3. Develop a relationship (if possible) with someone at the plan.
Telephone contact is usually available, and if you can develop a relationship with one particular person, it will be easier in the future to get your bills paid. If that doesn’t work, then be sure to get any correspondence with the health plan in writing. Before you call, gather important information such as your insurance card and policy booklet or recent bill. When you receive answers to your questions over the phone, ask the individual to e-mail you the response, and ask for his full name and title. You should document the conversation along with the individual’s name and the date of the call, just in case you followed a directive that is changed in the future. Hospitals use this technique with a fairly good degree of success and you should be able to benefit from it as well.