I currently live in Phoenix and moving back to CA and wanted to have my health insurance in place. My physical condition is pretty good, 52 year old female. 5’5’ 127 lbs, I take two hormones for par- menopause symptoms. Can down with one Bladder infection in Jan, I am a swimmer: one ear infection Feb.
Now on to the facts: Since enrollment dates and timing regarding health insurance are important before you relocate to another state. I decided to get a jump on it, planning a move date middle of April. I was searching for good coverage in CA so I phoned Aetna, Blue Shield, and Blue Cross of CA in advance to receive a bid. I was quoted by Aetna under $200 with a $8000 deducible, that is pretty excessive since I am unemployed and still searching for work. But still wanting a plan that wouldn’t destroy my life in case of an accident. Aetna approved me first so I decided to go with them. I wasn’t provided any grace period to decide if I wanted the plan I thought would work with my budget. Note I should mention while enrolling they require to have access to first months payment, via Visa etc… which I thought was going to be under $200.

As a consumer I was stuck if you want a policy you have to provide a payment, even if you have not been approved. Underwriting increased my premium almost $100. I inquired they said, because of the bladder infection and ear infection within a year, both conditions have not re-occurred.
I presented my concerns to the broker that works with Aetna. He was not proactive in helping me change or cancel my policy before it goes in affect. April 1, 2011. All he did was send me via e-mail to call their toll free number to cancel. WOW!

I called billing and enrollment thinking I have the right to cancelled effective March 14, 2011 the plan they were offering, . While on the phone with the CSR I requested that my policy will be pulled. Was put on hold while she researched.?? She came back and informed me though she saw my policy it could not remove and wasn’t allowed even by ME and they had to process it. Oh hell no you are forcing me to have a plan I don’t want and cannot afford? Let me talk to a supervisor, was put on hold again.
I was then instructed to send in a formal letter stating the necessary information and then it could be stopped that day, March 14th. I sent my fax two times indicating my demand to remove the policy they assigned without my official approval.

While checking my e-mails today March 18, I discovered Aetna ignored my cancellation letter/fax dated March 14th, went ahead and withdrew the premium of $281.00 March 17th. If I was to accept the policy it’s effected date would be April 1, 2011. FYI to the consumer,
Aetna does not have an independent department or phone number that you call to file a consumer complaint about it’s insurance broker business practice and enrollment policies etc… Aetna does as they want. Buyer be aware they need to be Micromanaged.