Complaint Review: Humana - Louisville, Kentucky

That is what this thread is about. People getting ripped off by Humana. You are very lucky you have not had to suffer the agony of being fleeced by managed care companies. My prayers go out to the families of the victims of flight 442, all the starving children, victims of torture and oppression, BUT NOT to the CEOs of managed care companies. Not all the posters on this thread have safe secure homes, good jobs, healthy family members, and good food on the table. It would be really nice if we could all get along, but many of us are getting ripped off by Humana.

That is what this thread is about. People getting ripped off by Humana. You are very lucky you have not had to suffer the agony of being fleeced by managed care companies. My prayers go out to the families of the victims of flight 442, all the starving children, victims of torture and oppression, BUT NOT to the CEOs of managed care companies. Not all the posters on this thread have safe secure homes, good jobs, healthy family members, and good food on the table. It would be really nice if we could all get along, but many of us are getting ripped off by Humana.

That is what this thread is about. People getting ripped off by Humana. You are very lucky you have not had to suffer the agony of being fleeced by managed care companies. My prayers go out to the families of the victims of flight 442, all the starving children, victims of torture and oppression, BUT NOT to the CEOs of managed care companies. Not all the posters on this thread have safe secure homes, good jobs, healthy family members, and good food on the table. It would be really nice if we could all get along, but many of us are getting ripped off by Humana.

That is what this thread is about. People getting ripped off by Humana. You are very lucky you have not had to suffer the agony of being fleeced by managed care companies. My prayers go out to the families of the victims of flight 442, all the starving children, victims of torture and oppression, BUT NOT to the CEOs of managed care companies. Not all the posters on this thread have safe secure homes, good jobs, healthy family members, and good food on the table. It would be really nice if we could all get along, but many of us are getting ripped off by Humana.

I came here, after reading some news online. "A massive search is underway for an Air France jet carrying 228 people including two Americans from Rio de Janeiro to Paris believed to have gone down off the northeast coast of Brazil a few hours after takeoff." This may seem to be an extremely irrelevant response. Hear me out (p.s. I promise I am not trying to spark an argument with any of you...I Am the Law, I often do agree with your opinions). After reading that news story, and reading this posting right after, it kind of put things into perspective...for me. Instead of spending my time attacking others and getting frustrated by their seemingly uneducated posts...I will simply choose not to criticize. What right do I have to make assumptions about someone I haven't ever met, and more than likely, never will. We are alive (threw that in, in response to the author's daughter's update). We are (mostly) healthy, fed, clothed, housed, loved (hopefully). Yes, this is probably one of my more cliche'd posts :) but as it stands...it's the truth. Bottom line? In the whole scheme of things: is it really worth arguing about? To the daughter of the OP (whether or not you are "actually" the daughter; open for debate, but dont want to get into that discussion), I'm truly sorry you lost your mother. I lost 2 grandparents within the same 6 month period (I'm 26, and blessed to have had so long with them)...and the experience was physically painful for me. I realize I have probably opened myself up for ridicule...but that's ok. We'll never meet anyway ;)

Franzg's question: "Do you deny that managed care companies like Humana are receiving money from the 2009 taxpayer funded economic stimulus package (affectionately called the 'bailout' to us regular working American citizens) to cover recently unemployed clients?" If you do deny this, I'm willing to look at your evidence. My answer: I'm sure that there are probably some health insurance companies that may need a bailout. Humana doesn't and didn't receive one. Remember, I work for a hospital and I'm also a Humana member. I think I'd know if a bailout was on the horizon for Humana. As for your other comment, you want me to get proof that a Humana bailout doesn't exist? Shouldn't the question be, why don't you provide proof that Humana is getting one?

Franzg's question: "Do you deny that managed care companies like Humana are receiving money from the 2009 taxpayer funded economic stimulus package (affectionately called the 'bailout' to us regular working American citizens) to cover recently unemployed clients?" If you do deny this, I'm willing to look at your evidence. My answer: I'm sure that there are probably some health insurance companies that may need a bailout. Humana doesn't and didn't receive one. Remember, I work for a hospital and I'm also a Humana member. I think I'd know if a bailout was on the horizon for Humana. As for your other comment, you want me to get proof that a Humana bailout doesn't exist? Shouldn't the question be, why don't you provide proof that Humana is getting one?

Franzg's question: "Do you deny that managed care companies like Humana are receiving money from the 2009 taxpayer funded economic stimulus package (affectionately called the 'bailout' to us regular working American citizens) to cover recently unemployed clients?" If you do deny this, I'm willing to look at your evidence. My answer: I'm sure that there are probably some health insurance companies that may need a bailout. Humana doesn't and didn't receive one. Remember, I work for a hospital and I'm also a Humana member. I think I'd know if a bailout was on the horizon for Humana. As for your other comment, you want me to get proof that a Humana bailout doesn't exist? Shouldn't the question be, why don't you provide proof that Humana is getting one?

Franzg's question: "Do you deny that managed care companies like Humana are receiving money from the 2009 taxpayer funded economic stimulus package (affectionately called the 'bailout' to us regular working American citizens) to cover recently unemployed clients?" If you do deny this, I'm willing to look at your evidence. My answer: I'm sure that there are probably some health insurance companies that may need a bailout. Humana doesn't and didn't receive one. Remember, I work for a hospital and I'm also a Humana member. I think I'd know if a bailout was on the horizon for Humana. As for your other comment, you want me to get proof that a Humana bailout doesn't exist? Shouldn't the question be, why don't you provide proof that Humana is getting one?

Sue me if you wish. I have no reason to be scared of a blogger who post irrelevancies on this site. Do you deny that a majority of our managed care DOLLARS are controlled by a handful of managed care companies (less than 10)? I "googled" it, and yes, a majority of managed care dollars are controlled by less than 10 companies. If you disagree, show me a shred of evidence. I'm willing to look at it. I'm willing to bet it is an oligopoly. Do you deny that managed care companies like Humana are receiving money from the 2009 taxpayer funded economic stimulus package (affectionately called the "bailout" to us regular working American citizens) to cover recently unemployed clients? If you do deny this, I'm willing to look at your evidence. I certainly hope Humana would be transparent about its investments. If Humana is secretly investing our money in a scam, Humana would be liable. Are you insinuating Humana does not disclose its financial information? If you believe this, would not Humana be the liable party? Why even threaten me with a lawsuit? My post about how managed care is fiscally irresponsible did not even mention the word "Humana". I think you are just using bully tactics because you just are in love with Humana and its little corporate shenanigans. Managed care has failed us. There are still 40-50 million uninsured, and the cost still keeps skyrocketing. Managed care is fiscally irresponsible in many ways. Time for managed care to step down gracefully, and give competent people a chance.

Oligopoly, Franzg? Did you happen to research the definition of that word before you put it in your blog? Probably not. You act like a handful of carriers control the majority of the health insurance market. This is simply untrue. There are hundreds of health insurance carriers in this country. You have the internet, obviously, so Google it. There is no oligopoly. Junk bonds? I wasn't aware that you had inside information on what Humana invests their money in. I doubt Humana would risk involving themselves in something like that. Bailout? Here's a simple definition of "bailout" from our friends at Wikipedia: "A bailout is an act of loaning or giving capital to a failing company in order to save it from bankruptcy, insolvency, or total liquidation and ruin". Last time I checked, Humana was 85 on the Fortune 500 list and their stock has been rising for the past few weeks. Granted, everyone's stock doesn't look as good as it should now considering the bad economy. But, make no mistake, Humana received no bailout. Franzg, you believe, for whatever reason, that Humana has slighted you. I can't determine whether that's true or not, but that doesn't give you the right to outright lie on the internet. I would imagine at some point, someone from Humana is going to be checking the internet for something and stumble across your ROR's. It's almost a certainty that they will initiate a libel suit against you. My advice is: if you hate Humana so much and feel the overpowering urge to make up stuff about them, don't create a trail for a lawyer to follow.

