Anthem

My hip replacement surgery was denied as not medically necessary and my surgery was canceled, last minute. I have severe arthritis. My doctor appealed, but was denied. I also appealed, and was also denied. I made sure I answered every excuse to the letter, for example, I tried non-surgical treatments for at least three months. They say I didn’t state “for at least three months”, but I did. I was also denied in 2017, but for a different reason. It is inhumane to put someone through the pain, inconvenience and expense of preparing for surgery, and then have it cancelled. I believe discrimination is occurring, but I’m not sure why. My family has had this same insurance policy since 1992, through my husband’s union, Metal Trades Local 638. I believe BCBS has violated their contract.

My mom was complaining about pain in her abdomen since 2015. Every time the pain was excruciating she went to the hospital. The doctors did what they could for her but they needed to see deeper into her abdomen. So they filed for an MRI with Anthem and she was denied. This went on and on until May of 2018. The doctors say MRI and Anthem continues to deny her. When she was finally approved for MRI the doctors found a massive tumor on her pancreas that started to attach to her surrounding organs. The doctor that performed the surgery said that she was lucky. Any longer and her life would have ended. It's been a month since her surgery. Now they are denying her rehabilitation. The doctors and nurses at Toledo Hospital found out what the insurance company did and was furious about the whole ordeal. Anthem is terrible coverage when it comes to the seriousness of someone's life.

I'm writing a negative review on the pages of each of the companies: CVS Caremark, Walgreens, and Anthem for their mishandling of prescription claims. My Anthem insurance plan switched to CVS Caremark for handling prescriptions in January 2018. I went to Walgreens, my usual pharmacy, to refill my prescriptions during my coverage period. On several occasions, the prescriptions I had filled went through without a hitch at Walgreens, with my normal co-pay. Several months later, I received a $500 bill from Anthem saying I owed them for those prescriptions. They stated that since I went to Walgreens and not CVS to get my prescriptions filled, I owed them the full price of the prescriptions. However, there was never a flag at the Walgreens counter telling me I could not fill my prescriptions there. They went through and allowed them to be filled, not ever informing me they were not covered by my insurance.

Anthem is the worst insurance I have ever had. Just got it a few months ago. They will not pay for prescription medicine I need because it’s not on their list? Even though we were told all medically necessary “preventative” RX’s will be covered with a small copay. Apparently, Depression, Anxiety and ADHD are not medically necessary, and medicine is not considered preventative. I am so upset I want to make a case about someone attempting to harm themselves due to being denied the proper medication for a mental illness that was completely under control with prescription medicine for 25 years.

Terrible. Every month have to fight and be declined for medication necessary for health. This is in a top tier plan. Never renewed Dental, Cancelled Dental, and they have continued to charge me, will not allow me into my online account and the member services advises that cancellation must be in writing but they provide no address. This is an obscene abuse of patient welfare and finances.

Every time I submit a claim at the message center, it logs me out continuously. When I mail it in, the claim goes into the black hole, you can't even call them up to reference the claim you submitted and ultimately and no one can help. There is no one to email regarding technical support. Call them is virtually impossible with hours and hours of waiting.

I have been working with my dental provider since March to get my complaint filed. Several times we have been told they have everything they need to review the claim, only to find out later that the claim cannot be processed until they get something else or something different. It has been resubmitted so many times it has gone to appeal. I was assured they had everything they needed. Guess what? Today I found out they don't. When I insisted that we had sent in everything that exists, the rep said maybe something just wasn't good enough. On top of that, they have my old mailing address on file. Both my HR department and I have attempted to change it. The rep told me it 'takes time' to get through to other departments, maybe a week--and he had no answer when I advised it has been about 3 weeks since our requests.

They will not pay for prescription medicine I need. They will not pay for dental treatment I need. I'm a childhood mass murder survivor, have a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, other sequela, such as PTSD. ** in large amounts, 60 - 80 mgs per day, is capable of quelling the worst of my symptoms, which are terrible, indeed. Anthem tells my neurologist's nurse that my "plan" allows for only 30 mgs per day. This astonished and bewildered my pastor, who commented, "Plan?! How can anyone 'plan' for something like that?!"

