Humana
Reviews and Complaints

Really difficult company to deal with. I recently signed up for Humana/ Compbenefits dental plan through my credit union. I sent in my first premium as instructed in Nov. 2010. In December they double drafted me which left my account $2.00 overdrawn and my payment was refused. The bank in turn charged me a $29 OD fee. (Had they billed 1 month as they were suppose to by contract I would have not incurred this cost) So by January 2011, I was in the hole not only for 2 months premiums but also an additional $29 fee assessed by my bank. I am fully disabled with MS and am confined to a wheelchair. My budget is limited and allows me only enough each month to pay for necessities. I deposited my monthly premiums as they were due and was never aware there was a problem with my account until March when I broke a tooth and needed to actually USE the benefits I thought I was paying for. My account with Humana had been closed since January. I contacted Humana and was told that even though THEY created the problem, they were not able to correct it, or return any of the money that I lost due to THEIR error. I was told if I wanted to be reinstated that I would not only have to absorb the cost I already incurred but ALSO give them an additional 4 months premiums to catch up to May 5th. I tried to compromise by saying, ok, let's forget about the initial money that I am out of pocket and let's start this over. "Can I give you a check today to start this over effective May 5th?" That seems fair, right? NOPE! They expect me to pay them for 5 months premiums on a plan I didn't have access to on top of already absorbing the cost of the original malfunction which they admit was totally their fault. I have been through several customer service reps. Each one has been individully rude, uneducated and very UNhelpful in this situation. I've had better service at the DMV.

After buying glasses for myself with Humana insurance and buying glasses for my sister in law without insurance I was shocked to see that I had to pay more for the same glasses with the insurance than she had to pay for the glasses without the insurance. I tried to cancel the insurance and was told I was locked in for a one year contract and could not cancel the insurance. This information was never given to me at the time I applied for the insurance and I believe this is an immoral and deceptive practice. Beware of any dealings with Humana.

Humana has been charging me for something I never ordered, nor needed.

This is but a very small portion, representative of the several years that I have dealt, unsuccessfully, with humana... I would switch companies in a nano - second, but sadly, tragically, for many — they're all the same.

(That physicians have allowed themselves to be "owned" and manipulated by hmo's is a mystery to me,)

Although these messages are meant to be confidential, I just copied/pasted the latest useless exchange with this fraudulent company.

I have removed identifying info

*my annotations*

Hello,
The ppo plan should never have been active! I was charged for something that I clearly did not want or need and most of all, requst. You forgot the part about crediting my account. This is the third year in a row that this "reputable" company has perpetrated this fraud; it needs to be corrected.
Thank you,

— original message —
From [protected]@securemail. Humana.com
Date wed 03/23/2011 06:21:11 pm
To mg.@humana-odcs.com
Subject re: re: re: billing [#]

Dear,

Thank you for your recent inquiry submitted through the humana message center.

Your enrollment shows the ppo plan is not active.

If you have further questions, please continue to use the message center or call our customer care department at [protected]. If you are speech or hearing impaired, call 711.

Thank you,
Pam j.
Web customer care specialist
Humana insurance company

— original message —
From: mg.@humana-odcs.com
Date: 3/21/2011 2:34:51 pm
To: [protected]@humana.com
Subject: re: re: re: billing [#8]

A partial answer — was the ppo canceled on 01/01/11? I am being charged for this. I need to know that the erroneous charges have been removed.

* as is their custom, they completely ignored my query in their response — in fact they have ignored it for three years, charging me for something I did not want — or need*

— original message —
From [protected]@securemail. Humana.com
Date mon 03/21/2011 06:16:19 pm
To mg.@humaana-odcs.com
Ssubject re: re: billing #]

Dear,

Thank you for your recent inquiry submitted through the humana message center.

Effective 01/01/2011 you are enrolled with humana gold plus h24 (Hmo) effective 01/01/2011. No premiums for humana gold plus h248 (Hmo).

*yet, they are still trying to collect*

*yet, they charged me for another plan, that I informed them numerous times, that I did not want or need*

You can file an appeal. Humana will accept written appeal from a member or an authorized representative expressing dissatisfaction with humana’s adverse determination. Mail your written letter of appeal to the following address:

*an appeal is useless — I did that and it "could not be found"*

Humana insurance company
Attn: grievance & appeals manger
P. O. Box 14165
Lexington, ky 40512

Please include a description of your request for the reconsideration of the processing of the claim or desired benefits. You will also need to include your member id number, group number, patient's name, date of birth and supporting documentation within the letter's content.

