Humana Insurance CO., Humana Health Care Plans, Humana will Delay, Delay, Dellay DOCTORS PER AUTHORIZATION. Louisville Kentucky

I work for Humana. What is the issue? I'll do what I can to help.

They also answer the phone. They have a fax machine.

What they DON'T do is raise my payments for no reason or deny me service.

This post exposes the frustration Humana clients go through trying to get a simple prescription filled.

Please read original complaints before posting. These irrelevancies are getting tiring.

Ok, Franzg, I have to ask... Why you are so against your health insurance policy being in writing?

You'd think you'd want something in writing so you can see what's covered and what isn't.

Your auto insurance policy is in writing. So is your property policy. Life insurance policies are also in print.

Wait, I know why you hate them. It's because it's a constant reminder of your own laziness. You didn't read the contract, and when the terms of the contract start to take shape, you complain about it.

Well then, you shouldn't have signed it.

God help you if you ever get a mortgage.

So, since I'm right and you're so violently wrong, I'm not responding to your blogs anymore. They're to easy to argue and I need a challenge.

Humana costs too much. Their system is faulty. All Humana claims to be responsible for is peddling a legal "certificate" that it waves in front of your face when we have an illness.

Humana does not have the willingness (or the capability) of handling ANY complaint. (We just read this in the last post).

Humana needs to go. It is a multi-billion dollar joke.

Grievance - A complaint about some aspect of plan or provider operations

Appeal - A request for the reconsideration of a provided service or claim.

Basically, the difference is are you asking for something or not. The volume of mail received at that P.O. Box is handled by a company which processes all the letters received, scans them, and sends them to a screening unit that then forwards it to the appropriate department. Don't ask me how I know this, just accept that I do. On the back of your Explanation of Benefits, and in your Evidence of Coverage, there's information on the Grievance and Appeals process. Although state guidelines vary, Medicare guidelines state that Humana (and any Medicare carrier) must respond to any appeal received within 60 days of it being processed for medical claims, and 7 days for prescription drug complaints. If they do not, they are "out of compliance" and subject to fines from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or colliqually "Medicare".

Try sending a complaint to that mailbox. You will receive a letter stating that the company received it, and in that timeframe either a letter giving you a determination of the case or advisement that it has been forwarded to a government agency, not Humana, for further review because Humana either "upheld" their initial determination or could not make a decision abou the case.

The appeals process does not stop with that one letter you send to Humana, it goes on. That's how Medicare Advantage appeals work.

Best of luck in resolving whatever complaint you may have, and I am very sorry to hear of your trouble.

I am concerned about managed care being wasteful, and not being clear about why it needs 31% of all the healthcare income spent in the US.

I think many Humana clients complain on this site because they are upset about the way they are treated by managed care. I do not believe there are illegal "ripoffs". People don't read the fine print, and they get upset because if they are healthy they pay thousands to cover a few hundred. I believe they are justified, and I feel the same way.

Now that managed care will be bailed out by our taxpayer funded stimulus package, you can rest easy and keep your blogging job alive. We can continue to battle about insignificant details, or we can try to educate consumers to read the fine print and express their concerns or objections about the cause of this frightful situation in the first place.

The reason why Humana has no complaints department and is inaccurate about its coverage is because it would be detrimental to Humana to be any other way. If the clients actually find out what legally binds them in these printed "certificates", they would soon realize they are being sold something that may not live up to what it claims to be.

Regardless of the legality or fine print, our services lag behind other nations, we remain grossly underinsured, yet we continue to feed the managed care kitty.

That is my concern in this matter. Sorry you don't agree.

I am concerned about managed care being wasteful, and not being clear about why it needs 31% of all the healthcare income spent in the US.

I think many Humana clients complain on this site because they are upset about the way they are treated by managed care. I do not believe there are illegal "ripoffs". People don't read the fine print, and they get upset because if they are healthy they pay thousands to cover a few hundred. I believe they are justified, and I feel the same way.

Now that managed care will be bailed out by our taxpayer funded stimulus package, you can rest easy and keep your blogging job alive. We can continue to battle about insignificant details, or we can try to educate consumers to read the fine print and express their concerns or objections about the cause of this frightful situation in the first place.

