The Zoo over Ambuscade Street

Good Idea: Ok, there isn't really one in this situation

Bad Idea: Making several thousand people, all on multiple 100MB and Gigabit networks, go through the same single TEN MEGABIT connection to get all of their email. And files. And get to the timecard servers. And, and, and.

I suspect the evil they are using a single brain-damaged monkey to design this "network."

My insurance company, since the first of the year, has been steadfastly refusing to pay for...anything. At all. Including things that are quite clearly covered. Apparently, judging by the reaction at my doctor's office when I mentioned it, this is far from an isolated case. And, sadly, most people just pay.

The smaller things were dealt with by third-parties, and I've been waiting for an actual bill to arrive from the various doctors to take any direct action. Friday, one bill arrived as expected, so preparations to deal with the insurance company were being put into place.

I've been trying to determine exactly how hostile I'm going to be when I call. There's a lot of history between me and insurance companies (16 different plans in four year sucks), so I know that some level of hostility is required. It's honestly the only way you can accomplish anything when dealing with them. Family friends who work for health insurance companies have concurred on this. I've been trying to decide where, on the range between 'mildly irritated' and 'launch cruise missles' I currently stand.

Then comes today. When I get a bill for $400 for Erik's CAT scan. CAT. Acan. Covered. Procedure. Not a single penny paid. Not one. Not even an attempt from the insurance company.

Which means I'll be escalating directly to 'launch cruise missle' mode, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. What does this translate to in RealLife(tm)? Something like this:

Me: "You haven't paid claims #XXXXX and #YYYYY, both 100% covered procedures under our policy. If you don't pay them, I'm going to be calling the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. You have five minutes."

I kind of wish I was kidding...