If you have further questions, please continue to use the message center or call our customer care department at [protected]. If you are speech or hearing impaired, call 711.

Rose

— original message —
From: mg.@humana-odcs.com
Date: 3/18/2011 4:18:21 am
To: [protected]@humana.com
Subject: re: re: billing [#]

3/17/11
This is the 3rd year in a row that humana has extracted money from me through manipulation and trickery.
In numerous phone conversations, for the last three years, I have repeated that I have gone to an hmo and yet humana erroneously charged me for a ppo, despite my verbal — and written — requests to cease and desist. These are not mindless mistakes — this is theft — more of what the countless online complaints describe.
And here it is, year three and it's happening all over again.
I will be adding my humana [redacted] to these many consumer sites. You can fool all of the people some of the time...

— original message —
From [protected]@securemail. Humana.com
Date tue 03/01/2011 04:03:25 pm
To mg.@humana-odcs.com
Subject re: billing [#]

Dear ms.,

Thank you for your recent inquiry submitted through the humana message center.

This issue has been forwarded to our enrollment department for review. If you need to contact us in the future about this issue, you may use reference #428. You do show active on both plans at this moment, the hmo and the ppo. Please use your hmo id card for any medical costs.

Thank you for contacting humana to receive guidance when you need it most.

If you have further questions, please continue to use the message center or call our customer care department at [protected].

Alissa f.

Web customer service representative

— original message —
From: mg.@humana-odcs.com
Date: 2/26/2011 9:09:24 pm
To: [protected]@humana.com
Subject: billing

Hello,
The ppo plan should have been canceled as of 12/31/10 — in fact, I never chose it; should have been on the hmo all along.
Thank you
Rita kelley

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential material. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential material. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential material. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact the sender and delete or destroy the material/information.

Humana walmart medix x plan is awful they dont send drugs on time they overcharge and you have to wait a month to get credit 180.00 dr wrote prescription for drug they wouldnt fill it said needed preorthorization my dr did this they still wouldnt they denied the claim. I spoke with nurse at my drs. Office told her tell your friends to stay away from humana. Oh thats old news they over charge the always deny preorthorization. We have
Known how bad they are for a long time

I own a small medical practice in Kansas. About 5 months ago Humana abruptly stopped paying my patients' claims. Repeated calls and emails to my designated local representative went unanswered. Finally after numerous calls to the national organization Humana determined we needed to sign a new group contract. I was given a reference number and told to expect a contract in the mail. After 1 month no contract, and a repeat call to the national company resulted in a new reference number and instructions to call back in 1 month if the contract doesn't arrive. I still can not reach my local representative by any means-all emails and calls go unanswered. In the meantime my patients wait to see me for appointments and surgery, as I am unable to see them until the situation is resolved. If this is how they treat physicians, woe to the patients.

I am a coding specialist for a Eye doctor in rural Missouri. I have had numerous people call in and complain because there is a Out of Network deductible for their services rendered by our doctors. We explain to our patients ahead of time that we are not providers but we can bill their claims out for them and everything is subject to their plan. Come to find out there aren't any In Network doctors within 65 miles.
I felt especially bad for a couple from the town I live in that we have been seeing since 1996. This patient has to have test ran every 3-6 months to monitor a condition for his eye (he only has one, and now has glaucoma in his other eye).
Anyways, I spent an hour on the phone and I found out there is a waver that the parients can fill out to get their claims processed as in network if there isn't any In network docs within 30 miles, so we did all of that and got an authorization for all backdated services and through the end of the year. Now about 2 months later and 9 calls and 4 hours + on the phone with people that can't help me I am still stuck! I have spoke with Supervisor after supervisor that promice the moon and all I get is rejections and duplicat claims.
I finally called the patients Insurance agent to inform him that the insurance that he sold these people was not something that is working for them, started to explain all the problems with In and Out of networks and he and said "People hear what they want and he has been selling this insurance for 5 years" well Mr Gary I want to let you know that this poor guy with only one eye has been coming to us for a very long time and you should ask more questions and "qualify your customers" before you sell them a useless insurance plan!
BEFORE YOU BUY HUMANA - CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DOCTORS IN YOUR AREA! HUMANA IS NOT THE SAME AS MEDICARE!