The reason why Humana has no complaints department and is inaccurate about its coverage is because it would be detrimental to Humana to be any other way. If the clients actually find out what legally binds them in these printed "certificates", they would soon realize they are being sold something that may not live up to what it claims to be.

Regardless of the legality or fine print, our services lag behind other nations, we remain grossly underinsured, yet we continue to feed the managed care kitty.

That is my concern in this matter. Sorry you don't agree.

I am concerned about managed care being wasteful, and not being clear about why it needs 31% of all the healthcare income spent in the US.

I think many Humana clients complain on this site because they are upset about the way they are treated by managed care. I do not believe there are illegal "ripoffs". People don't read the fine print, and they get upset because if they are healthy they pay thousands to cover a few hundred. I believe they are justified, and I feel the same way.

Now that managed care will be bailed out by our taxpayer funded stimulus package, you can rest easy and keep your blogging job alive. We can continue to battle about insignificant details, or we can try to educate consumers to read the fine print and express their concerns or objections about the cause of this frightful situation in the first place.

The reason why Humana has no complaints department and is inaccurate about its coverage is because it would be detrimental to Humana to be any other way. If the clients actually find out what legally binds them in these printed "certificates", they would soon realize they are being sold something that may not live up to what it claims to be.

Regardless of the legality or fine print, our services lag behind other nations, we remain grossly underinsured, yet we continue to feed the managed care kitty.

That is my concern in this matter. Sorry you don't agree.

I am concerned about managed care being wasteful, and not being clear about why it needs 31% of all the healthcare income spent in the US.

I think many Humana clients complain on this site because they are upset about the way they are treated by managed care. I do not believe there are illegal "ripoffs". People don't read the fine print, and they get upset because if they are healthy they pay thousands to cover a few hundred. I believe they are justified, and I feel the same way.

Now that managed care will be bailed out by our taxpayer funded stimulus package, you can rest easy and keep your blogging job alive. We can continue to battle about insignificant details, or we can try to educate consumers to read the fine print and express their concerns or objections about the cause of this frightful situation in the first place.

The reason why Humana has no complaints department and is inaccurate about its coverage is because it would be detrimental to Humana to be any other way. If the clients actually find out what legally binds them in these printed "certificates", they would soon realize they are being sold something that may not live up to what it claims to be.

Regardless of the legality or fine print, our services lag behind other nations, we remain grossly underinsured, yet we continue to feed the managed care kitty.

That is my concern in this matter. Sorry you don't agree.

Franzg, if you have a policy with Humana that isn't sponsored with an employer, then, yes, Humana does bill you for their services (that's what your premiums are for). However, member responsibilities such as deductibles and copays are collected by the health care providers, not by Humana. Providers have their own billing people to persue members that don't pay those types of liabilities. This is common sense.
I have to know; now that you admit that you're a Humana member, what happened to make you so bitter about them?

I'm self employed.

You are a monumental moron.

You are inaccurate and incorrect.

Please stop posting your garbage on this site.

Humana takes my money out of my bank account. I have the bank statements to prove it.

Stop lying to consumers, please.

Your premiums go to back your employer, Franzg. Humana just gets one check from the client (the employer) every month. How much of that bulk amount is employer versus employee contributions is determined by the employer. Whether or not a member actually paid a provider their member responsibility on a claim is between the member and the provider. Whether or not premiums are coming out of an employee's check is up to the employer to determine. The only collections attempt Humana would make is to the employer themselves if they didn't pay for merely having their plan.

Read ripoff report about consumer being threatened court action by Humana employee.

Read ripoff report about consumer's credit being ruined due to Humana employee mistake.

If it doesn't collect anything from consumer, where does my friggin' monthly premium go?

Franzg, again, if the member doesn't pay the member responsibility portion; it's not Humana's collections department that will contact the member. It's the provider's billing department and, assuming the member doesn't pay it after a long time, the next party will be the collections agency for the provider. Humana doesn't collect money from members; that's between the member and provider. Humana's sole responsibility is to calculate the claim and maybe pay the provider. (Franzg, before you wet yourself over the "maybe" portion of that comment, I just want to say sometimes the employer themselves pay providers directly.)