I am happy for you. Not all of us are as lucky as you are. I, for one, have been screwed by managed care in the past. I hate all managed care companies. They are all bad. Managed care is an oligopoly which is not well suited to provide coverage for our citizens. Perhaps the managed care type of business model would work well for industries like cable TV providers, cellular phone companies, and internet providers. These industries are able to create demand to the point where a very inexpensive "bare bones" type product can satisfy the masses. Those that need extra services (like premium channels) have to pay extra. Since many are eager just to have basic cable, the system works. For our healthcare, this type of business model has proved to be a monumental disaster. Our tax dollars should not be shunted into junk bonds and failing Wall Street banks which need a bailout. Demand is only created with an increased in illness. Shareholders only get satisfied after carve outs and cutbacks. We end up with "bare bones" services which resemble those of a third world country. Healthcare is not only an essential to our well being, but also a highly scientific and technologically advanced industry that, if nurtured properly, can lead our democratic society back to the ranks of where it should be. At the top.

Franzg's response to my post.... "Good for you. Come up with more stories, and help guide consumers understand the need for Humana. I hope Humana still covers you, and I hope it didn't raise your premiums too much." I'm not sure what he means by this particular post, but I guess he doesn't like the fact that someone actually likes Humana. I'm pretty positive that he works for a rival insurance carrier because he is always screaming about how "evil" managed care is, but he only focuses his rage on Humana.

Franzg's response to my post.... "Good for you. Come up with more stories, and help guide consumers understand the need for Humana. I hope Humana still covers you, and I hope it didn't raise your premiums too much." I'm not sure what he means by this particular post, but I guess he doesn't like the fact that someone actually likes Humana. I'm pretty positive that he works for a rival insurance carrier because he is always screaming about how "evil" managed care is, but he only focuses his rage on Humana.

Franzg's response to my post.... "Good for you. Come up with more stories, and help guide consumers understand the need for Humana. I hope Humana still covers you, and I hope it didn't raise your premiums too much." I'm not sure what he means by this particular post, but I guess he doesn't like the fact that someone actually likes Humana. I'm pretty positive that he works for a rival insurance carrier because he is always screaming about how "evil" managed care is, but he only focuses his rage on Humana.

Good for you. Come up with more stories, and help guide consumers understand the need for Humana. I hope Humana still covers you, and I hope it didn't raise your premiums too much.

Franzg said, "Name one person who avoided bankruptcy because of Humana." Um, ok, how about myself? I won't go into the particulars of my surgery (privacy and all), but here are the figures involved for a 6-13-07 hospital claim that was filed for me with Humana. (Franzg, since you work for a health insurance company, I think you can understand these figures.) Premiums total for that year: 1066.10 (total is for myself and my family.) Charge: 76,183.27 Allowed: 10,424.82 Deductible: 400.00 (only claim with a deductible figure for the entire year) Humana paid: 10,024.82 Total member responsibility: 400.00 (Other claims after that for 2007 were covered 100%, by the way.) Oh yeah, Franzg, this is a total ripoff. By having a Humana policy, I only saved $75,783.27 (minus my premium.). Now I see the light! You're right about everything! Ok, enough sarcasm. You see my point. I make just over 90K a year and having to pay roughly 80% of my annual salary to pay off a medical bill would just be dumb, so if you want to campaign against Humana and managed care, that's fine, but you really need to look at the big picture. Some of us have a family and a mortgage to worry about.

my mother had blue cross medicare supplement ins for 11 months ,it cost 178.00 per month,during these 11 months she was in the hospital being treated for cancer,this paln did not pay out 178.00 total,towards medical cost for the intire 11 months,do not buy this ins,bedford ky

Name one person who avoided bankruptcy because of Humana. This client lost money to Humana. Humana was an irritant to this client, and they lost money. I'm sorry I can't agree that Humana protects you from bankruptcy. Humana is most interested in protecting itself from bankruptcy in our deepening recession.

So, Franzg said "Why give managed care all this money? What is it doing?" Apparently keeping people from going bankrupt from medical bills.

Why the need to be so upset? This person has a complaint. They paid for a service and got none. It was blamed on a computer glitch. Perhaps if Humana had the testicular fortitude to open a complaints department, maybe defending Humana on ripoff report would not be necessary. And you would no longer have to flame people who are trying to help the consumer cope with this lunacy. Humana received payments in the form of medicare "part D" from this consumer. Humana claims a computer glitch. Consumer has no coverage, and is paying for a useless plan. The consumer cannot complain to Humana. The person feels ripped off, and comes on ripoff report. We are being flamed, then being told we do not read our "certificates", and that our employers are at fault for buying a crummy plan. We are told it is the insurance agent's fault. We are told that all our physicians are idiots and frauds, and that original medicare is inferior to all this legalese and mumbo-jumbo. Whether Humana actually owns the hospital structure or owns the business management of the structure seems to be a burden on this argument. They still MANAGED the care (and money) of the client very poorly. Why can't Humana open a complaints department instead of squashing intelligent dialogue from consumers on "ripoff report"? PS- I think it is very important to note that Humana is never liable for denying payment or the outcome of your healthcare. Why give managed care all this money? What is it doing?

Ok, I'm probably spinning my wheels continuing to engage in this conversation, but I'll give it a try anyway...considering I'm the one that's accused of not providing facts (funny). Fact: Humana doesn't own hospitals. I stated earlier that we haven't in decades, and that unfortunately is close to true...it's only been 1 decade. My apologies. Fiction: 'Humana Inc. is the nation's largest investor-owned hospital chain' (New York Times, 1/29/09). - This article was written in 1990. I think you confused the day you researched the article with the date it was published...I guess it happens, even though the dates are 19 years apart. Need proof? Here's your link: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE3D8123DF931A35753C1A966958260 Fact: If the member was in Hospice, then Humana had nothing to do with it. Once a member enters hospice status, they revert back to Original Medicare AUTOMATICALLY. All claims related to the terminal condition are sent to Medicare-Hospice, and charges not related to the illness are billed to Original Medicare. Fiction: "The original poster would have done better, and may have lived, by keeping medicare and supplementing accordingly to suit individual needs." Fact: Medicare' is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. Fiction: This has anything to do with the original poster's problem Fact: Humana has never asked for or needed a bailout. We are expanding and our network grows daily. and now a number of Franz's claims on this site- Fiction: "More and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "Soon we may be bailing out these managed care companies" ; "That is why more and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "If we allow Humana's market share price to decline, it may have to sell its hospitals and equipment. It may have to layoff or terminate its healthcare employees...We may even have to bail Humana out with our taxes." ok you get the point Fact: Franz doesn't know anything about Humana beyond his/her own experience and assumptions, little about Medicare and how it operates, and I'm guessing is not a licensed insurance agent who knows what's economically best for a person, and what isn't. Now kind sir or madam, I have made my argument. If you would be so kind as to provide any factual evidence to support your claim...and please remember to check the date it was published and not the date you looked it up.

Ok, I'm probably spinning my wheels continuing to engage in this conversation, but I'll give it a try anyway...considering I'm the one that's accused of not providing facts (funny). Fact: Humana doesn't own hospitals. I stated earlier that we haven't in decades, and that unfortunately is close to true...it's only been 1 decade. My apologies. Fiction: 'Humana Inc. is the nation's largest investor-owned hospital chain' (New York Times, 1/29/09). - This article was written in 1990. I think you confused the day you researched the article with the date it was published...I guess it happens, even though the dates are 19 years apart. Need proof? Here's your link: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE3D8123DF931A35753C1A966958260 Fact: If the member was in Hospice, then Humana had nothing to do with it. Once a member enters hospice status, they revert back to Original Medicare AUTOMATICALLY. All claims related to the terminal condition are sent to Medicare-Hospice, and charges not related to the illness are billed to Original Medicare. Fiction: "The original poster would have done better, and may have lived, by keeping medicare and supplementing accordingly to suit individual needs." Fact: Medicare' is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. Fiction: This has anything to do with the original poster's problem Fact: Humana has never asked for or needed a bailout. We are expanding and our network grows daily. and now a number of Franz's claims on this site- Fiction: "More and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "Soon we may be bailing out these managed care companies" ; "That is why more and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "If we allow Humana's market share price to decline, it may have to sell its hospitals and equipment. It may have to layoff or terminate its healthcare employees...We may even have to bail Humana out with our taxes." ok you get the point Fact: Franz doesn't know anything about Humana beyond his/her own experience and assumptions, little about Medicare and how it operates, and I'm guessing is not a licensed insurance agent who knows what's economically best for a person, and what isn't. Now kind sir or madam, I have made my argument. If you would be so kind as to provide any factual evidence to support your claim...and please remember to check the date it was published and not the date you looked it up.

