Let's say you become ill right after January 1 (This flu season has been horrible) and need to see a doctor, have X-rays, tests and maybe more. So you make an appointment and show up and then are told you don't have health coverage. WTF? So they allow you as a long time patient to sign an agreement to pay for the service if the insurance does not. You go for tests and X-rays and then get the same story...you don't have coverage and will have to pay for your services out of pocket. WTF?
Facts are that HealthNet did not update their computer system so that subscribers would actually be shown to have coverage as of the first of the year. And, to compound the issues, HealthNet changed everyone's ID number so that the old number is invalid, and it takes an act of congress to get the new number. And their "old" web site shows you have no coverage and directs you to a new web site that you need to start all over signing in, etc. And that shows you have coverage but under an invalid ID number. Aha, but it doesn't end there.
A month later, in February, they still had not updated their database and puhed it out to the doctors and other providers. To add insult to injury HealthNet sent out new ID cards with the OLD ID number, making them worse than useless at the doctors or other care providers.
Their customer service just plain sucks. They promise to send materials and do not. Ask for materials on their web site and nothing. I think they use call centers somewhere that are staffed by morons or at least people who don't take their jobs seriously.
Yes, their head office will give you a number to call and they run you around yet again with no solution. They promise to have the issues corrected within a week or so but have failed to do so.
My suggestion is to stay as far away from HealthNet as you can if you have to choose a plan, any plan! Because their lack of action and foresight will drive you nuts. And if you have this problem, contact everyone you can. If you are on Medicare file a complaint. Complain to consumer affairs and the Better Business Bureau. After all this is not some freebie...we pay for this lousy service.