As for the information in this particular blog, I'm afraid I can't comment since the author is just ranting and not giving any solid information. I'm always willing to give advice when I can, but I don't have much to work on here. If we had more specific info, I'd see what I can do.

Franzg, again, if the member doesn't pay the member responsibility portion; it's not Humana's collections department that will contact the member. It's the provider's billing department and, assuming the member doesn't pay it after a long time, the next party will be the collections agency for the provider. Humana doesn't collect money from members; that's between the member and provider. Humana's sole responsibility is to calculate the claim and maybe pay the provider. (Franzg, before you wet yourself over the "maybe" portion of that comment, I just want to say sometimes the employer themselves pay providers directly.)

As for the information in this particular blog, I'm afraid I can't comment since the author is just ranting and not giving any solid information. I'm always willing to give advice when I can, but I don't have much to work on here. If we had more specific info, I'd see what I can do.

Franzg, again, if the member doesn't pay the member responsibility portion; it's not Humana's collections department that will contact the member. It's the provider's billing department and, assuming the member doesn't pay it after a long time, the next party will be the collections agency for the provider. Humana doesn't collect money from members; that's between the member and provider. Humana's sole responsibility is to calculate the claim and maybe pay the provider. (Franzg, before you wet yourself over the "maybe" portion of that comment, I just want to say sometimes the employer themselves pay providers directly.)

As for the information in this particular blog, I'm afraid I can't comment since the author is just ranting and not giving any solid information. I'm always willing to give advice when I can, but I don't have much to work on here. If we had more specific info, I'd see what I can do.

Ask for "collections department". You will be connected with no questions asked.

Humana has paid for claims in the past, then later "denied" them and has ruined members' credit as a result. (see "Ripoff Report"). Sometimes over a year later.

It can threaten to send you to court. It can send a collection agency after you. (see "Ripoff Report"). It can damage your credit rating (see "Ripoff Report").

Maybe you should read the customers' complaints before responding.

Ask for "collections department". You will be connected with no questions asked.

Humana has paid for claims in the past, then later "denied" them and has ruined members' credit as a result. (see "Ripoff Report"). Sometimes over a year later.

It can threaten to send you to court. It can send a collection agency after you. (see "Ripoff Report"). It can damage your credit rating (see "Ripoff Report").

Maybe you should read the customers' complaints before responding.

Ask for "collections department". You will be connected with no questions asked.

Humana has paid for claims in the past, then later "denied" them and has ruined members' credit as a result. (see "Ripoff Report"). Sometimes over a year later.

It can threaten to send you to court. It can send a collection agency after you. (see "Ripoff Report"). It can damage your credit rating (see "Ripoff Report").

Maybe you should read the customers' complaints before responding.

Franzg,

Humana doesn't have a "collections department to shake you down". If a member neglects to their member responsibility on a claim, that's between the health care providers and the members.

"Customer service" at Humana does not field any complaints. You can be connected to their collections department from "customer service".

According to Humana customer service 800-448-6262, you must file "grievances and appeals" to a PO Box in Kentucky.

You must be a member of Humana to file a written complaint to the PO Box in Kentucky.

This member cannot get medications covered without prior authorization from a Humana "doctor" who denies medical necessity for their treatment.

The client CANNOT call customer service to file a complaint. He or she must write a letter to a PO Box.

I urge you to call customer service to see if this client's woes can be addressed. I guarantee the only available "customer service" will be a collection department trying to shake you down.

Humana Grievance and Appeal
PO BOX 14546
LEXINGTON, KY 40512.

Humana customer service 800-448-6262. (For complaints, too.)

Any other questions?

Humana stock price Feb 2008: about $87

Current Humana stock price: about $20

More than likely, it is the Humana shareholders that are whining in their crying towels right now. They desperately need the government to bail them out, and it will come in the near future.

After the bailout, maybe you will allow the taxpayers to complain about managed care.

