Well, what a way to wake up. A phone call from a crying, almost hysterical woman...

[Better Today]

I answer the phone, "G'mornin', this is (me)"

She is crying and very upset. "I need to talk to someone immediately about why you canceled our policy. Nothing has changed, these are our normal...." Anger was definitely in the mix as well.

I interrupted fairly quickly as I could, "Ma'am I believe you've misdialed, this is a residential phone number. What number did you try to dial?"

"Oh, I SO SORRY, our insurance was cut off apparently and I'm at the doctor's office and just found out. I'm so sorry, I'll dial again. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

Now she's crying. All of 1.5 minutes on the phone and I heard despair, anger, and tears.

Does anyone think the government could really do anything worse?

[peacetalksforall]

1. I learn so much from graphs and comparisons. Where can I go to see a

statistic on number of people being dropped and why? Anyone?

[MadMaddie]

36. The Insurance companies aren't putting out statistics

it would be the final nail in their coffins.

[Ian David]

2. Wow. That poor woman. n/t

[blondeatlast]

3. Lots of uninformed or deliberately stupid do, but slowly, most people

are seeing that it can work (see: Medicare, the National Parks, Head Start, the interstate highway system, etc.)

[WriteDown]

4. Maybe they dropped her policy due to communication issues?

If she's dialing local #'s to get ahold of them, I have to wonder.

[Better Today]

6. Actually BCBS for the state is only one number different than my home number,

so if she lives here, she calls a local number. Usually I get calls for the local women's clinic (not a liberal clinic at all, just one of the larger religiously oriented clinics) as it has all the same numbers with just two being inverted. This is the first time I've been called by someone thinking they had BCBS.

[WriteDown]

13. I've had local BCBS #'s before, but always dial the 800#...

I also always expect an IVR. I think I would be suspicious if a live person just picked up the phone.

[Better Today]

14. Well, having been the accountant on hand for businesses using BCBS

around here, the number to reach someone is a local number, and real people answer the phone.

Since she was in the doctor's office, I imagine they gave her the number they use for BCBS which would be the same one I would call when needing assistance regarding a company's policy.

[rvablue]

20. What is a "liberal womens' clinic" praytell? Hmm? n/t

[newtothegame]

23. Desperate troll searching? Hmm? n/t

[Better Today]

24. "liberal clinic" = one open to women's personal choice regarding body and pregnancy

"not liberal clinic" = clinic that refuses to do abortions, prescribe contraceptives, etc.

Many people hear/read "women's clinic" and automatically think something positive, women oriented, but instead this one is a religious, patriarchal crapfest.

[GillesDeleuze]

49. a secular clinic that offers a full range of health services

not that i expect them to be using leeches at the religious ones...

[Toasterlad]

8. Given the Fact That She Was Obviously Extremely Upset, I Think Her Mis-dialing Is Understandable

However, your sympathy is noted.

:eyes:

[gratuitous]

11. Hadn't thought of that!

Now, in addition to being dropped for pre-existing conditions, because it's a day that ends in "y" or because you're just too big a health risk now that you've turned 30, the insurance companies can drop you if you've ever dialed a wrong number. Genius!

Or maybe it looks a bit too much like blaming the victim? Tough to say.

[HughMoran]

12. I'm sure that's the argument the Republicans will use

:hi:

[sui generis]

5. Oh hell yes.

We could guarantee your acceptance into the public option but not cap your premium, then fine you when you don't pay, even if you don't use it.

Emotional hot buttons aside, this should be a tax on income, the P.O., should be an agency service, and there should be an opt-out if you already have insurance. If you require medical care in the absence of either your P.O. opt-in, you get assessed a 1098 for the value of services provided and pay the entire amount in taxes or the actual opt-in tax, whichever is more. It's not a fine, it's a catch-up.

This is not hard, until the politicians and their insurance company johns get involved.

