy 60 days after coverage is approved.
I blew a gasket.
No one takes 60 days.
I know some of you have been writing Aetna longer, and with more frequency than I have. How do you deal with this 60 day bullsheet?
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09-18-2008, 12:20 PM
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#2
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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...60 after the effective date is when all Aetna policies are mailed until you send a faxed request to mail it upon the effective date. Then they'll send it immediately.
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09-18-2008, 12:41 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthagent
...60 after the effective date is when all Aetna policies are mailed until you send a faxed request to mail it upon the effective date. Then they'll send it immediately.
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These kinds of non-smooth, bureaucratically driven processes will kill them in the long run. Hopefully sooner than later.
They have competitiors, and they really don't offer much that somebody else doesn't.
At the end of the day, there's only one protest that's effective: don't send 'em any apps.
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GoGators
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09-18-2008, 12:43 PM
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#5
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Guru
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I faxed them a letter and also mailed a letter to the MD DOI about this practice - citing that I feel if violates the 10 day free look period. Basically, the policy becomes active but clients do not have their chance to review it.
No work from from Aetna or the DOI - go figure.
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09-18-2008, 12:44 PM
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#6
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Guru
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthagent
...60 after the effective date is when all Aetna policies are mailed
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How does this work with the usual 10-day free-look period that almost all states have? Does the ten days start 60+ days after the effective date with Aetna?
Al
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09-18-2008, 12:52 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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The free look starts when you receive the policy - which is what an Aetna rep told me via phone justifying how they don't violate the free look by mailing them out 60 days after the effective date.
I did at least confirm that with my DOI rep - free look starts upon delivery of the policy.
That said, I still think it's a violation to use a policy for 60 days without the chance to review it.
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09-18-2008, 12:58 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somarco
I showed him the HDHP 3000 and the price was right . . . even after the surprise hit for tobacco. (Aetna doesn't like to tell us about these changes in advance).
I know some of you have been writing Aetna longer, and with more frequency than I have. How do you deal with this 60 day bullsheet?
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Once again, the sweetness of a "good" price evaporates into the "bitterness" of bad service...
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09-18-2008, 12:59 PM
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#9
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Guru
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthagent
I did at least confirm that with my DOI rep - free look starts upon delivery of the policy.
That said, I still think it's a violation to use a policy for 60 days without the chance to review it.
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My guess is that if you use the policy between day 1 and day 60, and you get the paperwork and read it and decide you don't like it, any claims that were paid would be rescinded and you would have to reimburse Aetna. Of course with deducts being what they are these days, it's a good bet there won't be many. And anyone who has a car wreck and has some huge bills in the first 60 days is NOT going to return the policy for any reason!
Al
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09-18-2008, 01:00 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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My Aetna "block" is down to 3....yes, 3 clients after getting rate increased into oblivion. Good luck with them.
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09-18-2008, 01:04 PM
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#11
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somarco
Their "standard" is to issue the policy 60 days after coverage is approved.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXINSURANCE
This has always been their policy.
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And people wounder why "big" businesses are going down the drain at a record clip...
It's 2008, and due to the wealth of information and choices for the consumer, it's their standards and policies that matter the most.
Some will adapt and thrive. Some will die, as they should.
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09-18-2008, 01:05 PM
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#12
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Where the the "biggies" like NAHU? Why can't they start blasting Aetna for practices like this?
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09-18-2008, 01:06 PM
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#13
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
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And anyone who has a car wreck and has some huge bills in the first 60 days is NOT going to return the policy for any reason!
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Your auto insurance policy is the primary payor in this situation. Common misconception.
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09-18-2008, 01:08 PM
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#14
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by healthagent
Where the the "biggies" like NAHU? Why can't they start blasting Aetna for practices like this?
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NAHU and the other insurance trade organizations are heavily funded by the big companies like Aetna.
That's why they are almost universally worthless.
They won't blast the hand that feeds them...
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09-18-2008, 01:19 PM
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#16
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXINSURANCE
I am confused - I know you can create an account online and print ID card - can you download the policy also?
Why can't they do electronic fulfillment - why is it mailed at all?
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Good question. DOI regs?
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09-18-2008, 02:52 PM
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#17
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Guru
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moonlightandmargaritas
Your auto insurance policy is the primary payor in this situation. Common misconception.
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If I'm in a auto wreck ... say I'm drunk and I hit a telephone pole at 65 mpg...and my injuries are so bad that I need a heart transplant or a kidney or maybe two artificial legs... that my basic state-minimum required auto insurance for my "junker" (aka "beater.") is going to pay the doctor, PT, convalescent, and hospital bills... maybe to the tune of half a million dollars?
I don't think so... at least I don't see that written into my CSAA auto policy after a quick scan. But I'll keep reading. Maybe you are right. I never read this thing in detail!
Al
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60 days . . .