As for the original post, I believe that if Humana opened a complaints department (or perhaps a small cubicle with a phone and a fax machine), Humana would not have to hire people to accuse its customers of whining, physicians of being greedy, or employers of being stupid. Perhaps it could actually deliver the service it is paid to provide.

Seriously? You seriously think that Humana pays people to sit in front of a computer all day and fire back at people (most of the time quite rudely) who are unhappy with Humana? I guess you conspiracy theorists didn't notice that there's only 25 blogs about this company on ROR and it seems to me that it wouldn't be very cost effective considering Humana has millions of members who don't whine like little babies because they didn't read their policy. Millions of members versus 25 unhappy grumps; what is that, like, 0.000001% customer dissatisfaction? Of course, any business has a small demographic of people who hate them, but it seems to me that Humana has great satisfaction.

Humana has no complaints department. Members may file "grievances" in writing which no doubt sit around in a moldy PO Box until the client dies or coughs up xtra $$ out of pocket.

Humana also hires bloggers to "stop the bleeding" because people have no way to file complaints, except to online forums. The bloggers are hired to tell us that you are just whining, and we should read our "certificates", and that our doctors are morons and receiving kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies which guide their prescribing practices.

It is too bad that we have to suffer through this managed care era. We give monthly portions of salaries to these corporations, who do nothing but blame us, our employers, and our physicians.

Humana has already been paid- it is done automatically. It takes it out of our salaries. Its job is to take our money to provide healthcare services. Instead, a computer denies the services, because a "certificate" clearly states it. This is a conflict which seems to make the managed care system dysfunctional.

The consumer cannot freely seek medical treatment coverage to suit our individual needs. The managed care model favors "in network" treatment (as determined by our employers???) in order for our money to remain in the profitable managed care company. "National" healthcare is not the only alternative.

How about excluding the corporate middleman?

Well, there's obviously no sense in talking to people here on ROR. No matter what I say, uninformed consumers will always find it easier to subscribe to their conspiracy theories about how the world works. But, before I go, let me just reiterate a few things. And then, I will leave you to your paranoid and ignorant opinions.

1. I don't work for Humana. I am not an independent contractor that associates with them. I have been a Humana member for three years with no complaints and a medical coder/biller that has worked in that field for over twelve years, so I think that makes me somewhat of an expert over most people on ROR when it comes to insurance practices.

2. Insurance carriers, including Humana, can not deny a claim "because they want to". That is, hands down, the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your certificate is a legal document that can not be circumvented by the whims of the company. People, we're talking basic contract law here. Unfortunately, most people don't bother to check benefits before they sign up with their plan and then they whine about it when the terms of the agreement take shape. Read it before you buy it. I cannot stress that enough. Do that for any legal agreement that you enter into. Your certificate is on file with your benefits office and also online if you have want to read it word for word.

3. The provisions of your coverage are undeniably 100% determined by your employer. They decide who the company is going to use as an insurance carrier, your premiums, the network and coverage area of the plan, what is covered, and what limitations and exclusions the policy has. (including any denied medical codes) Again, this is clearly written in your certificate. If you really want to spit your venom at someone for the terms of the policy, that's where you should go. Your insurance carrier just enforces the plan your employer wanted and pays the claims.

4. If you bloggers hate your carrier so much, don't sign up with them. No one is forcing you to become a Humana member. Also, for you people that dislike the concept of health insurance, why don't you move to countries that have "free healthcare" and see what that's like? After a few months of paying 50% taxes and being on a medical waiting list for months on end, I'm sure you'll change your tune. Insurance companies, as far as I'm concerned, are demonized just like the police; no one likes them until they need them.

5. As for you Micheal Moore fans who saw the movie "Sicko", please research the "Humana court case" before you blog about it. You'll notice that Mr. Moore is embellishing that situation quite a bit. (which is a nice way of saying that he is lying through his teeth.) He, like some ROR bloggers, is just trying to start controversy, but he is doing it for profit.