Ok, I'm probably spinning my wheels continuing to engage in this conversation, but I'll give it a try anyway...considering I'm the one that's accused of not providing facts (funny). Fact: Humana doesn't own hospitals. I stated earlier that we haven't in decades, and that unfortunately is close to true...it's only been 1 decade. My apologies. Fiction: 'Humana Inc. is the nation's largest investor-owned hospital chain' (New York Times, 1/29/09). - This article was written in 1990. I think you confused the day you researched the article with the date it was published...I guess it happens, even though the dates are 19 years apart. Need proof? Here's your link: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE3D8123DF931A35753C1A966958260 Fact: If the member was in Hospice, then Humana had nothing to do with it. Once a member enters hospice status, they revert back to Original Medicare AUTOMATICALLY. All claims related to the terminal condition are sent to Medicare-Hospice, and charges not related to the illness are billed to Original Medicare. Fiction: "The original poster would have done better, and may have lived, by keeping medicare and supplementing accordingly to suit individual needs." Fact: Medicare' is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. Fiction: This has anything to do with the original poster's problem Fact: Humana has never asked for or needed a bailout. We are expanding and our network grows daily. and now a number of Franz's claims on this site- Fiction: "More and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "Soon we may be bailing out these managed care companies" ; "That is why more and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "If we allow Humana's market share price to decline, it may have to sell its hospitals and equipment. It may have to layoff or terminate its healthcare employees...We may even have to bail Humana out with our taxes." ok you get the point Fact: Franz doesn't know anything about Humana beyond his/her own experience and assumptions, little about Medicare and how it operates, and I'm guessing is not a licensed insurance agent who knows what's economically best for a person, and what isn't. Now kind sir or madam, I have made my argument. If you would be so kind as to provide any factual evidence to support your claim...and please remember to check the date it was published and not the date you looked it up.

Ok, I'm probably spinning my wheels continuing to engage in this conversation, but I'll give it a try anyway...considering I'm the one that's accused of not providing facts (funny). Fact: Humana doesn't own hospitals. I stated earlier that we haven't in decades, and that unfortunately is close to true...it's only been 1 decade. My apologies. Fiction: 'Humana Inc. is the nation's largest investor-owned hospital chain' (New York Times, 1/29/09). - This article was written in 1990. I think you confused the day you researched the article with the date it was published...I guess it happens, even though the dates are 19 years apart. Need proof? Here's your link: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE3D8123DF931A35753C1A966958260 Fact: If the member was in Hospice, then Humana had nothing to do with it. Once a member enters hospice status, they revert back to Original Medicare AUTOMATICALLY. All claims related to the terminal condition are sent to Medicare-Hospice, and charges not related to the illness are billed to Original Medicare. Fiction: "The original poster would have done better, and may have lived, by keeping medicare and supplementing accordingly to suit individual needs." Fact: Medicare' is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. Fiction: This has anything to do with the original poster's problem Fact: Humana has never asked for or needed a bailout. We are expanding and our network grows daily. and now a number of Franz's claims on this site- Fiction: "More and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "Soon we may be bailing out these managed care companies" ; "That is why more and more physicians refuse to accept Humana insurance"; "If we allow Humana's market share price to decline, it may have to sell its hospitals and equipment. It may have to layoff or terminate its healthcare employees...We may even have to bail Humana out with our taxes." ok you get the point Fact: Franz doesn't know anything about Humana beyond his/her own experience and assumptions, little about Medicare and how it operates, and I'm guessing is not a licensed insurance agent who knows what's economically best for a person, and what isn't. Now kind sir or madam, I have made my argument. If you would be so kind as to provide any factual evidence to support your claim...and please remember to check the date it was published and not the date you looked it up.

I guess CMS is now the "bad guy". And me. I guess I was wrong about my facts about medicare. Please tell me what medicare is. If I am wrong, maybe others can benefit from your thoughtful, factual correction. By the way, CMS is "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service" (I hope). I guess managed care companies don't get any medicare dollars. Gee, I'm sorry. Then why the heck is CMS involved? You seem more interested in blasting my opinion than stating "facts". Why don't you help the poster? Its better than flaming others trying to give advice. As for Humana, why not just get rid of CMS, since Humana owns no hospitals, and is not subsidized by medicare. Humana must be pretty stupid. Maybe they SHOULD buy a hospital or two, since they are so d**n efficient. "Humana Inc. is the nation's largest investor-owned hospital chain" (New York Times, 1/29/09). Humana is a corporation. I guess what the previous post is trying to tell us is that Humana (a corporation) owns no hospitals. It is their investors. The original poster would have done better, and may have lived, by keeping medicare and supplementing accordingly to suit individual needs.

It's really sad that Franz is incapable of providing facts other than a cut and paste answer regarding Medicare. "Raiding" your Medicare dollars? Please do define "Raiding"? All MA, yes Medicare Advantage, plans are paid a per diem rate equal to what CMS anticipated would be spent on an individual. These companies make money because they are more efficient at putting those resources to use. Now I'm sorry if you have had a bad experience (probably with Humana since you seem to want to comment on every Humana report I've seen). But please, if you're going to make an "intelligent argument", make them intelligent and an argument. For any of those that question my claim on Franz's credibility, check his/her other posts. On numerous occasions, speaking as if they know what they're talking about, stating Humana owns hospitals. Humana has not owned a hospital in decades, just as I've stated before. But listening to this fact would be an "intelligent argument" wouldn't it? The fact is Franz doesn't know anything about the industry besides his/her own experience...has no idea how Medicare works beyond his/her own experience, but insists on speaking as if they do. Do your homework on companies you wish to bash on a report before you speak...

It's really sad that Franz is incapable of providing facts other than a cut and paste answer regarding Medicare. "Raiding" your Medicare dollars? Please do define "Raiding"? All MA, yes Medicare Advantage, plans are paid a per diem rate equal to what CMS anticipated would be spent on an individual. These companies make money because they are more efficient at putting those resources to use. Now I'm sorry if you have had a bad experience (probably with Humana since you seem to want to comment on every Humana report I've seen). But please, if you're going to make an "intelligent argument", make them intelligent and an argument. For any of those that question my claim on Franz's credibility, check his/her other posts. On numerous occasions, speaking as if they know what they're talking about, stating Humana owns hospitals. Humana has not owned a hospital in decades, just as I've stated before. But listening to this fact would be an "intelligent argument" wouldn't it? The fact is Franz doesn't know anything about the industry besides his/her own experience...has no idea how Medicare works beyond his/her own experience, but insists on speaking as if they do. Do your homework on companies you wish to bash on a report before you speak...

It's really sad that Franz is incapable of providing facts other than a cut and paste answer regarding Medicare. "Raiding" your Medicare dollars? Please do define "Raiding"? All MA, yes Medicare Advantage, plans are paid a per diem rate equal to what CMS anticipated would be spent on an individual. These companies make money because they are more efficient at putting those resources to use. Now I'm sorry if you have had a bad experience (probably with Humana since you seem to want to comment on every Humana report I've seen). But please, if you're going to make an "intelligent argument", make them intelligent and an argument. For any of those that question my claim on Franz's credibility, check his/her other posts. On numerous occasions, speaking as if they know what they're talking about, stating Humana owns hospitals. Humana has not owned a hospital in decades, just as I've stated before. But listening to this fact would be an "intelligent argument" wouldn't it? The fact is Franz doesn't know anything about the industry besides his/her own experience...has no idea how Medicare works beyond his/her own experience, but insists on speaking as if they do. Do your homework on companies you wish to bash on a report before you speak...

