Getting the best care and services means
understanding how your health plan works, what your rights are, and
how to complain if you need to.You have the right to get copies of
test results as well as medical information about yourself. If you
are in a managed care plan, you can ask to change your primary care
doctor if you are unhappy with the relationship. You may
also be able to switch plans during open enrollment.
Most plans have an appeals process that both you and your doctor may
use if you disagree with the plan's decisions. If your plan refuses
to provide or pay for services, you can complain or file a grievance
about any decision you feel is unfair or you can appeal
it.
You can contact the member services division of your plan for
more information or to complain. Use your plan's complaint process
fully before taking other action.
Be sure to keep written records of:
- All correspondence with the plan.
- Claims forms and copies of bills.
- Phone conversations the date and time, the people you speak
with, and the nature of each call.
If the plan does not satisfy you, you may decide to bring the
matter to the attention of your employee benefits manager, your
State insurance commissioner, your State department of health, or
the legal system. If you are a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary, you
have additional ways through those programs to file a grievance about the care received from a plan
or provider. For information, contact your State's medical Peer Review Organization or State Medicaid
Program.