My Mother had a private health insurance policy through Unicare Health Insurance Company for 7 years. She turned 65 and on her 65th birthday went to get the doctor and got a major physical since she had not really had one for a while since having her insurance. The insurance denied all of her claims at first stating that when she became 65 Unicare became her secondary health insurance regardless of whether she elected Medicare or not. My mother did not sign up for Medicare until one month after her birthday so Medicare Part B did not become effective until the following year. She was not concerned about signing up because she had a primary health insurance.
Medicare gave her a letter saying that her bills should be paid by her primary health insurance at the time.
Unicare however, had been charging her over $500 a month and at the time she cancelled with them they said that they would cover her claims.
Unicare, later states that they will cover only as a secondary insurance and that there is a clause in her contract that says this. She was not aware considering she is not fluent in English let alone any of the insurance language used in this kind of contract.
Are there any laws in Virginia that will help her get these bills paid? Since, as a secondary insurance Unicare is only covering less 20% of her bills. In all honesty, the amount they covered is not enough to justify having paid $500 month in premiums.
I have asked Unicare for a refund of premiums for the month she became 65 and the 2 additional months so that she may pay for he bills herself.
I hope there is a solution for her case if not at least serves a warning for those about to turn 65 years old.
Thanks,
A daughter trying to help her mother
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