It's really sad that Franz is incapable of providing facts other than a cut and paste answer regarding Medicare. "Raiding" your Medicare dollars? Please do define "Raiding"? All MA, yes Medicare Advantage, plans are paid a per diem rate equal to what CMS anticipated would be spent on an individual. These companies make money because they are more efficient at putting those resources to use. Now I'm sorry if you have had a bad experience (probably with Humana since you seem to want to comment on every Humana report I've seen). But please, if you're going to make an "intelligent argument", make them intelligent and an argument. For any of those that question my claim on Franz's credibility, check his/her other posts. On numerous occasions, speaking as if they know what they're talking about, stating Humana owns hospitals. Humana has not owned a hospital in decades, just as I've stated before. But listening to this fact would be an "intelligent argument" wouldn't it? The fact is Franz doesn't know anything about the industry besides his/her own experience...has no idea how Medicare works beyond his/her own experience, but insists on speaking as if they do. Do your homework on companies you wish to bash on a report before you speak...

I also feel sympathy for the deceased. I believe the family member has acquiesced and considered the "case closed". Maybe a true ripoff has not occurred. I am offering advise so those may survive, and their family members may survive. We do have choices, and the right choice may mean the difference between life and death. Maybe opening some type of intelligent dialogue will help save a life. You may not think I have any knowledge on the topic. Maybe you believe I have not suffered a loss from a managed care company. You are unaware of my level of disability, or my experiences with healthcare. So be it. I can't predict your prejudice. Squashing intelligent discussion is downright unamerican. I have neither mocked the elderly nor derided the disabled in my responses. If you are eligible for medicare, please keep it. Especially if you are over 80 years old. Seek out supplements to pay for other needs medicare does not cover. Most competent physicians are accepting medicare. Fewer and fewer are accepting managed care. You may not think its important. I do. An elderly woman has lost her life, and a grieving daughter is suffering. This is Ripoff Report, by the way. In this case, you are the flamer.

I also feel sympathy for the deceased. I believe the family member has acquiesced and considered the "case closed". Maybe a true ripoff has not occurred. I am offering advise so those may survive, and their family members may survive. If you are eligible for medicare, please keep it. Especially if you are over 80 years old. Seek out supplements to pay for other needs medicare does not cover. Maybe opening some type of intelligent dialogue will help save a life. You may not think I have any knowledge on the topic. Maybe you believe I have not suffered a loss from a managed care company. So be it. I can't predict your prejudice. This is Ripoff Report, by the way. In this case, you are the flamer.

I'm ASHAMED that 2 adults are fighting over the internet like children! Will this turn out as a fist fight in person on youtube also? The one that was talking about the short bus and working at walmart....you should be ASHAMED of yourself! As a mature adult, I would never stoop to the level of making fun of handicapped people especially on the internet! You totally turned someones misfortune of losing her mother and getting stuck with a TON of bills into a childish "I know more than you" argument. Why don't you both take your information you have and type it once, let her take it in and then grow up! I hope to god neither one of you are American because if you are, you both are a disgrace to our country. I wouldn't call yourselves adults. BTW....I'm only 31.....grow up! As for the daughter of the lady who died. I am very sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and your family! I wish the best of luck to you all with the financial problems you are left with!

For those of us who are not familiar with the jargon, "MA" is supposed to mean "medicare advantage" (I hope). "PPO" stands for "Preferred Provider Organization". "HMO" stands for "Health Maintenance Organization". "Medicare" is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. I am deeply saddened that corporations who want to run an HMO or PPO are limited to only 5% profit after raiding our Medicare tax. I guess no one appreciates the hard work the HMOs and PPOs do to prevent "fraud". Truth is, if you are eligible for Medicare, you should keep it, and not give it away to a managed care company. Keep the original Medicare, and supplement with a plan that covers your specific needs.

For those of us who are not familiar with the jargon, "MA" is supposed to mean "medicare advantage" (I hope). "PPO" stands for "Preferred Provider Organization". "HMO" stands for "Health Maintenance Organization". "Medicare" is a service enacted on July 30, 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act. Eligible recipients need to be US citizens living in the US for 5 consecutive years. In addition, they need to either be over 65 years old, or under 65 with a disabling medical condition. Citizens who require regular hemodialysis, or suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) are also eligible. I am deeply saddened that corporations who want to run an HMO or PPO are limited to only 5% profit after raiding our Medicare tax. I guess no one appreciates the hard work the HMOs and PPOs do to prevent "fraud". Truth is, if you are eligible for Medicare, you should keep it, and not give it away to a managed care company. Keep the original Medicare, and supplement with a plan that covers your specific needs.

Medicare pays companies like Humana a per diem rate for members that enroll. We are capped at 5% profit...and pay taxes on that 5% to boot. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a majority of OUR tax dollars that go to Medicare, go to original Medicare, which in turn gets abused by both members and providers alike. Medicare has 2 jobs: pay claims and try to prevent fraud. MA companies have to use their profit to improve the product for the following year's plans. And actually, MA plans want the members to stay healthy. The healthier the members are, the less claims have to be paid and the more money can be used to reduce premiums (which will sell better), add benefits/incentives that Medicare cannot offer (once again will sell better), and improve the networks. I know it sounds like I drank too much of the corporate KoolAid, but on the Medicare side of things, we don't get away with too much (CMS makes sure of that).

No, I don't go off on my auto insurance. The corporation that I pay premiums to actually pays for their claims. I take my car in, it gets fixed, and the insurance pays for the work. However, I am sure there are auto insurance companies that are similar to managed care companies. By the way, I also have a warranty on my automobile. I also have health insurance, and pay $230 a month for it. I have it because I fear the huge price of hospitalization. I guess I'm also one of many who do not work for a Fortune 500 company that offers $30 per month healthcare from Humana. I also pay federal taxes to the tune of 35% of my income. Much of it is medicare tax. Much of that goes to companies like Humana. Before 1993, managed care was not an issue. The USA did not have socialized medicine then, either. I ask why is "socialized" medicine the only alternative to managed care? Just because managed care stinks like a full toilet does not mean we need "socialized" medicine. Why do we still have these out of pocket expenses after paying taxes and premiums? And why is my physician "wrong" and managed care companies "right" when making medical decisions? You get better care if you take care of yourself. Pay out of pocket as much as you can. It works, and you stay healthy. Get "insurance" for major illness (such as cancer) and hospitalizations. More and more physicians are not accepting Humana anyway.

Franzg, I have to ask. Do you even have auto insurance? Do you go off on auto insurance companies too? What about homeowners insurance? I was just curious because your state makes you have auto insurance, but you don't have to own medical insurance. Are they evil corporate fatcats, too? They must be because they have networks and deductibles as well. Socialized medical care is terrible, so if you like it so much, go live in those countries that offer it. I guess some people like high taxes and being on a waiting list for medical attention.

Yes, Humana owns many hospitals. If you are unfortunate enough to be charged $2000 per day for a hospital admission, remember it is the managed care company that owns the hospital, equipment and personnel. The managed care model does not work for those who suffer from medical illness. The US is lagging far behind other industrialized nations in the delivery of quality healthcare. The current legislation allows the large hospital corporations like Humana to make profits on your hospital bills, premiums, deductibles and prescription medications. Go ahead and get health insurance with Humana if you want this practice to continue. United Healthcare recently paid a settlement to rectify a "conflict of interest" claim. On further analysis, it seems these insurance companies are being exposed for their probable antitrust violations. There are several reasons why we all "freak" if we don't pay $300+ per month premiums to the juggernauts. One is fear that we will get stuck with a large Humana hospital bill. Read the other complaints on Ripoff report. Even Humana clients get stuck with huge hospital bills (as well as cheap ineffective treatment, high premiums and deductibles, and poor customer service).