I had a prostatectomy seven years ago. Subsequent PSA tests showed negligible levels for several years, but a few months ago rising PSA levels were noticed. My first doctor in Golden Gate Urology ordered a prostate cell specific PET scan to localize the metastasis, Anthem denied this diagnostic method. In the absence of diagnostic evidence, the doctor at Golden Gate Urology, told that 60% of recurrence happened in prostatic bed and recommended radiotherapy (RT) of prostate bed or systemic hormone therapy. After second opinion consultation in Stanford, we found out a clinical trial for a diagnostic technology (MPSA-PET). Through this diagnostic technology, the presence of a single focal metastasis outside of prostate bed was confirmed while the prostate bed itself was negative.

I had a baby in 2016 and added my son to my insurance within the 30-day period required. The hospital billed Anthem and they denied my month-old son insurance and when the hospital sent me a bill I contacted them and they said I would need to have Anthem process the claim. I called Anthem, they informed that the hospital would have to re-submit the claim. Another month later it still wasn't taken care of and so I called Anthem who proceeded to do a 3-way call with me and the hospital on the line. How it didn't get taken care of then, I have no idea. Fast forward two years later, I receive a court summons from a debt collector. I immediately call Anthem and the representative on the phone immediately saw the problem when he pulled my account before I even told him this story.

When I was searching for medicare part C insurance I chose Anthem because the ad brochure said they cover 1 chiropractic visit per month. This is not true. After pre-authorize by doctor, they deny payment consistently. When the doctor at the medical center pre-authorized a minor procedure, the medical procedure was performed on me and billed to Anthem. After submitting their claim 3 times Anthem continues to deny payment. Because I chose Anthem, I am factually uninsured. Even though I pay every month, nothing is covered. Anthem is an insurer in name only. Next October I can get out of this trap.

Ok over almost 30 years I've had Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. Well I started a new job 12/4/2017 and said yes. They have Blue Cross so it shouldn't be that difficult. I even signed up for the exact same coverage from previous job that had Blue Cross Blue Shield. Ok I had to verify my marriage and my dependents which I thought was normal cause I've done it before. Well they didn't like my marriage certificate so we had to send end our 1040 tax information and guess what? There was a problem with that too. So while we were going back and forth trying to verify my wife (who also works at same place) and middle daughter were dropped from insurance. So we finally talked to my HR rep and they said send them info, they could fix our problem and they did help. We got a confirmation that they were verified and back on my insurance.

Insurance Dental Coverage - I just received a notification that Anthem Blue Cross Blue cancelled my coverage. The cancellation took effect on April 1, 2018 and the notice was not sent until April 9,2018 not even allowing me a change to correct the issue. They did not receive my payment due to the fact that I did not receive an invoice, I did not receive any warning notices, just a cancellation notice 9 days AFTER the fact. I am unable to enroll until the next enrollment period. This is unacceptable that I will have to wait that long and Anthem made absolutely no attempt to contact me until it was too late. This is unacceptable when there is such a consequence that they made no effort to notify my of the error. So now I will not have any insurance until Jan. 1, 2019.

My employer recently switched to Anthem. I was told to search the “find doctor“ as a guest to find out if my doctor was included. Doctor’s name was on the list. However when my insurance went into effect we were on a very specific limited plan of that did not include this doctor. My doctor happens to be a psychiatrist that knows my history. Now I’m in crisis, can’t get into a doctor and Anthem doesn’t cover an inpatient facility anywhere near me.

I have literally battled non-stop with this company for the last 5 months. Blood tests that are FEDERALLY required when you are pregnant (HIV test, other STD panels) they refuse to cover and don't consider it preventative care when in fact it is and is a part of prenatal care. I recently had a genetics test to prepare myself and fiancé in case we had to go through what my uncle did, my family is a deletions syndrome carrier as well as Down Syndrome, my fiancé is a Down Syndrome carrier as well. Because of the genetic mutations on both sides, my doctor wanted the Natera test done, I was told at most I'd end up paying 200 out of pocket. Ok no biggie.

They cancelled my enhanced premium for dental and vision by mistake and because it is not open enrollment I can't get it back. They won't admit their mistake. Awful customer service. Spent all day on the phone with Anthem. They kept switching me from person to person. Can't wait till open enrollment to switch plans.

My family has 5 family members on Anthem insurance. One child has had multiple claims denied because Anthem cannot click a button that will say the member does not have other insurance. Claims have been resubmitted after calling and supposedly having it fixed only to be denied for the same reasons.