[Better Today]

7. Yep, I guess you have a point. I can't understand it taking more than 20 pages to provide

universal health insurance, even though I thought (and still do) that we should be getting universal health CARE, instead of health insurance pseudo-reform.

[Fumesucker]

10. It took Canada only 14 pages.. But that was bilingual..

So it was really only 7 pages in English..

[inna]

43. +1.

perfectly reasonable.

[TexasObserver]

9. Health insurance is for people who don't need it.

Start needing it too much and suddenly, you're not their BFF any more.

[Better Today]

15. Damned truth, ain't it. Sucks to be us (as in USa)

[jtrockville]

16. Uniquely American (USA).

[Brigid]

17. Nope. Government couldn't do worse.

When I worked at Wellpoint, it was not at all unusual to have people calling in tears. Bring on the "socialized medicine." :grr:

[drm604]

18. Damn

I accidentally clicked unrec! :blush: There needs to be a way to undo that! Can someone please rec to make up for it?

[Better Today]

19. Yep, I've done that a few times. No worries, if it's worth climbing in the ratings, it will.

::Hugs::::

[drm604]

21. There should be an "Are You Sure" popup for recs and unrecs. n/t

[Better Today]

25. Good idea. I was thinking a 5 minute "edit" opportunity like the posts have, your's is better.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. Forgive Me For Not Believing This For A Second.

[Lex]

26. And this matters how?

[Better Today]

27. If I hadn't been there myself, I wouldn't believe it either.

[mullard12ax7]

28. I bet you rec'd "the Iraq war is over" lies

and then you give this poster crap over nothing. How's it feel to be so mighty behind keyboard?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

29. Ummmmmm, You're Talking About What Now?

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[Dora]

31. There'd be no need to ask for forgiveness if you didn't make this post.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

33. Just Bein Honest.

The OP is way too convenient.

[Dora]

35. That's a handy excuse for boorish behavior. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

32. Why?

I used to work at a place that was one digit off the IRS phone number. We'd get upset calls all the time. (And never offered tax advice!)

And for years, my cell got calls from people desperately looking for someone who wasn't me...

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

34. Just Too Convenient.

Sorry, I don't believe everything I read. In this case, the OP seems too contrived and convenient.

[w4rma]

37. Wouldn't you feel bad if it were all true, operationmindcrime? Or would you? (nt)

[Better Today]

38. It is all true. I didn't expect that posting it would be in the least bit controversial.

I can't imagine what anyone thinks I would gain from a post like this. If a mod wants to know my number, the BCBS number, and even the women's clinic number for verification, where I can still remain anonymous, I'll be happy to do it.

That being said, it was very surreal while it was happening, I understand a certain amount of skepticism as I was experiencing it and just shaking my head. Like I said, I've gotten calls thinking I'm the women's clinic because it is just two numbers inverted; but I've never before gotten a call intended for BCBS. It was surreal, no doubt.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

40. I'll Give You The Benefit Of The Doubt. My Humble Apologies.

Too often, people make shit up here just to be able to post something about their pet topic. Your story just seemed to convenient and unlikely, but you seem genuine enough so I retract my statements and offer my full apology.

[w4rma]

41. Thanks. :) (nt)

[Better Today]

45. Thank you.

[zonkers]

44. Yup.

[renegade000]

39. doesn't seem so far-fetched

For years we had people calling our residential phone number who were trying to reach Kaiser Permanente. Some of them would be somewhat emotional, trying desperately to figure out what to do about their broken-leg, etc.

[donheld]

42. We'll if OMC says isn't believing it then he must be right

After all he is knower of all. :eyes:

[LeftishBrit]

30. k&r

[barbtries]

46. no.

probably a lot better.

[barbtries]

47. no.

probably a lot better.

[kenny blankenship]

48. Could it do worse than to chain people to same these bloodsucking insurance co.s 'til death?

That's about as bad as can be presently imagined. But give it time. It will be sure to do its level best to surpass that.