Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Customer Service Issues

I failed to obtain preauthorization for a recent service, as it was never required in the past. Consequently, my initial claim was rejected, and upon appealing, I faced another denial due to the lack of preauthorization. Now, after attempting a secondary appeal, the reviewer alleges there is no record of my appeal request despite returning my documents. This has impacted two patients undergoing full-day procedures, resulting in uncompensated work and extensive time spent on multiple futile appeals and communications.

I've completed my in-network deductible of $2,[redacted], but Anthem keeps stating I owe more. When I contact them, the calls last around 45 minutes with lengthy, repetitive steps where they share information I already know. For instance, it took a representative 14 minutes to confirm my remaining deductible without addressing why I still owe. They evaded my question for 25 more minutes. Furthermore, Anthem partners with Express Scripts for mail-order prescriptions. Initially, my prescription was approved and covered by Anthem after I paid due to the deductible. Upon renewal, it wasn't covered, Express Scripts automatically processed and charged me without prior notification. They billed $[redacted] for a generic prescription prescribed by an in-network doctor, though the same drug costs $50-$80 at other pharmacies. Communication with Anthem results in prolonged circular conversations that last for hours. I encounter various other issues as well. I appreciate any assistance. Thank you!

My membership ID is YGU439M93462. After multiple failed attempts to reach you by phone, I decided to download the app. It showed that I had $44 available, so I went to Rite Aid to make a purchase. To my dismay, my payment was declined twice at the register, despite me having sufficient funds. This experience was humiliating and unacceptable. Customer service mentioned that a card was sent to me in February, but I never received it. This means that for the past four months, I have been missing out on $44 each month, totaling $[redacted]. I only received the amount for June on the card I recently obtained. I urgently request that this issue be resolved promptly to prevent any further embarrassment on my end.

Last year I visited the doctor due to recurrent strep throat and underwent blood tests. During the office visit, I was assured that I had no outstanding balance. Several months later, I contacted the doctor's office to confirm this, and they reiterated that I did not owe anything. However, I was surprised when I received a bill from "Metro Center for Health" for $[redacted].00 with no breakdown of the charges or insurance coverage information. Despite providing my insurance details during the visit and being told twice that I owed nothing, I was hesitant to pay the bill as it seemed suspicious. Eventually, the bill was sent to collections (atgcredit), and I started receiving collection calls. They mentioned it was related to the office visit, but did not offer much explanation. After setting up a payment plan yesterday, they advised me to check with my insurance for possible reimbursement. I am still waiting for a letter from them detailing the charges and insurance coverage.

Subject: Concern Regarding Transparency in Medical Service Pricing I am reaching out to bring attention to the ongoing issue of the lack of transparency in medical service pricing. Patients like myself frequently encounter situations where we are unaware of the costs involved until receiving the final bill. While I acknowledge the complexity that health insurance adds to pricing, it is imperative that doctors' offices provide patients with estimates beforehand. Recently, after visiting a sleep specialist for a 20-minute consultation and receiving a sleep-oxygen monitor, I was shocked to be billed over $[redacted]. Had I known the approximate cost in advance, I would have reconsidered seeking the specialist's services. It's crucial for doctors to offer patients at least a rough estimate of expenses before treatment to avoid such surprises. While I understand there are overhead costs and insurance considerations, patients deserve transparency on pricing, similar to other industries where prices are clearly indicated. The escalating medical expenses coupled with this lack of clarity only serve to exacerbate frustrations among patients. It is time for the medical sector to address this issue promptly. Sincerely, DJ West Bountiful, UT

As a psychotherapist in Oxford, England working with one of Anthem's members, I'm unsure if Anthem can cover my client's treatment, similar to their coverage in the US. The current system doesn't accommodate international providers like me. I've struggled with the lack of email support and costly phone calls trying to reach the necessary contacts without success. The live chat is only available to members, not to associates like me. Can you please provide an email contact for enquiries? The previous email addresses given did not lead me to the right department. I hope for a more helpful response from Anthem in this matter.