My complaint is against Humana and its sales associate Dennis Gabauer. My parents are paying monthly on a policy that is supposed to cover my mother's prescriptions.The above mentioned associate met with my parents in their home approximately 3 months ago. He explained to them that my mother's prescriptions would be covered and that she would not end up in the so-called "donut hole" for a long time. I am not sure if that is what happened or if this associate just lied to them just to make a sale. Maybe he was told this by Humana Inc. just so that he could lure more people in. Either way my mother's prescriptions have not been covered and they total over $500. a month. My parents are in their 70's and do not have the income to pay for her prescriptions so my mother has considered just not taking them. These medications are life sustaining. I have spoken to Mr. Gabauer and explained to him my mother's situation. He told me at that time that he remembered my parents and he also remembered telling them that my mother's medication would be covered. He told me that the company should cover them and he could not understand why they weren't. He told me he would get back to me the next day after he checked his paperwork. He did not get back to me, however, he talked to my mother the very next day and told her the same thing. He admitted to her that he remembered her situation and that he did state to her that her prescriptions would be covered. He also stated to her that he could not understand what the problem was. When I called him the day after that he returned my call to tell me that he has been told he is no longer allowed to discuss anything with myself or my mother. I do not understand what is going on. It seems that either the company itself is either trying to cover something up or just rip off elderly people. Since my parents have paid for months of coverage that they never got but were promised, I feel that they should be reimbursed the total they have paid. I also feel that since my mother has had to pay full price for her prescriptions, that the company promised would be covered but lied, she should be compensated monetarily for the amount that she had to pay due to the company's lies. I am going to contact the Office of the Inspector General of the US regarding Medicare fraud to file a claim. I will do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this. I also will contact whoever I have to so that this will be settled in a manner I feel is appropriate for my parents.

I have this brain condition which also involves my eyes. I have been going to the same eye doctors down the street since I was a little kid. THEY are the ones that discovered my brain condition and they have all the tests, medical equipment, and prescription writing abilities to take care of it, but Humana says I can only go to them for glasses and check ups but anything involving the condition I have to go all the way into the city to the main campus for a guy to do all the same tests my local eye place did. Which never works out because I always end up late even when I leave hours (HOURS) earlier than necessary because I'm not familiar with the area and they always give my slot away and refuse to see me for another three to six months. No kidding. If this appointment is so unimportant that it can be put off for so long then why have it at all?

Well anyways, it's been over a year since I had my last eye exam and I really need new glasses. So I made an appointment with the people down the street but after I gave them my credit card and the new temp gave me the receipt I realize she charge me more than they normally did. We came to the conclusion that she accidentally charged me for a special eye test that I do need, but could no longer get there because it is connected with my brain condition. She seemed to be having trouble getting the extra amount off my bill, so a full time worker came to help and as soon as she came over and saw my Humana card she said they no longer took Humana. It sparked a big debate with all the workers there weather they did or not (It was so funny, them not knowing if they still took my insurance).

Finally someone got on the phone with Humana and they figured out that if you go to any out side place of Humana (which my eye place was now considered as), the card would still work and act like it accepted Humana. However, you have to pay up to 3, 000 dollars each year first, then after you have paid that full amount Humana would pitch in a fraction of any costs that came up after that. So the lady that called Humana explained to me that the bill I initially got would have just gone toward the 3, 000 dollars and I would have gotten a bill for the rest later. I almost let the bill go at first thinking that it had been a long time since I had that special test done and should really get it, luckily I anticipated that that might cause me problems through Humana and decided against it. I had no idea what problems I would really be stopping! And its good to know that thing about places accepting the card even if they don't actually accept Humana. Now I'm paranoid every where I go though.

Also, on a personal note, after I had finished catching up with all the lady's that work at my eye place, and turned to go, I nearly wanted to cry. I had been going there since I was a little kid...now I had no reason to go back...

I did find out that because of a recent change in the insurance I wont be eligible for it anymore in a year and a half, but in the mean time I have a question for anyone that reads this. Where is the list of places that do take Humana because I've looked and looked but I can't find it!? Any help would be much appreciated!

