Work Cancelled My Insurance Without Notifying Me

Updated on December 04, 2008
C.P. asks from Lake Orion, MI
10 answers

My husband is retired but we both work(ed) at the same place. As an employee I am entitled to health insurance and as his spouse I am entitled to health insurance. We choose different plans but I am included as a dependent on his, as I was only using mine for the awesome mental health benefits. When I went to use his I was informed I was not covered. Through an awful lot of digging I found out the manager of benefits cancelled me from my husbands policy without notifying me.

I have discovered in our policies and procedures, there is nothing in writing anywhere that one employee cannot be covered under two policies (in my situation). They cited an agreement used 20 years ago for another married couple as reason for cancelling my policy but they can't find it and not only that, they agree that the agreement would have been between that couple and the workplace; they never enforced it or made it policy company wide.

Anyway, now it is time to choose insurances again and I was hoping someone could offer legal advice at least on if they can just cancel my insurance like that or not. I was told by a few non experts that it has to be in writing or policy somewhere.

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P.R.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I seems like they can do that,they probably shouldve noticed first that you were already covered on Husbands plan, you cant really be covered under the same insurance company as a dependant and then have your own plan under the same insurance company. Maybe if you work offered 2 companys like for example one bsbc and one priority health and he picks one and you pick the other you would have to fill out a coordination of benefits but dont think you can do that for the same company, just my opinion thought Im not an expert.

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L.N.

answers from Benton Harbor on

You cannot pick and choose which policy is primary. It goes by the policy holders' birthdays'. Your bills must first go thru your primary and then the unpaid balance goes to the secondary.

I would call both carriers and get some straight information on insurance fraud. Once you notify them of the (alleged) fraud, they will investigate.

~L.

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A.V.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I am not sure about policies etc., but if you need help with health insurance I have a good referral for you. Let me know if you would like her name and phone number, and good luck.

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S.C.

answers from Lansing on

I worked for an insurance company for five years. It was Property & Casualty, not health insurance, but I believe the basic rules are the same. It is illegal for them to cancel your coverage without giving you proper notice in writing. AND...the written notice must be clear and concise with a specific cancellation date. If this procedure wasn't followed, you should be able to have your policy reinstated. If you're shopping for new insurance, maybe you aren't interested in reinstatement, but if you have any pending claims, they should be covered. You can file a complaint with the State. The State has to investigate every complaint that they receive. They will very likely make the company pay any outstanding claims. Good luck!

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R.G.

answers from Detroit on

I dealt with this same problem during my Grandmother's illness. It must be in writing and/or in a policy. You should contact the company and let them know that you will be contacting a lawyer. If you belonged to a union, you can also contact them. It would be wise to call a lawyer for a free consultation. Good luck! :)

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K.K.

answers from Saginaw on

I'm not sure if all insurances work under the same rules...at my work...they ask if the spouse is covered under another policy...if they are, they won't include them on this policy, or they'll include them, but only as secondary insurance.
Check to see if that question is asked on any of the papers you fill out. It gives them the basis for cancellation.

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M.R.

answers from Detroit on

File a complaint with the Michigan Insurance Commission. I had an issue that I fought Blue Cross with for 8 months, after I filed a complaint the issue was resolved in a couple of weeks!

S.S.

answers from Detroit on

Not sure if this is the same place but we discovered our health ins was cancelled too! My hubby called his boss and he said that they are just going to have to cover the cost if services during that time.

I think it is a big scam where they are trying to get any money they can from their employees even if it means pulling ins with out being notified. It is wrong and it is robbery!

I don't think it has anything to do with your have two insurances.

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L.C.

answers from Saginaw on

Wow, the nerve of some people... I think you'll find that their action is illegal, but to find out, look for your state's insurance advocacy group... try this website:

http://www.patientadvocate.org/resources.php

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

C.,
You should get some legal advise on whether or not you've been cancelled for no reason or not. If it's not in writing, what are they citing? If it's in writing on your policy and you signed, I would think that that would be legally binding. If it isn't included on your policy anywhere, then I believe they are guilty of ....something. If it's standard on policies AFTER your policy was written up, that is if they updated their policies, it was their obligation to inform you of the change in policies. But they should at least honor policies as they were undersigned that were taken out before any changes.
Ask legal help. You sound like you're entitled to coverage.

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