I had a doctor's office receptionist imply that I was financially delinquent for using the exchange.

[Gravitycollapse]

I've been dealing with this piece of shit for a week now. I had scheduled an appointment to see a recommended therapist and ran into a road block when I found out she was out of network. The receptionist immediately canceled my appointment and called only after she'd done so to tell me I had the wrong insurance.

I told her that I had been experiencing issues with my insurance plan and would be switching to another and that I wanted her to keep the appointment I had made because it was several weeks out which gave me plenty of time to find a plan which covers the therapy. She refused rather passive aggressively and told me to call back when I had made the change.

As I anticipated, I switched my plan in about 30 minutes on the phone and now the therapist is back in network. Since I haven't received my new insurance card yet, I was told to give the doctor's office my old information and when it was run it would process under the new plan. I called the office back to reschedule the appointment and was told by the receptionist that she felt "uncomfortable" without my new group number. She said she would call the insurance the next day to verify what I had said (which is implying that I lied).

The next day she called back and said she had verified what I'd said. And here's the fucking kicker. I'll give this verbatim:

"By the way I just wanted to warn you that since you are using a plan from the exchange, if you are delinquent in paying your premium by even a day, they will refuse to cover your visit."

"...Yeah, if you are suggesting that I myself am financially delinquent, I'm not. My premiums are paid in full."

"No, no, no, I'm just warning you."

"Cool. Well why don't you go ahead and put me back on the schedule like I asked yesterday."

I'm thinking about filing a complaint but don't know how to do that without going through the receptionist.

[PowerToThePeople]

1. Definitely a repuke

I think a complaint is in order. Talk directly to the therapist when you see them.

[Lars39]

2. Type a letter and hand deliver to your therapist.

[Gravitycollapse]

4. The problem is I'm so busy at work that I can't make the delivery in person.

I could barely manage the 5 PM appointment after letting my work know in advance. And it's all the way across town.

[Lars39]

9. During next therapy session, maybe?

If I understand correctly, there is a 90 day grace period.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

3. I thought there was a provision in the law that allowed for a grace period on premium payments. nt

[Gravitycollapse]

6. There probably is such a clause. This receptionist sounds like a grade A asshole.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. The receptionist is a stupid fucking reichwingnutsoid asshole who hates Obamacare. nt

[Gravitycollapse]

11. Hmmm that's actually a good idea.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

8. Tell the therapist during your visit.

I had a receptionist read me the riot act when I cancelled an appointment with less than 24 hours notice. When she took a breath I told her how sorry I was that my mother had not checked with her first before having a stroke and being taken to the hospital (true that).

When I needed physical therapy after a second surgery I told my doctor (who owned the practice) that I would NOT be using his PT facility if that employee was still working the front desk. Needless to say the problem got solved quickly. Employees like that should be coached for improvement or removed.

[Hekate]

10. This behavior is outrageous and unprofessional. I hope you take the time to write that complaint...

...and see it gets delivered to the right person. Best of luck.

[KT2000]

12. I would blame the therapist

for this. I doubt the receptionist is coming up with this herself. The therapist and other practitioners have prepared for the ACA, likely attended seminars to look out for the trouble spots. They want to be paid and may feel the need to communicate this to the client to make sure they do.
I wouldn't like it either but that is the way things are now.