Franzg, You are seriously advocating NOT having medical insurance? Um, ok. Have you even heard of the health care crisis in this country? We have millions of people stuck with tens of thousands of dollars of debt due to incurring medical expenses and not having any type of coverage. Let's take an average hospital stay for one night. Depending on where the hospital is and the specifics of the care you are receiving, it can cost well in excess of $2,000 per day. I don't know many people that can pay out of pocket for something like that. In addition, whether you pay out of pocket or have your carrier pick up the bills, your quality of care should be the same. I'm sorry that you feel that insurance is a rip off, but I'm sure you'll change your tune when you get stuck with a huge medical bill sometime. Personally, I'd rather just pay the twenty or thirty dollars a paycheck and have some peace of mind.

Franzg, You are seriously advocating NOT having medical insurance? Um, ok. Have you even heard of the health care crisis in this country? We have millions of people stuck with tens of thousands of dollars of debt due to incurring medical expenses and not having any type of coverage. Let's take an average hospital stay for one night. Depending on where the hospital is and the specifics of the care you are receiving, it can cost well in excess of $2,000 per day. I don't know many people that can pay out of pocket for something like that. In addition, whether you pay out of pocket or have your carrier pick up the bills, your quality of care should be the same. I'm sorry that you feel that insurance is a rip off, but I'm sure you'll change your tune when you get stuck with a huge medical bill sometime. Personally, I'd rather just pay the twenty or thirty dollars a paycheck and have some peace of mind.

Franzg, You are seriously advocating NOT having medical insurance? Um, ok. Have you even heard of the health care crisis in this country? We have millions of people stuck with tens of thousands of dollars of debt due to incurring medical expenses and not having any type of coverage. Let's take an average hospital stay for one night. Depending on where the hospital is and the specifics of the care you are receiving, it can cost well in excess of $2,000 per day. I don't know many people that can pay out of pocket for something like that. In addition, whether you pay out of pocket or have your carrier pick up the bills, your quality of care should be the same. I'm sorry that you feel that insurance is a rip off, but I'm sure you'll change your tune when you get stuck with a huge medical bill sometime. Personally, I'd rather just pay the twenty or thirty dollars a paycheck and have some peace of mind.

Franzg, You are seriously advocating NOT having medical insurance? Um, ok. Have you even heard of the health care crisis in this country? We have millions of people stuck with tens of thousands of dollars of debt due to incurring medical expenses and not having any type of coverage. Let's take an average hospital stay for one night. Depending on where the hospital is and the specifics of the care you are receiving, it can cost well in excess of $2,000 per day. I don't know many people that can pay out of pocket for something like that. In addition, whether you pay out of pocket or have your carrier pick up the bills, your quality of care should be the same. I'm sorry that you feel that insurance is a rip off, but I'm sure you'll change your tune when you get stuck with a huge medical bill sometime. Personally, I'd rather just pay the twenty or thirty dollars a paycheck and have some peace of mind.

Seems like a very serious issue, which has degenerated into name calling and accusations. I guess the Humana employee is defending the company by using a very offensive tone, which causes the victim to have defend herself, thus diluting the true issue brought up by the original post. It seems all health care coverage is a rip-off. It also seems that health insurance has little to do with "health". One can get very discouraged by thinking they have medical coverage, only to find out that their money is being held by a giant corporation who refuses to pay the necessary medical bills. The current managed care model (should be called managed money), seems to be detrimental to clients who pay these high monthly premiums. More physicians lately have decided it is best not to accept these managed care plans and only accept cash, check or credit. That way, everybody gets paid, good treatment is rendered, and the physician can prescribe a medication regimen tailored to the needs of the client. It would be good advice to not pay these ridiculous premiums (and co-pays) because of the issues of non- coverage. You save money in the long run by paying out of pocket. You also may avoid death or hospitalization, because you will get care delivered directly to you, rather than it being dictated by a corporation designed to manage your money.

Thought so.

'I am the Law" I just want to say that you are still free to post anywhere. I will not bother you.

'I am the Law' 'For some reason, my last post didn't make it through. That's ok.' Yes, it is. 'When I said 'So please, instead of acting like you've got five Y-chromosomes....' You said 'Another pure guess'. So, what you're saying here is that there is a strong possibility that you do have five Y-chromosomes.' Where did I say that? I can't find it. Nice spin though! 'Human males only have one. Having five would mean that that person would be deformed, overly aggressive, and intellectually impaired.' So what? 'You basically just admitted to the entire world that you're like that. You have officially failed.' Failed at what? Admitting to the entire world what I am like? I'm sure glad I failed! 'Now, just like the rest of the world with an IQ higher than a stale Pop-Tart, I'm getting bored with you, so I'm just going to quit responding to you.' Everyone got bored with you a while back and left. 'I've tried to show you the truth,' Sure you have! 'but oh well. Have fun taking the short bus to your job at Wal-Mart, no wait, that's too fancy... Kmart.' Pure guess, just like the research you have never shown us. Why don't you stay? You are so funny.

For some reason, my last post didn't make it through. That's ok. When I said "So please, instead of acting like you've got five Y-chromosomes...." You said "Another pure guess". So, what you're saying here is that there is a strong possibility that you do have five Y-chromosomes. Human males only have one. Having five would mean that that person would be deformed, overly aggressive, and intellectually impaired. You basically just admitted to the entire world that you're like that. You have officially failed. Now, just like the rest of the world with an IQ higher than a stale Pop-Tart, I'm getting bored with you, so I'm just going to quit responding to you. I've tried to show you the truth, but oh well. Have fun taking the short bus to your job at Wal-Mart, no wait, that's too fancy... Kmart.

'I am the Law', 'Look, I have come up with research to support my claim. All I'm asking is for some way to send it to you. Your insane rantings only make it seem like you don't want someone to educate you on the truth. (Like I did with the 'Betty Ross' situation.)' You didn't educate anyone. You had no clue Betsy Ross was who she was talking about. Admirable spin job though. 'If you don't want to give me an e-mail, that's perfectly fine, but provide me with some other way to get you this info.' No one wants you harassing them any other way either. You have demonstrated that you don't have a clue how to do research anyway. 'Otherwise, quit screaming at me on the internet.' Why should we quit? We are just responding to your senseless, useless posts that do not belong here. You will probably be screamed at every time you post anywhere because of your behaviour. Remember 'freedom of speech' your favorite law? You are not allowed to shut anyone up either. 'People at your minimum wage, burger-flipping job, may ignore that type of behavior, but I don't.' A pure guess. Prove it bonehead. Don't ignore it then! That is your choice! 'Another reason I don't provide my research findings here is because you'll just fire back with 'Well, you just typed that stuff, that doesn't mean it's true.' We learned how to do that from you. You do remember saying that exact thing in response to the single party recording list I provided don't you? We can now say the same thing to you! 'So, I want to get you a hard copy so you can see the truth with your own eyes and have no doubt in your mind that I am right.' No one cares about your non-research. 'So please, instead of acting like you've got five Y-chromosomes,' Another Pure guess. 'Why don't you provide me with that contact information and we'll see who's right or wrong. Or are you afraid?' We already dealt with that above bonehead. Why don't You provide US with that contact information and we'll see who's right or wrong. Or are you afraid 'I am the Law'? You need to stop begging. It makes you look like a 5 year old child. I don't think there is anyone left here to listen to you beg anyway. You drove them all out a while back. We don't Thank You.

Another reason I don't provide my research findings here is because you'll just fire back with "Well, you just typed that stuff, that doesn't mean it's true." So, I want to get you a hard copy so you can see the truth with your own eyes and have no doubt in your mind that I am right. So please, instead of acting like you've got five Y-chromosomes, why don't you provide me with that contact information and we'll see who's right or wrong. Or are you afraid?

Look, I have come up with research to support my claim. All I'm asking is for some way to send it to you. Your insane rantings only make it seem like you don't want someone to educate you on the truth. (Like I did with the "Betty Ross" situation.) If you don't want to give me an e-mail, that's perfectly fine, but provide me with some other way to get you this info. Otherwise, quit screaming at me on the internet. People at your minimum wage, burger-flipping job, may ignore that type of behavior, but I don't.

