- Joined
- Apr 8, 2014
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So, 2 and half years ago when my husband lost his job I decided to go on healthcare.gov to buy us health insurance. Not having a lot of time to figure this out I just chose a plan from there and purchased it.
At the end of that year, I realized for a variety of reasons that the plan sucked and since we didn't qualify for any subsidies I was better off buying outside the exchange (which by the way is down to only one plan offered in our area now.)
Well, little did I know that Healthcare.gov automatically enrolled me in a new plan. After of course long waits on hold and a million robo-menus I talked to a very nice lady who said no worries, she would terminate that plan.
A few weeks later, after already buying a plan on our own, I got a bill for the Healthcare.gov plan. Mildly annoyed, I called Healthcare.gov back, more hold time, more robo-menus but the upshot of it was, I was told no worries, just don't pay your first premium and the plan will be cancelled. Got one more bill after that, another phone call, same answer. Never got another bill after that.
By the way, I asked for email or written conversation of the cancellation numerous times (of the policy that I never asked to be enrolled in int he first place). I was told they can't. do that but would make a note of our call in their system.
So today, on joyous Open Enrollment day, I got an email stating I was being re-enrolled in my "current plan" at a higher premium.
Turns out according to their records I am still enrolled in the first plan. Despite never having paid a premium. And they will not unenroll me from the new 2018 plan unless I "terminate" my 2017 plan. So they are wanting me to basically admit that I still have a plan through them, so they can terminate it, so they can un-enroll me from another plan I never asked to be enrolled in. And if I am not willing to do that, they are keeping me automatically enrolled for next year.
Two hours on the phone with three people and I cannot get this straightened out. Here's hoping I am not about to receive a bill for 10 months of insurance coverage which I never used, while also paying for a new plan.
At the end of that year, I realized for a variety of reasons that the plan sucked and since we didn't qualify for any subsidies I was better off buying outside the exchange (which by the way is down to only one plan offered in our area now.)
Well, little did I know that Healthcare.gov automatically enrolled me in a new plan. After of course long waits on hold and a million robo-menus I talked to a very nice lady who said no worries, she would terminate that plan.
A few weeks later, after already buying a plan on our own, I got a bill for the Healthcare.gov plan. Mildly annoyed, I called Healthcare.gov back, more hold time, more robo-menus but the upshot of it was, I was told no worries, just don't pay your first premium and the plan will be cancelled. Got one more bill after that, another phone call, same answer. Never got another bill after that.
By the way, I asked for email or written conversation of the cancellation numerous times (of the policy that I never asked to be enrolled in int he first place). I was told they can't. do that but would make a note of our call in their system.
So today, on joyous Open Enrollment day, I got an email stating I was being re-enrolled in my "current plan" at a higher premium.
Turns out according to their records I am still enrolled in the first plan. Despite never having paid a premium. And they will not unenroll me from the new 2018 plan unless I "terminate" my 2017 plan. So they are wanting me to basically admit that I still have a plan through them, so they can terminate it, so they can un-enroll me from another plan I never asked to be enrolled in. And if I am not willing to do that, they are keeping me automatically enrolled for next year.
Two hours on the phone with three people and I cannot get this straightened out. Here's hoping I am not about to receive a bill for 10 months of insurance coverage which I never used, while also paying for a new plan.
