BCBS Case Manager reviews ? thoughts?

[Willow63]

Hi everyone,

Has anyone ever used a Case Manager provided by your Insurance Company? I am afraid to as I think it might hinder rather than help coverage in the long term.

Thanks on advance for any thoughts?

[DebbieB]

Hi Willow,

I have had a Case Manager assigned, not for myself, but for my daughter when she went through a lengthy illness (not MS).

The Case Manager was a wonderful advocate for us, ensuring we received all care/treatment that we were entitled to.

I had nothing but a positive experience with my BCBS Case Manager.

I've always wondered why they haven't assigned one for me....

[J-Bo]

I used to have BCBS about 3 years ago (now have UHC), and I sort of remember having a case manager. If it had been a bad experience, I'm sure I'd have remembered it very well, so I guess it was OK.

[MakOP]

the job description is in the name

Case managers are hired to make sure things are being done on both sides.

For you they will make sure that things are ordered and handled correctly for you.

From the company side, keeping things managed and done, can decrease the amount that they have to pay for your MS.

Sometimes they are assigned to manage certain symptoms. I do not have a case manager for my MS. I do have a case manager for my depression and pain management.

My boys have a case manager for their asthma.

Case managers should always be a positive experience or they are not doing their job.

[22cyclist]

I had a case manager for BCBS. They were after me for over a year to sign up. I was hesitant like you. However, when I got one they just checked on me occasionally to see how I was doing, sent me MORE info on MS, I got a manager for my PT, who really just talked to me about PT, one for nutrition, which was quite helpful actually. The whole thing lasted about 6 weeks. No big deal. I found it helpful.

Good luck!

Lisa

[MSW1963]

I had a RN case manager while I was going through testing for MS. It was extremely helpful for making appointments with specialist, scheduling test, even reviewing test results. I was not the most enthaustic about it because of privacy concerns, (my employer was my insurer, but that's a different topic).

[poppydarling]

I had two (!) assigned by BCBS when I was insured with them, and it started out promising but they did very little--I don't have the time or energy to manage a case manager! My new insurer Cigna offered one, and they never followed up. It sounds great, when it works...

[cjthatsme]

I have BCBST, I called to request a case manager, advocate, social worker, some kind of info for help. Took them 10 days to return my call, to be told that there's nothing like that in my area. I'm in W. Tenn. and insurance is in E. Tenn. Chatinooga. so now I'm going through my MD and local hospital & church to see if I can just get an advisor!

[kelm10]

nmss

Cjthatsme,

Check with the NMSS to see if they have a case manager. I saw in a previous post that your new neuro undx you. Doesn't matter, I would still seek the assistance of the NMSS for a case manager.

Good luck

[cjthatsme]

Kelm10, Thanks!

Thank you so much for the info! I'm just so worn out from contacting so many different places. I was on the phone for hours on end, 4 days in a row, just trying to get help. I do now have other medical problems so its complicated. Things are offered in different counties out here, where I'm at, there's nothing. So I've now changed all my medical to a larger county, and have been advised to contact the hospital, that they can hook me up with an advocate, advisor, or whatever it is I need. The new clinic is going to help me!

[its2much]

Friendly Automated Call from BCBS

I got a friendly automated call the other day from my insurer, BCBS, saying they wanted to get to know me better!

The first question asked was for me to describe my health - excellent, press 1; very good, press 2; good, press 3; fair, press 4; and poor, press 5. Needless to say, I pressed the disconnect and hung up.

They haven't called back and I'm suspicious of their intent. How did you learn of case managers with them?

[MSW1963]

its2much, what they ment to say was we are gathering very personal info, as cheaply as possible that may not be in your best interest to reveal via an impersonal automated response system that may become part of your electronic medical records forever.

[its2much]

I think you're correct MSW1963

and I wonder what the next question they were going to ask!

[als5445]

I work as a Case manager for Humana through the agency I work for. Basically the bottom line is to cut costs by making sure you aren't re hospitalized. None of the information they gather is to deny you care.

The biggest thing that I think it is useful for is helping find assistance with paying for medications since we have access to a handy website with assistance programs and they teach us about medicare and government programs.

There's too much I could go into about this, so feel free to ask me any questions

[its2much]

The last time I was in the hospital

was when my children were born in the 90's.