I have had terrible experience with Humana Medicare Coverage. I have Humana Medicare insurance and the first four years did not have a problem. My diabetes is controlled by an insulin pump and I never had problems getting supplies. Then all of a sudden without notice they canceled my supplies. My doctors have faxed them several times and also talked to personnel there several times about my situation. When I called customer care to inquire the person was really rude, and told me that he couldn't help me, and to call back later. The Dr office said that they all kept getting the run around by Humana. What I don't understand is that If they were going to stop the insulin pump supplies for what ever reason, why didn't they send me a notice? That would have at least gave me enough time to make other arrangements. They cancelled my supplies altogether without a warning. In the past, they would send letters out if there were any changes. This time there were no letters sent. The medical supply company that I used, informed me that Humana just all of a sudden made a mid-season change. Because of this, there was nothing I could do to get my medications and medical supplies. I know that Humana is getting paid to cover me because Medicare is paying them 110 dollars every month for providing insurance.
If any one reads this and if you are considering Humana, especially if you have a life threatening diseases, PLEASE do not use Humana! I had to go back on insulin shots which my body is having a hard time adjusting to, especially on a short notice. My blood glucose levels have been going crazy 300- 500 until I can find the right dosage. This puts my health in jeopardy. By the grace of God, I know that I will get through this. I just want to warn others before it happens to someone else. I also have a brother with Congestive Heart Failure who also uses Humana Medicare insurance, and they have stopped paying for his necessary lab work and medications. Please beware of Humana!

I am a member.my name is Janet Whelpley.my ID is H59025533 I recently had cataract surgery with implants.I cannot find an eye doctor to make my glasses.I need reading glasses.Humana gives one pair of glasses a year after cataract surgery also.Can you give me a optician in Okeechobee that I can use.I have made calls to the names in the phone book.And noone takes Humana that I have phoned.Please look into this for me I dont know what to do ext.Give me a name please.
Thanks Jan Whelpley

I got a HumanaOne policy and soon after it started I was told I needed back surgery. Humana told me it was covered, and Humana told the doctor it was covered. I had the surgery. Now Humana has decided NOT to cover it. They will not say why and they will not give me anyone to talk to about it. this will cost me more than $20, 000 in hospital and doctor bills. Humana hangs up one me when I call about it. if I ask for someone in charge, they put me on hold for 30 minutes or more and then hang up on me. THESE PEOPLE ARE ### AND LIARS AND CHEATS. STAY AWAY FROM HUMANA ONE. THEY HAVE RUINED MY LIFE.

Humana has jacked me around ever since I signed up in Mar 2009. I'm constantly on the phone trying to straighten out there mistakes and incompetent billing. I was on the Humana Advantage Plan because it fit my budget and I didn't see doctors very often. When I had to get a colon operation I had to call in to Humana for a "Waiver" to go in Network providers and Hospital. No problem except that it took numerous phone calls by me to the providers that sent me unpaid bills and humana denying payments. The operation was in Aug of 2009. Humana didn't notify me of processing the bills nor did they notify the providers billing office. The providers change so often I can't keep up with whose in network or what. I call Humana every time before I see a doctor to confirm of in network authorization. Some doctors offices excepted Humana without checking which plan I was on. I had no way of knowing whether the provider was excepting the correct plan. It was very difficult to make contact with humana to get a customer svc rep to assist me with my dilema. Cust svc was very courteous and patcient to say the least. But to talk with the source of the problem dept. Forget it. It happened again on 12/04/2009. I had a hand fusion. To this day humana still hasn't finished paying my bills. I'm constantly still on the phone with them. Sure humana corrects the mistakes but why do I have to notify them and babysit them. I'm worried all the time the doctors billing office will turn me in to the credit bureau because of late payments. Now, I tried to change plans so I can eliminate the Co Pay and all the hassle of waivers by changing to the F type Plan. 264.00 dollars a month just for peace of mind. Oh yeah...forget it. They screwed that up to. I decided to just return to the humana advantage plan because I pretty well know there game, I thought. After numurous calls and more issues concerning plans, disenrollments letters etc...I knew nothing about because their agent forgot to inform me, the Humana F type plan that was cancelled by me in Mar before the deadline? They decided to withdraw 524.00 inwhich I gave no authorization from my bank account. That's 2 payments for Mar and Apr this year inwhich I am not covered by the F type plan is in there pockets. I contested the unauthorized withdrawl but humana did it anyway. This is now still pending and if at all I recieve those 2 payments returned to my account won't happen for 4 weeks. Interesting how Humana takes so long to pay legitiment bills but can withdraw your bank account overnite. It's been a nightmare for me with this insurance co to long. So, without saying...I've learned my lesson. I am now in the market for a reputable co. I'm also filing in small claims court. This is a pathetic situation. The Advantage Plan is not an advantage. Believe me. I'm sure some of you out there are happy with your plan. I guess I was in the right place at the wrong time.