I'm a senior, I've paid tens of thousands of dollars to Blue Cross and Blue Shield in the last 35 years. The last time I had coverage with them prior to 2016-1017 where I specifically CHOSE them based on past experience, they didn't seem that bad. THIS time however, wow, corporations are considered people now and this one, like most, is psychopathic. They are not in the health insurance business to help the consumer in any way, they are in it to make obscene profits off of your blood and sweat, and put tons of your money into their shareholder's and management's pockets.

We have been told we can only get our prescriptions from two sources: Walmart... that is always out of meds. Or the 90 day supplier through the mail. Advising all who want to get their scripts from whichever supplier they want. I'm willing to pay a little more for great service and not having to wait for supplier to be supplied by their supplier. Not yelling. Just want all to see this: IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU CALL YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS OFFICE. Make a complaint and have them call Anthem. You should have the right to buy wherever you want. Last I checked I live in the great USA!!!

They paid to the doctor for an appt. that never occurred. I called multiple times over period of three month asking them to fix that error, that charge is still on my account. I even got bill from the doctor asking to pay him $8 for the appt. I never had. In the meantime I was working on lowering my cholesterol and paid for the test myself to see if method I was using worked. My cholesterol is within normal range now, however it took me two month of faxing and e-mailing after finally they informed me that my claim was denied.

I have used Anthem for a number of years and would recommend avoiding them at all costs. The customer support will lie about what is covered and not have any culpability. They did to me and were not held responsible. After submitting several documents many times (after Anthem lost them or claimed they didn't receive them), I went through first and second level appeals, only to be turned down for claims that they simply lost or did not disclose phone records for. Of course they always say... "We can't be responsible for what our reps say!" Catherine ** handled all of them. She did report all the calls I made. How disgusting to be the criminal lackey for a company that purposefully leaves off information on appeals and shows no consideration for the time and effort the insured has gone through to even get the information in their hands. My experience has been that this company serves itself and no one else and does so at a high cost to the consumer.

Unfortunately, customer service is offshore and communication with persons who do not understand English can be quite challenging. Had a surgery and was constantly called by regarding alternate solutions for the purchase of medications, after-care if necessary and request to confer with insurance specialist regarding conditions that gave rise to surgery. Constantly calling me before a surgery to take advantage of discounted options was alarming and bothersome. Notwithstanding that I declined all offers, my medical bills were paid.

I had Anthem for 16 years before retirement and they were excellent. I'm Medicare primary, with Anthem secondary through My retirement with State of California. Overall very happy.

It is awful, I paid like 300 for group ins and now I pay the same and the government pays about an additional 700 for a plan that is 7500 deductible and everything goes to deductible if it not a will visit, insurance companies cleaned up on this deal. They tripled their premiums so we pay the same and then the government pays 2x the old premium and now Anthem has dropped St Louis out of the coverage area.

They are our secondary Ins. and never had a problem of not making up the difference Medicare did not pay. We have a very good rate, and a PPO. So far the Doctors on our plan have been very good.

Anthem Blue Cross has become horrible. They are constantly raising their rates and never pay a claim. Their insurance is set up so that you end up paying and they pay nothing either by denying charges, deductible or out of network, even though a hospital is in their network. I was in and out of hospitals and doctors over a dozen times in 2017 and Anthem never paid a dime. I had to pay it all. I had to stop going to my asthma doc, my cardiologist visits. So, I changed to Cigna for 2018. Premiums are $5000 per year less than Anthem.

My worst problem is defeating weight reduction. I am not able to receive help needed for effective progress through Anthem...according to representatives.

This company is about one thing: money at any cost. I have had them question every prescription and visit. The latest is that I paid a doctor who doesn't deal with insurance (smart guy) $720 for 3 hour-long visits. Our contract stipulates that they are to pay 70% of this visit. They are sending me a check for $51. You read that correctly. Here's their fancy Trump math: They won't pay for the first visit, since it included a diagnosis and tests. That was the most expensive visit. It included an hour of therapy too, but because I had a diagnosis done too, they won't pay for it.

I have Anthem through my employer. The company has been very good about paying any billings, and they sent a payment made notice each billing. I recommend this company.

I would recommend Anthem with confidence to anyone researching coverage. In my experience, they have been a great service provider. Just be sure to research the medical groups, for that is where you will see differences of quality of care.