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- Jul 16, 2010
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I know I am hammering on about this, but I have thus far spoken with 4 different agents- 2 at via benefits and two at Empire BCBS and none of them know anything regarding my specific question- "when you move to another state with Medigap, will the insurance company adjust the rate once you notify them of the new zip code?
So much for agents- no offense to simpsontruckdriver- I know more than the ones I spoke to. I was an account executive for a health insurance company, so it is not like I am wet behind the ears- though I did not work with Medicare- I did commercial lines for large (and some small) employer groups many years ago.
Anyway, the VIA benefits agent said I should just call them after I move- have to get the Part D changed- that I knew- and then they will find me another M plan in NH. He said not to even call Empire. Ummm- NOT!
I did find something online that said to call the carrier 30 days before you move so they can tell you what your new rate will be. I mean- why change the plan and insurance carrier if you don't have to- especially if there is a possibility the rate will go down? That is what I am hoping for.
Also- not one of them even explained to me that Empire BCBS is the same company as Anthem BCBS (which is the equivalent in NH). I found this out on line myself. In fact- if I go on Empires website and put in the NH zip code, it immediately brings me to the Anthem website with the quotes! (Excellent website Empire has BTW)
So there you go- this is why I am on forums like this (and others) asking questions rather than depending on agents. One agent at BCBS simply told me he didn't know. Offered no help to find out. Was like talking to a dead rag.
For the life of me I don't understand how an agent would not know the answer to this simple question. It's not like people over 65 with a Medigap plan never move to another state!
And the customer service agents- reading a script that has nothing to do with anything. They cannot think for themselves. I had to tell one to stop dead in her tracks and just get me to someone who can answer the question. But no- they have to go through an entire script for 20 minutes (after your 10 minute phone menu) asking for all kinds of info like your name and address and date of birth, etc. - when all you have is a generic question-only to tell you they don't know anything.
Bottom line- when we move I am going to notify SS and the insurance carrier and then I am going to see what the rate is- hopefully they will be able to tell me- or I will wait for the bill- and then call VIA Benefits for the new Part D drug plan.
I have an appt on 11/20- via phone- I have to call VIA BENEFITS and speak to a particular agent. Yet when I was on the phone with them the other day an agent admitted that none of the agents have direct lines anyway and he could enroll me right then. Really? I could really just sign up on line for my husband and get it done, but I do want to know more about the HRA account. I might just call them againbefore 11/20 and get it done.
Meanwhile- I have done all the work and they will get the commission...Wait until I ask them about the drug plans and find out what they don't know....SMH....
So much for agents- no offense to simpsontruckdriver- I know more than the ones I spoke to. I was an account executive for a health insurance company, so it is not like I am wet behind the ears- though I did not work with Medicare- I did commercial lines for large (and some small) employer groups many years ago.
Anyway, the VIA benefits agent said I should just call them after I move- have to get the Part D changed- that I knew- and then they will find me another M plan in NH. He said not to even call Empire. Ummm- NOT!
I did find something online that said to call the carrier 30 days before you move so they can tell you what your new rate will be. I mean- why change the plan and insurance carrier if you don't have to- especially if there is a possibility the rate will go down? That is what I am hoping for.
Also- not one of them even explained to me that Empire BCBS is the same company as Anthem BCBS (which is the equivalent in NH). I found this out on line myself. In fact- if I go on Empires website and put in the NH zip code, it immediately brings me to the Anthem website with the quotes! (Excellent website Empire has BTW)
So there you go- this is why I am on forums like this (and others) asking questions rather than depending on agents. One agent at BCBS simply told me he didn't know. Offered no help to find out. Was like talking to a dead rag.
For the life of me I don't understand how an agent would not know the answer to this simple question. It's not like people over 65 with a Medigap plan never move to another state!
And the customer service agents- reading a script that has nothing to do with anything. They cannot think for themselves. I had to tell one to stop dead in her tracks and just get me to someone who can answer the question. But no- they have to go through an entire script for 20 minutes (after your 10 minute phone menu) asking for all kinds of info like your name and address and date of birth, etc. - when all you have is a generic question-only to tell you they don't know anything.
Bottom line- when we move I am going to notify SS and the insurance carrier and then I am going to see what the rate is- hopefully they will be able to tell me- or I will wait for the bill- and then call VIA Benefits for the new Part D drug plan.
I have an appt on 11/20- via phone- I have to call VIA BENEFITS and speak to a particular agent. Yet when I was on the phone with them the other day an agent admitted that none of the agents have direct lines anyway and he could enroll me right then. Really? I could really just sign up on line for my husband and get it done, but I do want to know more about the HRA account. I might just call them againbefore 11/20 and get it done.
Meanwhile- I have done all the work and they will get the commission...Wait until I ask them about the drug plans and find out what they don't know....SMH....
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