California consumers say duped by Blue Shield´s limited Obamacare plans

Reuters ^ | 5/15/14 | Terry Baynes

[Nachum]

Consumers who purchased new health plans from Blue Shield of California have sued the insurer, claiming they were misled into thinking the insurance would cover their desired doctors and hospitals. In their complaint filed in California state court on Wednesday, San Francisco residents John Harrington and Alex Talon accused Blue Shield of misrepresenting that their plans, sold on California´s health exchange, would cover the full provider network advertised on the company´s website. They sued on behalf of a class of people who had purchased so-called "preferred provider organization" plans from the insurer only to realize that the doctor and hospital

[struggle]

You voted for it.

[Nachum]

The list, Ping

Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list

http://www.nachumlist.com/

[grundle]

California voted for Obama in both elections. But I do feel sorry for the Californians who voted against Obama - this is not their fault.

[SZonian]

They voted for it and mocked those who tried to warn them...all they saw was a golden ticket and a Chocolate factory.

[glock rocks]

If you want to keep your doctor, you’re a racist.

[VerySadAmerican]

I’m sure they voted for Nancy Pelosi, too. hee hee

[bkopto]

If there is ANY word that describes the average California voter, it is “dupe”.

[Fungi]

California, my heart has no blood left to bleed. You reap what you sow. Now leave town—but where will you go stupid fools?

[Varsity Flight]

Three Classes:

1. Fascists companies bribing by lobby.

2. Government workers and benefactors.

3. Everyone else exploited by #1 and #2.

[kalee]

When they purchased the plans, what part of “Preferred Provider Organization” did they not understand? PPO means that benefit payments are restricted to only approved doctors or hospitals.

[Republican Wildcat]

We warned them, and they didn’t listen.

[Republican Wildcat]

They sued on behalf of a class of people who had purchased so-called "preferred provider organization" plans from the insurer only to realize that the doctor and hospital networks for their plans were limited.

Only to realize? LOL - that's what "PPO" plan is by very definition. If doctors and hospitals don't want to participate according to the terms and be part of the PPO, they don't have to.

[scripter]

California voted for Obama in both elections. But I do feel sorry for the Californians who voted against Obama - this is not their fault.

No, it's not their fault as you said. I have family there and they did NOT vote for Obama. Those who say so are asswipes.

[Lmo56]

Ruh Roh !!! And no Scooby Snacks ???

[wideminded]

When they purchased the plans, what part of “Preferred Provider Organization” did they not understand? PPO means that benefit payments are restricted to only approved doctors or hospitals.

Frequently PPO plan networks contain a lot of doctors. If the insurance company misrepresented which doctors would be available under the Obamacare plan, then the complainants may have a case.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Like Gomer Pyle said all the time: “Surprise, surprise surprise!” There will be many more surprises for those low info voters.

[Jeff Chandler]

oops . . .

[ltc8k6]

All of the plans would have been vetted and approved by the state. All of the plans had to be ACA compliant.

[tinamina]

I think they are accusing Blue Shield of misrepresenting the preferred doctors who were on the plan. I read this earlier. It is called bait and switch. These docs were listed as on the plan even though they had not agreed to sign contracts. Used to be highly illegal in the California insurance industry. I used to be part of it for many years.