Insurance company taken for a ride? BCBSIL

While this is a bit off topic, I can certainly relate to this statement, "frivolous malpractice claims and insurance".

About 5 years ago now, I was sued by a patient. Long story short, she had filed the same suit in 5 different states in a 2 year time frame. The Judge decided to dismiss the case instead of hearing it and I was left with over $50,000 in travel and Attorney fees (I had to fly a Malpractice lawyer up from Seattle, not cheap). A couple of days after the case was dismissed, my lawyer called and said that the Judge had contacted him stating that after he had reviewed all the evidence presented by myself and the woman, he would have ruled in my favor anyway.

So, since 2005 I carry malpractice insurance, it has gone up over 100% since that first year.

Here are some numbers for you:
My malpractice costs 2008 2009
Monthly $593.75 $710.00
Yearly $7,125.00 $8520.00


I'm just a Respiratory Therapist, I can only imagine what it is for some doctor's. This all comes out of my own pocket too, no reimbursement from my employer.

BC/BS is the worst of the worst, bottom of the barrel, absolute crappiest insurance on the planet. I kid you not. The. Worst. I have them now and had them before in the past. They only get worse and worse. I'm surprised they're paying anything at all for you. With me EVERYTHING is a battle to get them to pay it at all. Every. Single. Claim. I have to call them, get put on hold for probably a total of 3 hours, get passed around from person to person...each one having a different story about what is or is not covered. That's only IF they answer the phone at all. And just last month they asked the MI insurance commission if they could raise their premium rates 56%. FOR WHAT!? They take our/our employers' money and they deny claims and give the run around. I have friends in other states who have the same problem with the BC/BS in their state. I hate them. I wonder when we are going to have something like a real health benefit for everyone.

I got my machine in December, and asked that my insurance company convert the unit to sale before the end of the year. I spoke with them and told them that my company was reducing its benefits by increasing the deductible to a HIGH amount. They suggested an auto pap, and agreed to my request. All I needed was 5 days of compliance. I brought my card to the DME, they downloaded the information, and I was done. Everything is 100% owned.

This is surprising because they told me that the autopap would reduce doctor visits and would adjust for my condition better. It was the best advice I have received from an insurance company.