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Workplace / Insurance Dispute - Help
cbxjeff
Member Posts: 17,597 ✭✭✭✭
I'm trying to help my BIL with an issue. He has worked at a small mfg company for 10+ years and has had BCBS insurance. (or did) Currently BCBS says his insurance has been cancelled but the employer says not so. Personally I think the employer is lying. That said, I looked into the Indiana Department of Insurance but don't think that is something they can help with. He could get a lawyer to help but I would need to fund that. (which isn't appealing) Any suggestions guys? Where is Earl when I need him? 🤣
It's too late for me, save yourself.
Comments
For starters, I would contact BCBS (I am unfamiliar with that company) and find out the exact date it was cancelled. Get that in writing from the insurance company. Then show that paper to whoever manages that sort of stuff in the employer's company (HR?). If the company still denies that his insurance has been cancelled, ask them to rectify this issue with the insurance company post haste
Thanks HPD. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the insurance company. Update: It's not just my BIL it's all his co-workers. I think he better start looking for a new job. His company seems to be running out of money. It's going to be tough for him as he is about 60 and not in the best of health.
Oh, sorry to hear of his delima. Hope he can find some new employment. Rotten thing that company did to their employees.
He should have a BCBS account. Tell him to check it, or call BCBS directly and get it from the horses mouth. Is the company still taking his insurance fees out of his last few checks? If so, and he doesnt have coverage, then the company also owes him $(from when they cancelled his plan until now). Sounds like a raw deal to me, but hopefully just an honest error.
The employer has failed to pay his insurance. Keeping things going to salvage assets before closing.
The same thing happened to my late FIL back in the mid 90's. He was working for a trucking company and the company was deducting insurance premiums out of his pay without sending the payments in to BCBC. This went on for nearly a year before FIL found out from BCBC when he filed a medical claim that put him on workmans comp disability. He ended up suing the company and was awarded a settlement but it was for the comp claim and not from the employer health insurance rip off.
That place folded up soon after.
He should have a BCBS account when that insurance was set up.
His Company should have a Blanket Liability insurance policy . That should cover any lapses in insurance or at least, Pay a claim before before he, goes forward to sue. Or go to Small Claims Court.
See if there is an office for labor affairs with the State attorney general. The one in our state does not look kindly on companies not paying HI premiums. There maybe some personal liability for owners of the company.
Yep, sadness. Better start looking for another job.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Make sure that letter from BCBS is not one of them scammers that wants access to your pocket book info.
Have to keep a constant heads up now days.
Scammers are slick. Always remain paranoid about everything.
Try a bluff, tell your supervisor you found another job that pays more. If he offers you a raise to stay (????), but If he says adio's amigo get out fast.
I would start with the Indiana Dept. of Labor
I would find all paystubs showing employer deducted for insurance.
I've seen this a few times with poorly run tool shops I've had the misfortune to work at.
They never end up in jail!
They always seem to pay their attorneys first, but it is a crime and I'm sure a major PITA for them, as it should be.
I think he better be the first one to file suit, cause the money's going to dry up fast.
Like Brookwood's story, I worked at a place like that once. I had insurance from another source, so I was not affected. Employee goes to the ER with chest pains and receives the whole treatment. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of care. Then finds out the employer hasn't paid the insurance premiums in a while. The employee was advised to file suit....but the employer was his cousin! So I don't think he did. I don't really know how it turned out. I left soon after.
I left because the paychecks were bouncing too. It was a scramble to the employer's bank to see who would get paid before the funds ran out!
60 or no, he better be looking for a plan B pronto.
Thanks for the comments guys. He found out Thursday that he & coworker's insurance has been reinstated. No explanation from the company. My guess that they have secured money to keep afloat. I told him to keep looking for a different job. This manufacturing is somewhat seasonal and winter is slow.
No one has mentioned it but I'd highly recommend he double or triple check his S/S withholdings too, they're usually the first funds that are misspent. That will affect his livelyhood later on if those funds are gone.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
I would contact the states insurance commission or the attorney generals office if the company is collecting premiums but there is no insurance. If that gets no results go directly to a lawyer.
In Iowa there is a State Insurance Commission. My first cousin used to be a lawyer with them. They get results.
In 1961 my dad rolled a farm tractor and destroyed it. He couldn't find his policy so called his agent to see if the tractor was covered. The agent said no with no hesitation. The replacement cost $5000. In 1964 dad was looking through some papers and found the policy; turns out the tractor was covered. He contacted the State Insurance Commission. A few days later his agent showed up and said there had been a simple misunderstanding on the tractor deal and they wanted to know the damages. Dad told him $10 grand. The agent wrote him out a check.