Our local union, Local [redacted] Plumbers and Pipefitters in Nevada, will be transitioning to your insurance company starting in January [redacted]. We were initially advised that we would receive our insurance cards and member numbers by December, but as of now, we have not received any of this information. With December coming to a close soon and the New Year holiday approaching, the lack of communication has caused significant stress, especially for someone like me who has children with special needs requiring regular medication. Despite appointments being scheduled for early January to renew vital prescriptions, the absence of the necessary insurance details has only added to the anxiety. I urge you to rectify this situation promptly to ensure that my children can continue to receive the care they need without further delay.

I recently switched carriers in early February and had already made that month's payment. Following the switch, I contacted Anthem to inquire about prorating and receiving a refund for the month of February. I was informed that a substantial refund would be issued by the last week of February or first week of March. As of now, I have not received the refund either by mail or electronically. I would appreciate it if you could reach out to discuss this matter further. Unfortunately, I no longer possess my insurance card with my member ID. I am hopeful we can resolve this using alternative methods. Thank you for your attention to this issue. I am eager to hear back from you.

Since relocating to Colorado in January [redacted], I have been trying to secure health insurance. After completing the application on Connect for Health Colorado, providing documentation, and selecting Anthem Blue Cross as my provider, I encountered issues. Despite making the initial payment for both health and dental coverage on March 5 with a confirmation number, I never received insurance cards. Multiple calls to both Connect for Health and Anthem only resulted in frustration, as each side blamed the other for the problem. Despite being assured that the cards were on the way, my online account showed an active status on April 9, but when I checked the next day, the plan had been canceled without reason. With prescriptions running out and our previous insurance canceled, my husband and I are left without coverage. Attempts to file an appeal with Anthem were unsuccessful as I was redirected back to Connect for Health. This situation is incredibly stressful, and I am stuck in a cycle of referrals and unresolved issues.

I have not yet received my member card despite registering six months ago with Anthem. The website does not offer guidance in this situation, as obtaining a replacement card requires a login and an account, which in turn necessitates a member ID from the missing card or an activation code from an email that I have not received. Contacting the service department in my state was unfruitful as my insurance is through an out-of-state employer. Despite being directed to the correct team eventually, I still faced issues obtaining the proper documents. I am requesting either the activation code via email or the member card to be issued promptly by providing any required information. Additionally, I would like to see improved transparency both in customer service and on the website for better user experience. Clear instructions and direct assistance in all communication would greatly help in resolving similar issues efficiently in the future.

I needed to submit all my paystubs for the month, but could only provide one due to being on maternity leave. Consequently, my benefits were discontinued. After contacting the necessary parties, I arranged for the required documentation to be faxed over by my employer. Meanwhile, I visited the hospital for a blood draw, incurring a $[redacted].00 charge. Now that my insurance is active again, I am eager to have this expense covered. Despite not having insurance at the time of the blood draw, I was unaware that I needed a statement from my employer clarifying the missing paystub.

Hello, I am Catherine B. Dotson. My husband, Richard Dotson, recently transitioned to Cobra coverage through HID Global with Anthem BCBS. We are in a situation where our coverage needs to be confirmed promptly as we are under a time constraint to schedule appointments before the end of the year. The 3rd party Cobra administrator has informed us that our payment and information have been submitted; however, we are lacking vital details such as a policy number, member number, and confirmation of coverage status. Despite reaching out to HID's Benefits Manager, Maria Ortega, who indicated this falls outside her responsibilities as it involves former employees under Cobra, we are struggling to obtain clarity. The 3rd party administrator has explained that their role is solely billing-related, lacking direct communication with Anthem BCBS to verify our coverage. Given this unique circumstance of transitioning to a new insurance provider without a previous policy, we are seeking guidance on how to ascertain our coverage status, obtain relevant policy and member numbers, and ensure everything is in order. Your help in addressing this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

On December 2, [redacted], I recently received a letter from your company advising of the potential cancellation of my insurance due to the non-payment of the November premium. Despite sending the December payment on November 25, which your company received, I acknowledge the delay in the November payment. Unfortunately, I cannot ensure it would reach you by the stipulated deadline of December 2. I have made multiple attempts to contact my MO representative, Kelly (apologies for the lack of a last name), but have only reached her replacement and left messages. I want to highlight my efforts to reach out for assistance. Should my coverage be terminated due to the late November payment, I will be seeking a refund of my December payment. I intend to contact Kelly again today for further clarification. Thank you, Dawn Bollinger (\).

