Consumer Watchdog is investigating Blue Shield’s outrageous practice of forcing consumers to pay 100% of the charge for tests, treatments, and services that should have been be covered.

In most health insurance policies, once a patient meets the annual deductible, he or she only pays a small share of the cost of care in the form of  “copays” and “co-insurance” until reaching the “out-of-pocket maximum.” Not so with certain Blue Shield policies. Consumers are required to pay the full price for common treatments, tests, and services, such as x-rays and MRIs—even after they have met their annual deductible.

The practice arises from a misleadingly labeled “copayment/coinsurance maximum,” ranging from $2,900 to $15,000, which consumers must pay before the insurer provides any coverage.

We want to hear from you. Specifically, we are looking for consumers:

·      Who obtained services such as an outpatient x-ray, lab services, blood test, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, emergency room physician services, or home health care services within the last four years; and

·      Who had to pay the full charge because they had not met their “copayment/coinsurance maximum.”

As always, we won’t share your information with any other person or organization. Please tell us what happened and include your name, city or town, telephone number, and a convenient time to call you.

Thanks in advance for your help.