Tow claims 1 for a dental check was done out of network, the policy provide for 50% reimbursement it paid for less than 40%, and I had a routine physical, covered under the policy, the doctor recommended a shingles vaccine, recommended for people over 60, Humana would not pay for. $194.

I'm beggin anyone who has had problems with Humana to email, call, or send a letter to me stating your complaint and any supporting information you have about your complaint. I have made a decision to dedicate my "free time" to organizing a "front" against Humana. While words do not hold water by themselves, nor do individual complaints, I believe it is possible to have a group of persons large enough to attract the media. If I could acheive this goal, Humana would be forced to respond to a "newsworthy" story. I'm offering all of my time to deal with this. However, it will go nowhere without your help. Please email me, [protected]@yahoo.com, write me, 46 lottie's lane, nellysford, va 22958, or call me at [protected]. thankyou, jenny schmtiz

Wife called Humana to ask questions about health insurance rates, etc. I recieved a message 2 days later from Joshua an underwriter wanting me to call him back. I called back, and after going through 3 peopole who wanted to know my policy #, I finally reached him. What about "I do not have a policy with your company" is so hard to understand. I was cut off while on hold twice as well. I finally reached Josh, the underwriter, he begin to name off Medications I was on 5 years ago and wanted to know what my exact diagnosis was to be on the medication. Well actually he told me that the medication was for depression and also for anxiety and that he needed to know which I had been diagnosed with. Well my reply was that it was to help me stay calm while dealing with people like him who pull my medical records without authorization. I checked with my wife and she had signed nothing allowing them to view my medical records. I was unaware of everything except for the fact that Josh had left me a message and I was returning his call. I then called back and asked for a supervisor and told him the situation and how I was unhappy that my medical records where pulled without me authorizing it. As well, Joshua never verified who I was other than the fact that I told him my name when I called. The supervisor told me they had every right to pull my medical records because my wife had requested rates. I told him shouldn't I have at least been notified or at least got a call to make sure my wife and I were still living together. His was response was that they are not required to do that, and even said that they would just charge my wife with insurance fraud. The part that got me the most was when the supervisor told me that they had a system that pulled up the persons information who was calling based on the phone #, so they could tell if the call was the person they said they were. So I asked him what # I was calling from. He gave me my wife's # . Funny, I was calling from my work phone with my wife 20 miles away. I guess he thought because I have a southern accent that I'm stupid enough to believe something like that from him. With all this said, I just want people to be aware that Humana basically does what they want how they want. Even after all this, the supervisor tried to convince me to buy the policy...I told him he must be out of his mind. They seem to find the path of least resistance to stay legal instead of making any kind of effort to ensure the privacy of thier customers. I will stick with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Your insurance coverage details are outlined in what is called your 'certificate of coverage'. Surely you can access this from Humana's website. No, it is not available on the web. I called Humana and was told they would not send it to me. Tiffany told my husband that she could look up our plan to reference our certificate, but it would take a couple of days.

This was one of many calls where we were told something different each time we called. I have Humana Healthcare from the city I retired from, and I moved to a rural area. I was able to find a doctor on the plan. He is not close to a lab and has permission to send his lab work to the Hospital two miles away, to be tested in their lab. It was categorized as lab work only. It was a blood test on blood drawn at the doctors office... $15 co-pay and $10.00 lab work. Oh, No! I was charged an outpatient Hospital deductible of $100.00. By Humana's definition... an Outpatient is treated at the Hospital and confined for a period of less than 23 consecutive hours.

When I argued that I was never physically at the Hospital, and therefore did not fit the definition...I was told that 'My Blood, which is a part of me' was there...so I had to pay as an outpatient.

My husband needed a stress test and went to a Cardiac Clinic in a Larger City that was In-Network, so we figured we were safe. Wrong! One of the employees that was on the bill, was not In-Network. This place had over a hundred employees. We have Tiffany on tape saying that it is the patient's responsibility to check each and every person, at the facility, who could possibly be involved in your treatment... prior to treatment...even if there are hundreds. It doesn't say that in the certificate either. This company makes it nearly impossible for you to find out what your coverage is, and then changes the wording in the agreement to find a way to deny coverage or get a larger deductible.

