Author Topic: The most asinine phonecall i've taken, ethical questions and medical insurance (Read 354 times)

Wolfala · « **on:** October 14, 2005, 04:54:24 PM »

So I get this stupid ***** who calls me from Blue Cross medical insurance. I applied to get coverage for Eva who's about 6 feet and 120. Pretty standard - no medical problems, no vices - in the same category as most models of her build. So this emmy award winner says "I'm checking to verify if her weight is correct - if its 120 we cannot insure her b/c the BMI is too low." So I ask her, "lady, are you asking me to lie and tell you what you want?" She ends the call there.

This was the dumbest ****ing phone call i've ever handled - and it brings up an interesting point. With America having a problem with obesity - you'd think they would be more then happy to have someone light. And for me it poses ethical problems - military you take an oath to not lie. But for me to get coverage for her it seems the way things are going I am going to have to lie my bellybutton off. This is the most asinine thing i've ever seen.

V/R

Wolf

Hangtime · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2005, 04:57:30 PM »

Put Eva on the scale holding a cinder block. Then ask yourself the question:

How much does she weigh right now?

Scootter · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2005, 04:58:53 PM »

I feel your pain, but I have had phone calls a lot more asinine then that.

Try dealing with any low level goverment agency, like the State or County Dept. of Whatever. Your ears will bleed.

john9001 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2005, 06:15:56 PM »

just tell them what they want to hear, so they can check their little boxes,why do you aways have to make waves?

Wolfala · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2005, 06:25:07 PM »

Because of an oath of "I will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate others who do." So I have to lie for a greater reason, so be it.

Seagoon · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2005, 10:27:45 PM »

I had an insurance salesman in my office a little while ago, first he began by asking me my age and if I was married and then how many children I have. He then said, "of course you don't use tobacco..." and began to crunch numbers. I interrupted to say I smoked 1-3 cigars a week, to which he answered, "well that's not many, we won't record that - otherwise your rate goes up 30%." So I interrupted and said, "Wait a minute, aside from the truth issue, if I file a major claim or develop a chronic illness, and they find out I "use tobacco", they could potentially deny it, yes?" to which he answered, "Well they probably wouldn't check that kind of thing... they know nobody is completely honest on these applications. Everyone fudges a little."

That was the end of the sales pitch for me.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 02:41:42 AM »

Not relating to insurance but as a "Physical Training Leader" in my squadron I'm requird to report anyone to the clinic who has a BMI below 19.5. I'd like to meat the moron who came up with this mathmatical formula that is supposed to fit the mold for ALL people of ALL shapes and sizes.

Blooz · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2005, 07:07:51 AM »

6 ft. and 120 lbs.

Eat something baby!

Pancakes and SPAM over here....QUICK!

myelo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2005, 08:07:43 AM »

Based on BMI, Michael Jordan (6'6; 218) is overweight (25.2).

Seagoon, the last tiem I got life insurance they required a physical and lab tests, including a urine. They said one of the things the urine sample was for was to check for nicotine. Just in case your "forgot" you smoked when they asked you.

Boroda · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2005, 01:19:17 PM »

Unbelievable. It's a joke of the month!

Alex, when Estel told me about this story - the first thing I thought was they are making innuendos that they need a bribe.

Eva definetly doesn't look "underfed". Maybe they think that in Russia we all live on bread and water only?

Do they prepare medical insurance contracts simply filling forms by the phone?! It's funny, especially after a medical test they required here. Are there other insurance companies? I understand such a "government approach" with free insurance like we have here, but this one requires some money, doesn't it? /*did I tell you that when I was in a hospital - doctors were really happy that I don't have an insurance? I didn't waste time to get an insurance card after several ****-ups in my local clinics, I think I told you about their incompetence*/

After I left hospital I weighted less then 80kg, noone believed me, with my beer-belly and 190cm. People think that my weight is at least 120kg, maybe my bones are too light? OTOH - my co-worker weights the same 80kg, but he's slim as a match. What really counts AFAIK is a percentage of fat in your body, it should't be lower then 20-25%, otherwise it's dangerous, at least for women, and it's impossible to determine it without a professional personal medical test.

I think that this story can be in headline news at least in your local newspaper. This insurance company deserves some publicity IMHO for an attempt to make people fat.

Wolfala · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2005, 09:37:13 PM »

I wish I had the call recorded - this woman wasn't working with a full deck of cards. I'm going to do the next best thing - my doctor is on vacation until the 26th - so i'm gonna bring her down there and have him write a nice little note saying "she's healthy", then go down to the insurance office so atleast I have some proof. But yea, the situation is just fubar and frankly, I can't waste anymore braincells thinking about it b/c I feel dumber already.

Wolf