My wife's pregnancy was my first big introduction to the world of doctors, offices, and insurance companies. Yes, I have dealt with them in the past but not for a period of 9 months or so. I am more accustomed to your normal doctor visit here and there. Nothing could have prepared me for what had happened over the past 9 months and just recently as well.
The entire pregnancy began with a couple of blood tests that showed up negative while a week or so later, they showed positive. The problems began then when the office processed her information under an incorrect members ID. Let me explain to you how my insurance company works but first, let me tell you who my insurance company is. I am not afraid to tell you that my insurance company is Cigna. A company that many people have told me are great however I have yet to feel a positive vibe from them. The way Cigna works is that their version of a memberID is simply my SSN with a number attached at the end, such as 01 or 02. Obviously, my ending number is the 01 while my wife's is 02. The problem with the doctor's office is that they processed the claim under my information as if I had my blood drawn for a pregnancy test.
This same type of problem occurred later on with my wife's gynecologist office where they once again, filed the claim under my information. I may be the first man ever to receive a gynecological exam. Yippee for me. Possibly even better than an exam, a few months later, I was billed for an ultrasound. Yes, an ultrasound of my unborn son, that apparently lived in my belly. Once again, I may be the first man that had a baby in his belly. The insurance claim is proof I tell ya.
These issues are not uncommon and happened more than previously mentioned and I see no reason why they will stop. The way Cigna has their memberIDs setup is simply ridiculous. Now with Rylan being born he is simply 03 so for all I know, I may get billed for a circumcision. What does Cigna have to say when I call them up bitching that I'm getting charged for something not physically possible? They simply state, "it appears to have processed incorrectly and we will send it back for reprocessing." In the meanwhile, I have doctor's offices huffing down my back wanting their money.
These issues were all nothing, compared to what happened most recently. Now with my knowledge of Cigna, I made sure then before my wife delivered my son that I would know exactly how much my deductible and whatnot would be. I was told over 3 times that it would simply be $150 per day. A great deal it seems. When the hospital called a month or so prior to delivery, they were telling me it would be $500 + 10% of the bill. Excuse me? So I called Cigna up once again and they again confirmed only $150 per day. My wife and I left the hospital with a whopping $150 bill. Now 4 weeks later I have begun receiving bills saying that I owe in the range of $1000. Back to calling Cigna, and what do they say? "It appears to have processed incorrectly and we will send it back for reprocessing." Well isn't that nice. I now have the hospital wanting their $1000+ while I sit here remembering what the lady told me at the hospital. She basically told me that they are trigger happy about sending people to collections if the insurance company doesn't pay up within 30 days. Well the 30 days is nearly here and all I can do is sit back. What a great insurance company I have. Thank you Cigna, for causing unneeded stress in my life.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone. I had a wonderful time going to my great aunts house for the day. I had a chance to meet so many new people including my great grandma and grandpa. They are both really nice people and I cant wait to see them more often. My grandma holds me so well and loving. She even gave me a couple of kisses that almost beat mom and dads kisses.
This week was pretty exciting, I had the chance to meet my great grandmother. Boy is she nice. She can sing really well and holds me nicely. 