'I am the Law' 'After much research, I have still found that I am correct; recording by non-law enforcment agencies is illegal and inadmissable in court.' THIS IS A BLATENT LIE! You mean your 'much research' couldn't find the Google #1 ranked website on telephone recording? It is the first one on the Google list Genius. To assist you, look up a topic that you have never mentally connected with single party recording law. Look up 'single party recording law'. 'Give me some contact info and I will send my research to you.' You never did any research or you would have already provided it here. After you finally get your 'butt kicked' for the last time, you always tell another lie, ask for the contact information and for someone (who knows who?) to 'SUBMIT'.

Andromeda, my opinions about elderly people and that they should continue to work is even supported in the Bible itself. Hard to argue with that, isn't it? And no, I haven't been in any great war or great depression and experiencing either doesn't entitle you to a free ride. My war is a social one. I see younger people struggling to make ends meet as it is and now a good chunk of their paychecks go to support people that are fully capable of working. I feel that that's unfair and I'm sorry that you disagree with that. One of my friends has a severe seizure disorder and actually qualifies to be on disability his entire life and receive free government money. Does it sit at home and rake in this free cash? No. He decided that he still can work and works at a grocery store bagging groceries. Now that's a real red-blooded American there. My mother had brain cancer and actually had over ten fingernail-sized turmors in her head and still managed to not bleed the system. Not all old people are poor, bed-ridden husks of human beings, you know. If anything, working gives the elderly a sense of purpose and helps contribute to the economy. Working gets them up and moving which is beneficial to their health. So where is the problem here with my opinion?

After much research, I have still found that I am correct; recording by non-law enforcment agencies is illegal and inadmissable in court. Give me some contact info and I will send my research to you. The judge will just totally dismiss the case. Thank you for clarifying the Betty Ross thing; I sure do appreciate it.

1st of all, on THIS site there is 58 reports not 21 as you say. 2nd of all, In the state of AZ, a person absolutely can record another person as long as 1 party has knowledge of it! I know because I have done it! So don't speak for all states and jurisdictions. I will agree that SOME people do neglect to read certain paperwork that is crucial, trust me I know, I got millions of calls of people upset because their Ins. was cancelled and they wanted it back, when in reality they #1 have to wait until November, and #2 they got 3-4 reminders before we cancelled it, so yes I agree they need to pay better attention to their mail, contracts, etc. BUT, to say they're all lazy and all those horrible things you said, that's just terrible character, and I'm glad tohear you're not the one working with those people, because they don't deserve that, you don't know each individuals situation and to say they are all RICH, come on! I would honestly say, that about 85% of the medicare recipients I spoke to either had Medicaid too or they were on a Low income subsidy, now these were people all over the U.S. not just AZ, so your statement of all rich people are RICH, is just flat out FALSE! Now, for you to say that your surprised that I don't have the same beliefs as you with the whole Social Security issue, etc. You're right I'm 31, and I absolutely do NOT have the same views as you. Thats what 401K's and Mutual Funds and C/D's are for you start planning for your retirement in your 20's if not earlier, I started at 18, I will be retired with 80% of my annual income at age 59 1/2, and it has NOTHING to do with Social Security, did you fight in Vietnam or WW2, nope, didn't think so, did you go through the Great Depression? Nope didn't think so, our Senior Citizens did, and they deserve every bit of what they get! Now welfare is whole other subject, people who do not really need assistance milking it for all it's worth, and keep having kids so that they can get a bigger check, yes! I absolutely think thats a bunch of crap, but our Seniors have nothing to do with that! Do you have Grandparents? Do you share these views with them? I'm not replying to you anymore, because its seriously obvious that you totally get off on this! You have got to be spending tons of hours on the computer to gather all of thisinfo. and it's extremely apparant that thisis just a portal for you to take out yuor anger, and I am not going to be your punching bag, but to hear you using defensless old people as your punching bag, disgusts me to no end! You should really be ashamed of yourself! BTW: This is not the only place people come to complain, thats why I said a TON! It's Betsy Ross, not Betty, If I put Betty, I certainly didn't mean to, it's Betsy, and if you're 35, you should've known who I was speaking of, instead of beiong a smart a*s and putting the infantile comment about "The Hulk", but thats just another example of your anger issues and how this "SOMEHOW" makes you feel better about yourself! I feel very sorry for your wife!

I'm not going to really comment on the fight brewing above, but want to clear up a few things: Agent Error is very common, and is the easiest thing to blame on the insurance provider. Most commonly, an agent fills out the wrong election period on an application. Because the agent, if they are not located in the company's licensed sales department, has more experience with the prospective member, Humana submits the application to Medicare. At this point the policy is given an appropriate effective date from the date the application is recieved in order to assist the member. This is done on the good faith that the application is correct and will be approved. If the wrong election period is entered on the application, which sounded like an AEF (automatic enrollment form...an electronic application), then the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will reject the application and deny coverage. This code is entered into the system and the policy is terminated back to the effective date. That would explain the effective and termination date of the policy being the same. Unfortunately, there is a very short window of time in which to fix this error. Because the error was by the agent, not the company, certain restrictions are going to apply. The company must get an Agent Error Letter stating the error and allowing for correction, and must contact the company while the enrollment is still open. If this is sent in and found to be in order, the application is resubmitted with a correct election period and will normally be approved by CMS. What most members will not understand is that company hands, especially in the Medicare market, are tied on a number of things by government regulations and procedures. Certain medications, for example, are not covered by the Medicare Guidelines, and can't be covered under the Humana Medicare Formulary as a result. It isn't a company decision, but rather a government restriction. Back to the election period...and the only reason I'm really posting is to see if it helps someone in the future...this information must be given to Humana either A) during the election period OR b)during a CMS-granted "Special Election Period" allowing the member to enroll in a new plan. Outside of those election periods, there can be no coverage upgrade or downgrade during a year. It sounds as if the deceased, God rest her, had initially enrolled towards the end of the Annual Election Period, a time when people are allowed to choose their plan for the upcoming year. The error, however, was most likely not caught until AFTER December 31st of 2007, when she enrolled. Many agents will actually call prior to that date to be certain their client's application has been approved and allow for the fixing of any problems that may arise. In this case, it doesn't seem like that happened. After the end of the Annual Election Period, without the application being corrected by a letter of agent error sent to the company for a timely resubmittal to CMS, the only option is to attempt to gain a Special Election Period and submit a new application for coverage under that code. This is not a company policy. This is a government one. As for the "amount being charged for out of pocket coverage", that's also a CMS-dictated expense. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services...once again, not the company...assesses a Late Enrollment Penalty for any prospective member who, after starting to receive Medicare eligibility, is unable to prove Creditable Coverage for any time. What this means is that the prospective member had no pharmacy coverage for a period of time before enrolling. This is, once more, not Humana. What would have been sent with the letter notifying the member of the LEP would be a "Notice of Creditable Coverage" form the member could have filled out and resubmitted to the company to show creditable coverage. If that did not result in a CMS approved change to the lapsed period, then an appeal could have been requested from a 3rd party company paid by Medicare, not the company, to investigate the matter and make changes (if any) to that extra amount of money. This is regrettable, truly it is. I would suggest anyone lookign into getting coverage for the upcoming AEP (starting Nov 15th) check their agent's work, as well as call the companies and ask about their coverage options and what procedures could be made for any errors that may arise. A little known fact is that if you want Humana in November, but in December decide you want another company to cover you, you have until the 31st of December to submit the new application. During an election period, the last application submitted will be the one honored. The circumstances are regrettable, and I would suggest, if nothing else, that a complaint detailing all of the aspects still be made to the company itself. It can't change the past, but it CAN result in training and assessments to representatives at the company to make sure members and agents are made aware of everything. General rule of thumb, though, is to always call BEFORE the election period ends to ask what the status is for your policy. An approved policy, even one that starts two months later, will show up in most companies' systems easily enough, just with a future effective date. The ultimate responsibility is on the agent who files the application and the member themselves to be certain they can receive coverage, and the best way to do this is start researching plans and options with your agent and by calling the companies prior to the election periods opening. I hope this may help someone in the future. Forgive my lack of name, but I work for an insurance company that frowns on employees coming on websites to offer advice.