My husband and I have spent countless hours dealing with this company, on more ridiculous issues than I can relate here. I do have tape and documentation, though...for every claim. We are currently in the appeal process and if The City did not have a contract with Humana, I would not use them.

I definitely do not recommend them to anyone and I feel sorry for the Seniors who think Humana's Medicare Plan will help them.

I had a medical procedure done late last year while covered by Humana Health in Louisville. In three phone calls to Humana, I was told my co-pay would be $25.00. However, when I received my Statement of Benefits outlining a $500.00 co-pay, I immediately made and specifically documented my third call to Humana informing me again of a $25.00 co-pay. On denying my appeal, Humana documented a false date and false information of my first call, and Humana would neither acknowledge nor deny my third call. Because Humana has maintained their stance on my calls, I have complained Humana in my case had been dishonest with me.

About six months ago, my husband's company switched from United Healthcare to Humana health insurance. The first thing I did was go to Humana's website to make sure our family's doctors - my son's pediatrician, my OB/GYN, and our family dentist - were in Humana's network. I really liked all of our doctors, I'd done a lot of research to choose the best ones, and I did NOT want to change.

My son's pediatrician was the only one that didn't show up on the network list. I called their business office to see why they didn't take Humana. They said they used to take it, but had a very hard time collecting from them. They said Humana had a habit of automatically paying the doctor less than the agreed-upon amount for a service, and then making the doctor's office jump through hoops to get the rest of their money. They said when they did pay out, it took forever to get a check, and often required multiple claim submissions. And they said Humana refused to pay for what the doctor considered to be routine care for a child, including some vaccines and screenings, and that they nit-picked every chart in an effort to get out of paying for care. They said their relationship with Humana got to the point that it wasn't worth it anymore, so they dropped them. And as disappointed as I was, I can't say I blame them.

So I went to Humana's website and found a pediatric clinic that is in their network. I went there and I hated it. It was clearly an inferior facility and inferior quality of care compared to my previous doctor. And I was even more frustrated when, a month or so later, I got a bill in the mail for $104 from the doctor's office. Apparently Humana had paid only $34 of my son's 15-month well-child check-up. I called Humana to tell them there must have been some mistake. They said they only paid a small percentage of the claim because I went to an out-of-network doctor. I said, 'No, actually, the only reason I even know that doctor exists is because I found them on YOUR website.'

After putting me on hold for more than 10 minutes, they came back on and told me the clinic I had gone to was in-network, but the particular doctor I saw was not. I asked them how in the world I, as a consumer, am supposed to know that just because a clinic is in-network doesn't mean the individual doctors are. After much, much, much back and forth, they agreed to resubmit the claim and pay it. They acted like they were doing me the biggest favor in the universe, and kept stressing that this is a one-time ONLY exception they were making for me. Gee, thanks jerks.

Not long after that, my husband went to see our family's dentist, which was in-network. Humana paid for his entire check-up, no problem. He didn't even have to pay a co-pay. Two weeks - yes, exactly fourteen days - later, I went to the same doctor and got the same check-up and x-rays. When I finished the appointment and went to check out, the office manager informed me that I owed them $280. I informed HER that I had dental insurance - here's my card, which I've already shown you when I came in.

She said, 'Oh, I guess they didn't tell you we don't take Humana anymore.' I said, 'What are you talking about? My husband was just here two weeks ago and you took our insurance THEN.' She was very nice, but she told me they had been in contract negotiations with Humana for months and couldn't reach an agreement. The dentist had requested a small and routine increase in fees, and Humana had bluntly refused. She said the amount they were willing to pay would not even, in some instances, cover the dentist's costs. I told her I refused to pay, since they should have told me when I walked in and showed them my card that they no longer accept Humana.

I called Humana to protest and got nowhere. They said it was my responsibility to know whether the dentist was in-network. Apparently I should have checked to make sure the dentist was still in-network just before I walked out the door to go to the appointment. Checking before I MADE the appointment wasn't good enough. So now the $280 is in limbo, with me, the dentist, and Humana refusing to budge.

After the dentist incident, I thought it might be wise to go back to Humana's website and make sure every doctor in the state hadn't dropped them. I was especially worried about losing my OB/GYN. I had established a great relationship with them during my first pregnancy, and I felt comfortable with the thought of future pregnancies knowing I would be in their good hands. So when I pulled up a list of in-network OB/GYNs in my county, my stomach dropped.

