Question:
I've had ChampVA for a little over a year now. I recently went to a doctor. (Don't go very often). The doctor say they accept assignment. ChampVA is my primary insurance. Doctor did blood work and sent to a lab. Bills all came back that I had to pay. I'm getting different stories from every office I contact. One office said coding may be wrong. Not sure what to do now. Spoke to the doctor and she said she will take a look at it. Of course, I have no idea if she will. Thanks.
Jim's Reply:
CHAMPVA is great health insurance when it works well for you. Getting it to work well for you can be an exercise in frustration. CHAMPVA seems to be running in the 1990s and their computer equipment and telephone lines just aren't up to snuff.
You have to deal with CHAMPVA directly via phone and fax. You have to be patient and persistent and be prepared to spend hours on the phone. Generally if you don't get the answer you need, call back again and talk with another person.
My wife has used CHAMPVA for over a decade and we've had frustrations aplenty. We've learned to deal directly with the staff in the doctors office who do insurance billing and we aren't hesitant about tying them up to be sure our bills are properly paid.
If you'll work hard to stay ahead of it, you'll eventually get settled into the routine you need for success in the future. Good luck.