Becki, Becki, Becki .... Obviously you didn't read my response on the other ROR rebuttals that I have left so, I'll leave a response here, too. 1. The fact that I feel that elderly people should contribute to our society instead of just sitting around doing nothing is my opinion. You seem to be a champion of First Amendment rights, so please let me exercise my right to free speech, too. People in their 60's, 70's, and 80's now had the priviledge of retiring when they were probably 55 or 60. People in my age bracket (35 years old if that's old enough for you) will literally have to work until the day that they die thanks to the overburdening of our Social Security and welfare system. So, in my opinion, anyone who can work should work, despite their age. It shocks me to think that you would not share the same opinion as me because this effects you, too assuming you're around my age. 2. Recording someone without their consent is against the law anywhere and never admissable in court unless the recording was conducted by a law enforcement agent. Submit to the facts. You obviously have the internet; look it up. 3. Looking through the files on ROR, every single insurance company that I can think of has someone whining about them. The number of reports about Humana is actually quite low. Only twenty. (21 actually, but one report was just some guy complaining about his boss's personality, so I didn't count that one.) Twenty out of tens of thousands of members, perhaps millions... that's pretty good customer satisfaction if you ask me. It's been my experience that when people complain about their insurance policy, it's because they didn't read their policy before they bought it, something wasn't covered in it, and now they don't want to accept responsibility for their own negligence. By the way, I love how you say that there are "TONS" of complaints about Humana. Research the numbers of other companies before you make a statement like that. 4. I've told you before that I don't work for Humana. My wife and I have done medical coding for a very long time and we have dealt with insurance carriers constantly so that does make me a bit of an expert. I don't know why you keep calling me a Humana employee. (I do believe I chose "employee" once or twice on the rebuttal type by accident, so my apologies if that threw your world into absolute chaos.) 5. Who is this Betty Ross women that you mentioned in your rebuttal? I looked this up on the internet and the only thing that came up for that name was that she is a fictional comic book character. Apparently, she is the women who married the guy who became The Hulk. Well, I have to go. Becki, you have a lovely day.

1st of all: I am law: who thinks he is the knower of all things, and obviously very young and IGNORANT: You shouldn't be at an insurance company that deals with Senior Citizens, I don't think the founder of the company who started this god for saken place on the basis of HOSPICE CARE, because his mother was mistreated, would be very proud to have a schmuck that bad mouths 81 year old ladies on the internet! FYI: The law for recording people, mr smart guy! is that ONE person has to know that they are being recorded, in her case there was TWO people that knew about the recording! In some states there is no law at all, you can do what you want as far as that is concerned, so why don't you actually research things before YOU go making yourself look like a complete idiot! These "old people" that you speak so poorly of, worked their tails off for this country and for MORONS like you, how could you even mutter the words that they should work like the rest of us and they're all rich!!??? LOL! You are as infantile as they come! It does not surprise me one bit that Humana has an ingrate like you working for them! ELDERLY people have very limited incomes, why don't you actually talk to your Grandparents and ask them how things were in their day and why it was difficult for them to put away anything for retirement, UHHH maybe because they were raising their families, fighting wars and poverty, ever heard of " The Depression" or were you not paying attention that day, or your still in High School! Why don't you do some research instead of getting on here, and making yourself look like a complete MORON, just to brown nose the Company exec.'s. I'm sure you print all of these and take the into work, just to show them that you're just as crooked as they are! As for the other person saying that 1st she's an 81 y.o. lady and then she's her daughter, A NICE HUGE SLAP, for you, are you illiterate? Do you read? Why don't you go over the whole thing before making accusations to a woman who just lost her Mother! You IDIOT! Now, as for the poor woman, who has had to read all of this CRAP! I am so sorry for your loss, and I know it can be very difficult dealing with these situations, and that ignorant lady saying why didn't you pay for it? I'm sure you did everything you could, and obviously she has never been in that situation or even has a family to support, to know that, that isn't always possible, as much as we would love for it be, we're not all RICH, like some people claim, we should be, but that guy working for Humana, He is FAR from rich, trust me, and he never will be, because they willmake d**n sure of it! Good luck to you and your family! If I were you I would go to the Attorney General's website in your state, and file a complaint (God, knows there's TONS of them on there for Humana). As for that idiot saying something about your moms mispellings, lol! I would much rather mispell on the internet than have no life and comment on elderly people in a VISIOUS way and be a heartless moron, so let him comment all day long, it should actually give you satisfaction that you're not as pathetic as he/she is! I mean PATHETIC! I would definately not let this go, it's just like people say, it only takes ONE person to make a difference in society, look at Rosa Parks, or Betty Ross, Without the people who give it all they can to right a wrong we would be in HUGE trouble. I reported them to the Atty. General, and many others, and I won;t stop until something is done about it! My situation is a little different from yours, I had the unpleasant pleasure of working for that corrupt comapny.

all I have to say is that old people are all rich. All of them. No exceptions. They do what they can to live off the sweat of younger people. We toil away while they sit at home watching Wheel of Fortune. The fact that she had to pay for something out of pocket doesn't arouse any sympathy from me at all. Old people should have to work just like the rest of us. Maybe then when these leeches start contributing, our country won't be in such economic troubles.

I am so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Dealing with any insurance and or medicare situations is one of the most frustrating things in life to deal with. to the person above who stated eldery people are one of the most richest people on earth. Your sure need a reality check buddy. I had one parent who died living in an senior citizens home last November. She had not been feeling well, which we did not find out til after her death because with only Medicare Insurance it was hard to get in to see a doctor who took Medicare, so she did not tell anyone but one person. She had all of $333 in her checking account upon her death and a third of that would have gone to her rent that month except she died right before it was due. Now before people scream that she should have saved for retirement. I agree a 100% however, 4 yrs before she left an extremely abusive marriage to a man who refused to save, demanded every reciept for every purchase down to gum, did not allow her to work (had to be submissive for church), did not allow her to have friends unless they were from her church and then he did not allow her to make phone calls so they could talk unless he was around. She did leave, but only when at the age of 77 she was afraid he was going to kill her. So many situations occur and not all elderly can afford insurance, long term health care depending on their situation. So please do not make blanket statements like all elderly are "rich". Geesh. My mom did the best she could to leave him and she had four free years from him in another state, but it was too late to be able to save much being the fact that she only recieved a meer $400 a month from soc security. Again, I did not mean to digress from YOUR pain. I am so sorry and I wish that things had gone better for you. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Peace my friend, Cat

Kerrie, first you start out your original report with "I am an 81 year old lady ..." Then, suddenly you are the 81 year old lady's daughter ... You have clearly misrepresented yourself on this website, and likely in your entire story. By the way, if it was truly the inability to pay for medications that caused your mother's death, then why didn't you buy them for her??!! She took care of you for 18+ years of your life, how about reciprocating now that you are an adult?

Just wanted to tell you all that: #1. My mother was using my site to complain about her Insurance because she didn't want to have a spot of her own. #2. Humana did respond with an apology that they admitted to placing my mothers start date and ending date the same thus stopping her insurance the same day it was begun. #3. Because we couldn't afford to get her medications she passed away May 29th of 08. #4. Am I upset with them? Yes more than you can imagine. Am I going to do something about it? What's the use? You never can win anyway and all the money in the world could never bring this wonderful woman back to me. CASE CLOSED

I still work at 70 and know that they have a new management company that seems to make mistakes more often than not. I have the Humana prescription plan and I was unaware of the increase in cost of the plans. Depends on which one, but they still seem to mess up sending prescriptions via US Mail. I'm wondering if it will get better. People her age are at a disadvantage and a complaint should be filed against them for what they are doing to her. When I voiced my complaint and stated I wasn't going to deal with them and they could expect a legal problem things got better. These programs are a maze for older and chronicly ill people. The lawyer has no idea what it means to be in this position. Only if they are hired do they see the reality of this.