6. If a claim denies, or you feel it didn't pay the way it should have, please call Humana's customer service. If you feel the need to dispute the claim, you must do so in writing. This is a Dept. of Insurance guideline, not a Humana rule. The statute for dispute is six months past the processing date of the claim. Their address is Humana Grievance and Appeals, P.O. Box 14546, Lexington, KY 40512. The customer service line is 800-448-6262. This is on every Explaination of Benefits sent out by Humana. Enough with the "Humana doesn't have a complaint department" garbage. Legally, all insurance carriers must have a grievance process.

7. Humana and other carriers are routinely audited by the government. I'm sure if there was something illegal or immoral going on there, it would've come to light by now. If you don't believe me, why don't you read up on what happened to United Healthcare with their claims processing issues?

8. Any claim that goes under a medical review is reviewed by a medical director; someone with equal, but probably more medical training than your doctor. If something gets denied, you can be rest assured it's for a perfectly valid reason. Very often providers over perscribe drugs and services just to line their own pockets, so if something gets denied by a medical director, I would suggest calling Humana for details.

Well, that's about it. Frankly, I'm tired of trying to help people out and having them accuse me of being a hired Humana rep or just not listening and being downright rude, so don't look for my help here anymore.

Well, there's obviously no sense in talking to people here on ROR. No matter what I say, uninformed consumers will always find it easier to subscribe to their conspiracy theories about how the world works. But, before I go, let me just reiterate a few things. And then, I will leave you to your paranoid and ignorant opinions.

1. I don't work for Humana. I am not an independent contractor that associates with them. I have been a Humana member for three years with no complaints and a medical coder/biller that has worked in that field for over twelve years, so I think that makes me somewhat of an expert over most people on ROR when it comes to insurance practices.

2. Insurance carriers, including Humana, can not deny a claim "because they want to". That is, hands down, the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your certificate is a legal document that can not be circumvented by the whims of the company. People, we're talking basic contract law here. Unfortunately, most people don't bother to check benefits before they sign up with their plan and then they whine about it when the terms of the agreement take shape. Read it before you buy it. I cannot stress that enough. Do that for any legal agreement that you enter into. Your certificate is on file with your benefits office and also online if you have want to read it word for word.

3. The provisions of your coverage are undeniably 100% determined by your employer. They decide who the company is going to use as an insurance carrier, your premiums, the network and coverage area of the plan, what is covered, and what limitations and exclusions the policy has. (including any denied medical codes) Again, this is clearly written in your certificate. If you really want to spit your venom at someone for the terms of the policy, that's where you should go. Your insurance carrier just enforces the plan your employer wanted and pays the claims.

4. If you bloggers hate your carrier so much, don't sign up with them. No one is forcing you to become a Humana member. Also, for you people that dislike the concept of health insurance, why don't you move to countries that have "free healthcare" and see what that's like? After a few months of paying 50% taxes and being on a medical waiting list for months on end, I'm sure you'll change your tune. Insurance companies, as far as I'm concerned, are demonized just like the police; no one likes them until they need them.

5. As for you Micheal Moore fans who saw the movie "Sicko", please research the "Humana court case" before you blog about it. You'll notice that Mr. Moore is embellishing that situation quite a bit. (which is a nice way of saying that he is lying through his teeth.) He, like some ROR bloggers, is just trying to start controversy, but he is doing it for profit.

6. If a claim denies, or you feel it didn't pay the way it should have, please call Humana's customer service. If you feel the need to dispute the claim, you must do so in writing. This is a Dept. of Insurance guideline, not a Humana rule. The statute for dispute is six months past the processing date of the claim. Their address is Humana Grievance and Appeals, P.O. Box 14546, Lexington, KY 40512. The customer service line is 800-448-6262. This is on every Explaination of Benefits sent out by Humana. Enough with the "Humana doesn't have a complaint department" garbage. Legally, all insurance carriers must have a grievance process.

7. Humana and other carriers are routinely audited by the government. I'm sure if there was something illegal or immoral going on there, it would've come to light by now. If you don't believe me, why don't you read up on what happened to United Healthcare with their claims processing issues?