I am trying to contact a live representative from the Provider Services Department at Anthem Blue Cross of California to verify Eligibility and Benefits for a Member seeking Acupuncture Benefits. Despite the automated system's limitation of not acknowledging #0 for customer support, I was unable to reach a live person after listening to all the options. Assistance from a customer advocate to help me with my inquiry would be highly valued.

I recently received a letter from the IRS informing me that they are withholding my tax return because I did not submit a [redacted]-a form from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for the period of January to June. Although I attempted to obtain insurance in January, I never received any documentation confirming it. Unexpectedly, I discovered that I was being charged $49.98 for a prescription by a company linked to Blue Cross on my credit card. After contacting them, they explained that I had authorized the charge during my attempted sign-up, which was untrue since I do not require nor use prescriptions. The company has since canceled the charges and refunded me. As I never received any information in the mail to finalize my insurance, I assumed I did not have coverage until now. I urgently require the [redacted]-a form as requested by the IRS. I have been searching for information on this matter tirelessly for the past two weeks. Thank you. Contact me at [redacted]. - Shelby Esparza

I ended my employment with the Georgia Department of Health on October 9th. I paid the premium for the month of October and informed a representative over the phone that I wanted to terminate my coverage. They assured me that I would not receive any further bills. However, after recently moving to Texas, I received forwarded mail from Georgia indicating an overdue payment. I am concerned about the impact on my credit score as the bill states a payment deadline of November 30th, and I only received it about a week ago.

I had Anthem Blue Shield insurance from [redacted] to [redacted] when I worked for a government contractor based in Pasadena, CA. Initially, my policy was from CA, linked to EPA/National Association for Hispanic Elderly. However, later medical bills listed BS GA, but the ID numbers remained the same: 848A76808. I am currently applying for Medicare Part B and already have Part A since March [redacted]. I need verification of coverage from Anthem between [redacted] and October [redacted], when I switched to BC/BS FEPBlue. Despite trying different numbers, I couldn't access information as my ID number is no longer in the system. I am looking for a Customer Service number to talk to a representative and resolve this issue. Thank you. - S. Z.

I am facing ongoing issues with staff providing incorrect information over the phone and the inefficiency in resolving problems promptly. I have encountered significant challenges with your company. My recent experience with Anthem regarding my type 1 Diabetes supplies has been frustrating. Despite reaching out for details on insulin costs and preferred brands, I received conflicting information. The lack of consistency is alarming, especially when dealing with crucial medications. Each representative I spoke with offered different details, and some even acknowledged errors in the submitted prescriptions. The back-and-forth between pharmacy, insurance, and medical providers is incredibly frustrating and time-consuming. The inability to have accurate information and prescriptions handled seamlessly is concerning. As a diabetic, the high costs and complexities involved in obtaining essential medication like insulin are distressing. Such experiences discourage individuals from proper self-care due to the challenges in accessing vital supplies. This situation urgently needs addressing to prevent others from enduring similar difficulties.

Greetings, we are a physical therapy provider based in New Jersey. We have been attempting to connect with a provider representative to secure outpatient physical therapy benefits for our patient at our office. However, when we call the numbers supplied by Anthem and provide the patient's ID#, the information is not recognized. We are prompted to call back with the ID# at a later time. We are using the number listed on the patient's card in the automated system. We require clarification on whether authorization is needed for outpatient physical therapy in an office setting and if so, through which channel. Additionally, we need details on any deductible requirements or waivers, as well as the number of allowed visits. This information is crucial for us to notify the patient of their financial obligations. Please reach out to us promptly with a functional contact number that connects us with a representative knowledgeable about these benefits. Thank you. Group #174549M411.

I am in urgent need of booking an appointment with a psychiatrist who accepts my insurance. I had reached out previously but the referrals provided were incorrect or not accepting new patients. For the past six years, I have been struggling to find a new psychiatrist after my previous one retired. Despite contacting over 20 psychiatrists, I have had no success. My current situation and family life are in disarray. My mother's lack of understanding and remarks about my difficulty finding help have added to my distress. This morning, I couldn't even arrange transportation to get to the DMV for an ID, leaving me feeling incompetent. I am reaching out here in the hope of finding assistance. Thank you.