Legal Question in Insurance Law in Iowa

Eligibility Waiting Period

My question is as followes:On May 8,2000 my husband began working for a trucking company that hauls Srap metal, as a driver. When he was hired,he was told that the Insurance waiting period was 30 days. The provider is Wellmark BCBS of Iowa,Alliance Select, Alliance RX and Blue RX. On 6-9-00, I tried to fill perscriptions at the Pharmacy required and was rejected,

because the info was not yet in the system. I calledm the employer and asked her to find out what was going on. She said our application had been lost,we reapplied.By now, it's 6-19-00 and I have not had my regular meds in 10 days and still not in the computer.The med's total

cost is $604.00.I had to borrow that amount from a friend and get the meds. Now it's 7-10-00 and my doctor has called in an Antibiodic

and the ins.co.rejects again.Reason -not eligible untill 9-1-00. I called the employer again and was told the ins. co. could not do this the elig. waiting period was 60 days.Which meant elig. begins 7-8-00,Rejected Again! Reason:Not elig.untill 8-1-00. I Don't have any way to get $604. for my refills

on 7-20-00. Please Pleae respond ASAP. Thank you


Asked on 7/11/00, 7:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Steven Murray Steven W. Murray, APC

Re: Eligibility Waiting Period

If you have been paying premiums or if they have

been paid by the employer for you for the required

waiting period, the insurer is responsible for the

delay and you are entitled to coverage. Talk to

a local lawyer - a letter might do it. If not,

talk to the claims supervisor/employer benefits

manager. If it is the employer's fault, then you

have a hard choice to make because your husband

may not want to make waves.

Try your local congressman/local elected official,

they sometimes will get involved to help. Or is

your huband a union member?

I would get a copy of the original paperwork - and

the policy/brochure - to make sure what you are

being told is really the truth about the various

time periods. Keep complaining, even to the brokers

or insurers, and keep talking to supervisors or higher.

Read more
Answered on 9/12/00, 9:05 pm


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