8. Any claim that goes under a medical review is reviewed by a medical director; someone with equal, but probably more medical training than your doctor. If something gets denied, you can be rest assured it's for a perfectly valid reason. Very often providers over perscribe drugs and services just to line their own pockets, so if something gets denied by a medical director, I would suggest calling Humana for details.

Well, that's about it. Frankly, I'm tired of trying to help people out and having them accuse me of being a hired Humana rep or just not listening and being downright rude, so don't look for my help here anymore.

Well, there's obviously no sense in talking to people here on ROR. No matter what I say, uninformed consumers will always find it easier to subscribe to their conspiracy theories about how the world works. But, before I go, let me just reiterate a few things. And then, I will leave you to your paranoid and ignorant opinions.

1. I don't work for Humana. I am not an independent contractor that associates with them. I have been a Humana member for three years with no complaints and a medical coder/biller that has worked in that field for over twelve years, so I think that makes me somewhat of an expert over most people on ROR when it comes to insurance practices.

2. Insurance carriers, including Humana, can not deny a claim "because they want to". That is, hands down, the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Your certificate is a legal document that can not be circumvented by the whims of the company. People, we're talking basic contract law here. Unfortunately, most people don't bother to check benefits before they sign up with their plan and then they whine about it when the terms of the agreement take shape. Read it before you buy it. I cannot stress that enough. Do that for any legal agreement that you enter into. Your certificate is on file with your benefits office and also online if you have want to read it word for word.

3. The provisions of your coverage are undeniably 100% determined by your employer. They decide who the company is going to use as an insurance carrier, your premiums, the network and coverage area of the plan, what is covered, and what limitations and exclusions the policy has. (including any denied medical codes) Again, this is clearly written in your certificate. If you really want to spit your venom at someone for the terms of the policy, that's where you should go. Your insurance carrier just enforces the plan your employer wanted and pays the claims.

4. If you bloggers hate your carrier so much, don't sign up with them. No one is forcing you to become a Humana member. Also, for you people that dislike the concept of health insurance, why don't you move to countries that have "free healthcare" and see what that's like? After a few months of paying 50% taxes and being on a medical waiting list for months on end, I'm sure you'll change your tune. Insurance companies, as far as I'm concerned, are demonized just like the police; no one likes them until they need them.

5. As for you Micheal Moore fans who saw the movie "Sicko", please research the "Humana court case" before you blog about it. You'll notice that Mr. Moore is embellishing that situation quite a bit. (which is a nice way of saying that he is lying through his teeth.) He, like some ROR bloggers, is just trying to start controversy, but he is doing it for profit.

6. If a claim denies, or you feel it didn't pay the way it should have, please call Humana's customer service. If you feel the need to dispute the claim, you must do so in writing. This is a Dept. of Insurance guideline, not a Humana rule. The statute for dispute is six months past the processing date of the claim. Their address is Humana Grievance and Appeals, P.O. Box 14546, Lexington, KY 40512. The customer service line is 800-448-6262. This is on every Explaination of Benefits sent out by Humana. Enough with the "Humana doesn't have a complaint department" garbage. Legally, all insurance carriers must have a grievance process.

7. Humana and other carriers are routinely audited by the government. I'm sure if there was something illegal or immoral going on there, it would've come to light by now. If you don't believe me, why don't you read up on what happened to United Healthcare with their claims processing issues?

8. Any claim that goes under a medical review is reviewed by a medical director; someone with equal, but probably more medical training than your doctor. If something gets denied, you can be rest assured it's for a perfectly valid reason. Very often providers over perscribe drugs and services just to line their own pockets, so if something gets denied by a medical director, I would suggest calling Humana for details.

Well, that's about it. Frankly, I'm tired of trying to help people out and having them accuse me of being a hired Humana rep or just not listening and being downright rude, so don't look for my help here anymore.

All complaints must be in writing. (DOI guideline) Humana Grievance and Appeals, PO Box 14546, Lexington, KY 40512. There is your "complaints" dept. This is on every EOB sent out by Humana.

That is a PO box. It can't address issues unless you are currently a "member" of Humana. It is also snail mail. Thus, Humana has ripoff reports; more than the other managed care companies. Why not give a phone #? is it scared?

