Is she right?

Question:

Travis, the manager of operations at a large manufacturing firm, walks into his office on Monday morning to find his assistant Beth apparently upset. She informs him that she was recently diagnosed with hepatitis and filed a claim for medical costs with the company's insurer. She then found that, since the time of her diagnosis and after having informed the human resources division of that diagnosis, the company reduced its medical coverage and placed a cap of $2,000 on certain claims, including those for hepatitis. Beth contends that she is being discriminated against and that the company should not be able to reduce coverage just to avoid having to pay her present and future claims.

Answer:
They shouldn't be allowed to do that. But we all know that's what insurance companies do, they'll cancel your insurance if you pay 1 second late, but when it comes to them paying anybody their a-holes pucker up tighter than a snare drum!!
Good Luck!

It certainly sounds like discrimination. Regardless, the insurance that the company had in place at the time of the claim would be in effect. Any changes to coverage after the claim would not affect her present claims. Her future claims would be affected.

It sounds like the company self-insures and just pays an insurance co or third party to administer the claims.

Beth should contact a lawyer who has experience in these matters.

Although it would be interesting to know specific date and timing, she appears to be correct. She should contact a lawyer... and shame on the company for not standing by its employees.

The only way to find out for sure if she is correct in her assumptions (though I would jump to the same conclusion myself) is to find out when, exactly, the company took actions to make these changes. In my oppinion, since she filed her complaint prior to the finalization of these changes, she should be entitled to the previous coverage for at least one year (assuming, she contracted HB from her place of employment, she may have a good case for a law suit). Hope all goes well.

Is she right?

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