Not only was my doctor not on the list anymore, but there are only three doctors in my entire county that take Humana. And I don't live out in the boondocks, I live in Raleigh! For comparison's sake, I went back to United Healthcare's website to pull up a list of their in-network OB/GYNs in my county, and got a message that I would need to narrow my search criteria because my search had returned more than 300 doctors. THREE HUNDRED. Humana offers three doctors, none of which is less than 40 minutes from my house, and only one of which delivers babies at the hospital closest to me. I called my OB/GYN's office to find out more information about why they dropped Humana and... well, by now you can guess what they said.

Last week, I woke up in the middle of the night with horrible lower abdominal cramps. I started to get worried that it was something serious, since I very rarely have any abdominal or gynecological issues. Then I thought, 'It'll be okay, because if this still hurts in the morning, I'll just call my gynecologist.' And then I remembered that, thanks to Humana, for all intents and purposes I don't have a gynecologist. Or a dentist. Or a pediatrician. Or any good alternate choices available that DO accept my insurance. It was a terrifying feeling. I guess this is what it's like to not have any health insurance at all.

So we're shopping around for a health insurance plan that we'll have to purchase out of pocket. It will cost a lot more than we pay for Humana through my husband's company, but we're willing to pay for peace of mind.

My husband and I have worked for the state of Ky. for 13 years (for me) and 14 for him. He was also a member of the Army Reserves for this entire time. He recently retired instead of rejoining for 4 more year until he is 60. When I was working we cross referenced and our payments were maybe the most expensive was 40.oo a month for both of us and our daughter and son. I never had a complaint, NEVER until just the last couple of months. We had Tri care and of course I was not out anything for surgeries, medications that were prescribed we 3.oo and no more than 22 if they werent formulary. I want to get in touch with the head executive of the comany and find out what I need to do in order to make this affordable. 400+ dollars for my husband and myself is totally unrealistic.
I went to get my effexor refilled. I have been taking this medication for 6 years. I have never had to pay anymore than 29.00 for this medication, My husband went to have his Cozaar refilled, same story, the insurance company has to decide if this is the right thing medication for the doctor to prescribe for us, so it needed to be preapproved before we could get it. Okay it was approved and it was something like 165.00 WITH the insurance. Now let's add a minute. I am paying 400+ a month. I am now paying premiums at the doctors office anywhere from 10-20 for that. I have no other insurance such a dental or optical with it, just strictly medical. My husband's blood pressure was in the stroke range, and the drug store could and would not give him enough meds to get him by to see his doc to have them changed. So I have wound up in the emergency room, I have had to see a gastronologist and he would not even treat me for the other things that need to be treated because without the Effexor, my abdominal problems would not respond well to the medication. so I have been down in the dumps. I have isolated myself from all my family and friends, they get on my nerves, and I can't stand myself so I just dont want to bring them down with me. I want the CEO headquaters comepany, I also want to bring this to thier attention. I will be mailing out several letters to senators, and other folks who think they are much more important because they do not have to worry about insurance when they are older. Just to let you in o n what has been going on since we had no medication while waiting on Humana to say it is okay to have them or not, My husband has had a blood pressure of 157/116, I cried, been to the emergency room because my stomach was cramping, so, i still thought what a waste of time I am spending in an emergency room taking up space that others with life threatning injuries may need, simply because it is easier than waiting on my physician to get into his office, so he can order me something that my 450.00 a month premium insurance is not going to pay for supporting people in Ky who have no health insurance, but I think it is unfair when we pay that kind of money, and the welfare system gets better care than we do. Prison life is good for insurance.I worked there for 13 years, I KNOW beyond a doubt if something is NON FORMULARY for the inmates, a stroke of a pen when it is presented to our Dept of Corrections Medical Director of the state who by the way is a Mental Health Doctor a bona fide Psychriaist who used to work at the Ky State Reformatory as an on staff Psych MD. I will be submitting letters to everyone that I can get through to, this is highway robbery, this is why people cannot afford insurance and go on welfare so their kids can be covered, but what happens when that parent becomes so sick he can no longer take care of his/her children, because he cannot afford the insurance for himself, or the medication for himself. I would appreciate if you could send me other addresses, so I may get this out there. I f not that is fine I will find them on my own. I know this is going to be a long drawn out process, but I can be a patient person when I beleive in something.