An actual feel-good health insurer story. No, really!

[moonscape]

I’ve had Original Medicare since I turned 65 in 2015, and signed up with HealthNet for my Medigap plan, which covers the 20% co-pay. I rarely interact with them because there are no issues when they’re required to pay what Medicare doesn’t. Pretty simple. The occasions I did contact them it was to get back proof of premium payment for a grant I applied for, or about premium increase, etc., so it’s an arm-length relationship to put it mildly. Always got someone on the phone right away, no crazy phone trees, very helpful Customer Service, but maybe 3 calls in 8 years?

I live on the Central CA Coast and as most of you know we’ve been having some wet weather of late. Newsom made emergency declarations for a number of counties and mine was one of them, again. Friday was plenty of trouble, on top of already saturated ground. Lots of power outages, flooding, etc.

Anyway, Friday got a call from a number I didn’t recognize and didn’t pick up. When I got the transcribed message left I was amazed:
———————
Message:

Hi . My name is Sandra with the Member Connection Dept. Just calling to see how you’re doing during the storm. If you’ve been affected or need anything at all, please call the number on the back of your HealthNet card 1-800-839-2172. Thank you.
———————-

I found this remarkable. It wasn’t a robocall. No clue what is in their purview to do, maybe accept delayed premium payments if I was homeless or financially impacted? I could’ve used some brussel sprouts, but …. The fact they have a program to do this speaks to a corporate culture that seems woefully rare.

I’m so cynical I kept asking myself what’s in it for them? Well, apart from free advertising on DU!

[haele]

1. Might be to check on prescriptions or health care appliance delays

Some insurance companies that have regular case nurse check-up calls or telecare programs will call if you make an urgent care visit or do your labs.
Whether or not they can get you meds before you run out or more O2 if you're still snowed in is another situation, but at least they called.

Haele

[moonscape]

2. MediGap does not cover prescriptions though, only

medical co-pay. They don’t decide what gets covered, only Medicare makes that decision. They’re really just sitting in the back seat, paying a Medicare pre-determined 20%

[yonder]

3. An unexpected ray of light, yes.