We on the staff discussed the situation and agreed that the only thing we could do was to get in touch with our contacts at the insurance plan. We called our contact – a supervisor in the marketing department – who fired off a memo. All of this happened before lunch.
At 3 p.m. we got a joyous call from the couple! The CEO of the insurance company had just contacted them with the news that the plan would cover everything and that she should go to the hospital as originally planned!
The surgery went well the following day. We were left feeling very happy but extremely puzzled by the way things had gone. How did our inquiry to the marketing rep get picked up by the CEO? We will never know the details, nor will our marketing contact. We only know that having good relations and contacts with the plans can make a BIG difference!
It is the mission of HICAP to provide accurate and objective counseling, advocacy, and assistance with Medicare, health insurance, and related health coverage plans for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives, or persons who will soon be eligible for Medicare, and to educate the public on Medicare and health insurance issues. All services are provided at no cost to our clients.
HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, provides information and assistance with Medicare, managed care (HMOs), long-term care insurance and other related health insurance issues. Trained volunteer counselors offer objective information to help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries make good health care decisions. When problems arise, HICAP counselors can help resolve them. Along with local individual counseling, HICAP offers community education presentations. All services are free of charge. HICAP is funded by a grant from the County of Riverside Office on Aging and the County of San Bernardino Department of Aging and Adult Services through funds from the California Department of Aging.