I still work at 70 and know that they have a new management company that seems to make mistakes more often than not. I have the Humana prescription plan and I was unaware of the increase in cost of the plans. Depends on which one, but they still seem to mess up sending prescriptions via US Mail. I'm wondering if it will get better. People her age are at a disadvantage and a complaint should be filed against them for what they are doing to her. When I voiced my complaint and stated I wasn't going to deal with them and they could expect a legal problem things got better. These programs are a maze for older and chronicly ill people. The lawyer has no idea what it means to be in this position. Only if they are hired do they see the reality of this.

I still work at 70 and know that they have a new management company that seems to make mistakes more often than not. I have the Humana prescription plan and I was unaware of the increase in cost of the plans. Depends on which one, but they still seem to mess up sending prescriptions via US Mail. I'm wondering if it will get better. People her age are at a disadvantage and a complaint should be filed against them for what they are doing to her. When I voiced my complaint and stated I wasn't going to deal with them and they could expect a legal problem things got better. These programs are a maze for older and chronicly ill people. The lawyer has no idea what it means to be in this position. Only if they are hired do they see the reality of this.

I still work at 70 and know that they have a new management company that seems to make mistakes more often than not. I have the Humana prescription plan and I was unaware of the increase in cost of the plans. Depends on which one, but they still seem to mess up sending prescriptions via US Mail. I'm wondering if it will get better. People her age are at a disadvantage and a complaint should be filed against them for what they are doing to her. When I voiced my complaint and stated I wasn't going to deal with them and they could expect a legal problem things got better. These programs are a maze for older and chronicly ill people. The lawyer has no idea what it means to be in this position. Only if they are hired do they see the reality of this.

You not being able to afford medications is funny. Elderly people are some of the richest people in the country. You can't convince me that this wasn't an agent mistake. Submit to the facts and admit your agent doesn't know what he's doing. By the way, taping someone on the phone without their knowledge is illegal. I hope Humana is pressing charges against you for doing that. I also hope that they subpoena records from ripoffreport.com where you admit that you broke the law. Have a nice day.

Sorry, sweetie, it still sounds like an agent error to me. Because you got numerous letters confirming termination of the plan with different dates on them, that right there tells me your agent is feeding Humana different information at different times. Humana sends out a letter when an insurance plan is cancelled, so think to yourself, where would Humana get all of those cancellation dates from? Your response is probably going to be "they made them up", so I eagerly await your response to this. By the way, recording someone on the phone without their consent is VERY illegal, so next time you break the law, don't advertise it on the internet (even with all of those spelling errors).

Like usual a person talks with out knowing the facts: Fact 1: My agent and I were present together when we filed for this company and all DATES were ENTERED CORRECTLY: Fact 2: Humana acknowleged and it is on tape that THEY made the so called mistake: Fact 3: We have in out pocession 6 taped messages stating how they need to change a code to correct this but it never gets done. Fact 4: After receiving the last letter from them May 9th telling me that I requested to Medicare to take them off as my carrier for drugs we immeadiatly notified Medicare and they are also upset because as of this date I'm still listed with Medicare on having Humana as my carrier and absolutly NO REQUESTED has been submitted. And to the Rebuttle persons second update! NO COMPANY should charge a person a penelty for that person paying their own bills. I paid for every dime of my medications from day one and now when I need the help I am being punished for taking care of myself and not depending on others. That is just pure simple rape by a Insurance company and Bull Crap: And for the third person that says get a lawyer? In the next 3 months I will be gone anyway and the Insurance company already said that they can keep this in the court system for the next 20 years so what would I do with the money at that point in time. Anyway if I need help now with my medications I surely can't afford an attorney.

Like usual a person talks with out knowing the facts: Fact 1: My agent and I were present together when we filed for this company and all DATES were ENTERED CORRECTLY: Fact 2: Humana acknowleged and it is on tape that THEY made the so called mistake: Fact 3: We have in out pocession 6 taped messages stating how they need to change a code to correct this but it never gets done. Fact 4: After receiving the last letter from them May 9th telling me that I requested to Medicare to take them off as my carrier for drugs we immeadiatly notified Medicare and they are also upset because as of this date I'm still listed with Medicare on having Humana as my carrier and absolutly NO REQUESTED has been submitted. And to the Rebuttle persons second update! NO COMPANY should charge a person a penelty for that person paying their own bills. I paid for every dime of my medications from day one and now when I need the help I am being punished for taking care of myself and not depending on others. That is just pure simple rape by a Insurance company and Bull Crap: And for the third person that says get a lawyer? In the next 3 months I will be gone anyway and the Insurance company already said that they can keep this in the court system for the next 20 years so what would I do with the money at that point in time. Anyway if I need help now with my medications I surely can't afford an attorney.

Like usual a person talks with out knowing the facts: Fact 1: My agent and I were present together when we filed for this company and all DATES were ENTERED CORRECTLY: Fact 2: Humana acknowleged and it is on tape that THEY made the so called mistake: Fact 3: We have in out pocession 6 taped messages stating how they need to change a code to correct this but it never gets done. Fact 4: After receiving the last letter from them May 9th telling me that I requested to Medicare to take them off as my carrier for drugs we immeadiatly notified Medicare and they are also upset because as of this date I'm still listed with Medicare on having Humana as my carrier and absolutly NO REQUESTED has been submitted. And to the Rebuttle persons second update! NO COMPANY should charge a person a penelty for that person paying their own bills. I paid for every dime of my medications from day one and now when I need the help I am being punished for taking care of myself and not depending on others. That is just pure simple rape by a Insurance company and Bull Crap: And for the third person that says get a lawyer? In the next 3 months I will be gone anyway and the Insurance company already said that they can keep this in the court system for the next 20 years so what would I do with the money at that point in time. Anyway if I need help now with my medications I surely can't afford an attorney.

Like usual a person talks with out knowing the facts: Fact 1: My agent and I were present together when we filed for this company and all DATES were ENTERED CORRECTLY: Fact 2: Humana acknowleged and it is on tape that THEY made the so called mistake: Fact 3: We have in out pocession 6 taped messages stating how they need to change a code to correct this but it never gets done. Fact 4: After receiving the last letter from them May 9th telling me that I requested to Medicare to take them off as my carrier for drugs we immeadiatly notified Medicare and they are also upset because as of this date I'm still listed with Medicare on having Humana as my carrier and absolutly NO REQUESTED has been submitted. And to the Rebuttle persons second update! NO COMPANY should charge a person a penelty for that person paying their own bills. I paid for every dime of my medications from day one and now when I need the help I am being punished for taking care of myself and not depending on others. That is just pure simple rape by a Insurance company and Bull Crap: And for the third person that says get a lawyer? In the next 3 months I will be gone anyway and the Insurance company already said that they can keep this in the court system for the next 20 years so what would I do with the money at that point in time. Anyway if I need help now with my medications I surely can't afford an attorney.

yeah, welcome to the american health care system. get a lawyer, suing is the only way youre going to settle this.

For the gentleman or lady filing the report stating that Humana is charging you more because you didn't have prior health insurance, this is common place and far from illegal. Auto insurance companies do this constantly. I think you're thinking about this backwards, they aren't imposing a penalty because you didn't have prior health insurance, they're revoking a reward for not having continous coverage.

The problem is obvious. Your agent files your information with the insurance carrier. ALL information about you and when the plan begins COMES FROM THE AGENT. It's not like Humana just makes up dates. Any change that the agent requested made a confirmation notice go out through the mail to you. Humana is just as much a victim as you here. Agents only care about commission and not the accuracy of their records. I am tired of people thinking that companies are just looking to hurt people and blasting their reputation on the internet just because they can. This is clearly the agent's fault. Bad mouth the appropriate party next time.

In my article about what this worthless company is doing to me I forgot to add this little detail. When they notified me that I was a member with my Card and Welcome pack I received a letter one week later that stated that if I didn't in fact have coverage in the year of 2007 THEY would impose a penalty on me. Now how can they demand money from me when I was paying money out of my pocket for the medications I needed. This just doesn't make any sense to me. To put this plainly why can a company charge you a penalty fee when I paid for all of my expenses the year I had nothing to do with them???? That seems to be to me fraudulant and a unethical practice and a way just to place more money in their pocket. A RIPP OFF