Humana does have a "complaints" department. Legally, all insurance carriers must. For Humana specifically, the address is Humana Grievance and Appeals, P.O. BOX 14546, LEXINGTON KY 40512. This address is on all EOB's sent out by the company.

Someone (the original poster) is VERY UPSET.

They have been trying to navigate through the tedious process of getting medical bills covered.

Why, oh why do we keep taking about "taxes in Europe". The complaints are not about high taxes in European nations. It is about the USA. Maybe you should go to a European website and complain about the high taxes in Sweden.

As for "practicing medicine without a license" I think the issue is that a procedure is needed for this client, but for some reason or other it is not authorized by the automated computer at Humana. Thus the physician will not provide the service unless the client pays out of pocket. Thus the computer has made a costly medical decision.

Anger and hostility ensues.

Then Humana employees infect the website and blame the client for not reading fine print, and the physicians being "frauds".

I think it would be easier for everyone if Humana actually had a complaints department. Maybe they could help with these problems, and they would not be pasted all over "ripoff report".

Someone (the original poster) is VERY UPSET.

They have been trying to navigate through the tedious process of getting medical bills covered.

Why, oh why do we keep taking about "taxes in Europe". The complaints are not about high taxes in European nations. It is about the USA. Maybe you should go to a European website and complain about the high taxes in Sweden.

As for "practicing medicine without a license" I think the issue is that a procedure is needed for this client, but for some reason or other it is not authorized by the automated computer at Humana. Thus the physician will not provide the service unless the client pays out of pocket. Thus the computer has made a costly medical decision.

Anger and hostility ensues.

Then Humana employees infect the website and blame the client for not reading fine print, and the physicians being "frauds".

I think it would be easier for everyone if Humana actually had a complaints department. Maybe they could help with these problems, and they would not be pasted all over "ripoff report".

So, what's the issue here? I can't advise without hearing your story.

As for nationalizing healthcare... don't even get me started. Yes, health insurance premiums can be high. Still, I'd rather pay them than get socked with 28% - 59% income taxes like countries with nationalized healthcare have. (Check out tax rates in Europe for example.) You think you're on a fixed budget now....

"Change" isn't coming, people. Let it go. Obama's a good guy, but America will never go to nationalized healthcare. Why? Simple. It's for the same reason we don't ban smoking, alcohol, and firearms... it generates money. If you hate your carrier so much, cancel your policy. But, you're taking a gamble with your financial future should you require medical attention. In lamens terms, paying out of pocket ain't cheap.

Soon we may be bailing out these managed care companies.

More and more clients are seeking alternatives. More and more physicians are not accepting managed care.

Unfortunately, clients and physicians are not organized enough to get any government support to change the legislation. In the meantime, managed care will continue to charge $14 for a tylenol, and will resort to charging $5 for each square of toilet paper used during a hospitalization. Our care is being micromanaged to benefit investors in managed care.

Managed care companies are very organized, have lots of money, and many lobbyists and lawyers. The only way to stop it is to introduce a viable alternative, so we can make the managed care product obsolete.

I wish I could stop managed care, but I can't. Advice is to find a physician you trust, and inquire about which method of payment would best suit your needs.

So, what exactly is the rip off? All I read here is a rambling, almost incoherent, not much more than babbling bit of a post.

I particularly liked this "You try paying premiums and co-pays for 12-14 meds per month, on a fixed income."

>>MOST people are actually living on a "fixed" income of sorts in one way or the other. You make what you make each month or week....most dont have the opportunity to just "increase" their paychecks randomly.

.....then there was this remark you made "
PRACTICING MEDICINE WITHOUT A LICENSE."

>>Who is doing this? The insurance companies when they deny your claim? Any health insurance company has a host of doctors and nurses as well as other health care professionals on staff.

Granted.....I dont believe that ANY Insurance company should have the power or ability to deny treatment or meds that your own doctor has prescribed or ordered....but they are hardly practicing medicine without a license.

Has anyone told you that over dramatizing and babbling, incoherent posting does nothing to further your complaint or issue?