CHICAGO – In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists calls on Anthem to reverse this proposal immediately.
What the actual fuck. I mean the amount of extra money they’ve made these people pay. They have probably caused people to lose their jobs.
What if I had Anthem and the doctor told me I’m good to go but the insurance hadn’t cleared me for release, and I left? They can’t keep me there against my will. Would they use this to justify denying coverage?
Anything and everything will be used to deny coverage.
In most of these cases it’s the delay in approval for some kind of continued care (nursing facility, home nurse visits etc.) which the patient needs that’s delaying the hospital discharge. I think if you’re good to walk out, you probably can. Even if the doctor hasn’t cleared it, there’s a form you can sign that basically says you’re taking your legal right to leave.
Yeah I’ve left against medical advice a couple times. I was just curious about the insurance ramifications. Thanks for the info.