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A short story about our existing health care system.

My health care plan allows for a physical every two years. I had a physical about four years ago.

In October 2007, I was immunized for a trip to Guatemala. At the time I also received advice about various health issues for travel in Guatemala. I was not examined.

In July 2008, I received a physical exam.

Regence (BlueCross/BlueShield) denied coverage for my July 2008 exam because the immunization visit had been coded ?like a physical.? The Regence representative asked the hospital which provided the immunizations to revise the billing code. The hospital said they would not. Regence told me the denial of coverage for the (actual) physical exam would stand.
In addition to the time handling flexible spending accounts and other billing issues between various providers and my insurance company, I see a new skill is needed. I need to learn billing codes.

I have appealed and now expect to invest more time to prove that vaccinations and warnings about untreated water are not the same as what was once an annual physical exam.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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