Primary Insurance

[kgmom219]

I had two clients call the Medicare BCRC phone number and successfully get their Blue Cross group health plan removed as their primary insurance and replaced with Medicare as primary.

If Blue has termed them, it will work.

The issue is when the carrier hasn't termed them. Then its a disaster.

 

[Travis Price]

Sigh.
Calling BRCR is not going to help, they can't change that info.

I do two things:

1) If they've been retired for a bit, check with HR to make sure they termed (usually it takes about 2-4 weeks to term, because you paid for insurance in your check usually)

2) If they have termed, have them call BRCR.

I don't think being proactive hurts anything. The guy is already retired and he knows where he stands. Sometimes we do things just for peace of mind... even if it won't help with an immediate fix.

 

[somarco]

If Blue has termed the m, it will work.

The issue is when the carrier hasn't termed them. Then its a disaster.

THIS ^^^ was what I encountered . . . group plan still showing me covered, even though there were no payroll deductions for my "coverage" AND claims submitted to the carrier were DENIED.

That is when providers contacted me because my claims were not being paid. Provider submitted to Medicare, then Medicare denied the claim and sent it back to provider, the provider refiled the claim with the group plan, who likewise denied it.

Took several months to straighten out.

 

[shooter]

I have gone through the same issues since last May when I turned 65.
I called Medicare twice, and both times, I was told the issue would be
fixed.
I called Blue Cross, asked to be taken off the group plan.
They were not receiving premiums from me but still showed me
as being covered.
Really how?

I started telling any medical provider I used, to be sure and file
with Medicare and not Blue Cross.
I received a statement this week from Blue Cross, this week, a year later
claim denied.
This is one year after calling and talking to both Medicare, and Blue
Cross several times.
I just call the medical provider and have them refile with Medicare.