Help with health insurance?

Question:

I really need to switch health plans but I missed the deadline. I can only change if I have a special reason to change. I called and explained to the representative that my current insurance is not accepted in many physician's offices and that I need to see a dermatologist. He told me that this is not a special reason and my insurance should help me find a physician. I have tried it, but the doctor's they give me do not accept my insurance. I tell the insurance this but they still don't make any changes. For the doctors that do accept it, I have to wait till July to see them, and I really need to see them now. Can you think of a special reason I can give so that I can change health plans? Thanks, I really appreciate it!!

Answer:
A special reason could be an extreme or life threatening condition if you needed to see a dermatologist for skin cancer or pre cancerous moles, and they would probably require some kind of proof.

Another approach -Call the doctors offices that accept the insurance, get to know the front desk staff by name, explain your situation and ask them to call you when cancellations occur. Check back periodically, esp. when folks are likely to cancel- Fridays and just before&after holidays. Make it clear that you're willing to come on short notice. Most offices would prefer to fill the space, because cancellations cost them $$. .

I'm afraid you're out of luck on changing health plans. Generally, the only reason to change (outside of the open enrollment period) is a life event, such as marriage, divorce, birth, etc. I think that your best course of action is to find a dermatologist within your plan and talk to him/her about the urgency of your situation. For Pete's sake, it's absolute insanity that a dermatologist can't see you for 2 months! There must be at least one reasonable human being in the bunch that can be persuaded to see you sooner.

Good luck!

July's getting close - just make sure you don't miss the deadline this year.

It has to be a life event - getting married, getting divorced, birth or adoption of a baby, or spouse losing their job or retiring.

Go see the Dermatologist your primary recommends. The insurance should pay for out of network fee and you can pay the rest. You are to be in such a hurry to change your insurance. This would be a pre-existing condition and you would have to hold-off for the waiting period which is usually one year.

Help with health insurance?

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