Comments on: Empire Health Insurance Company

By: Kevin Bailey

Kevin Bailey — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:08:02 +0000

Empire BCBS isn’t just the worst insurance company I’ve ever had the misfortune to deal with, they are without a doubt the worst company of any kind I’ve ever had to deal with. Forget trying to get assistance on the phone. After spending an inordinate amount of time working though their obtuse voicemail system whatever representative you speak with will prove to be totally and completely useless. I’ve spent more hours on the phone with these people than I can recount and spoken with numerous agents, not once have I ended up with anything approximating a useful outcome. At the moment I’m just trying to get them to change my mailing address. That’s taken 7 calls so far and I’m no where close to completion. Each time I get a completely different story. Of course I should be able to change my address online, but their website is just as bad as their phone service. Briefly, it simply doesn’t work, and of course forget about using the backspace since that causes the entire app to crash, and that’s even before logging in. In short, it is not possible to communicate with this company.

By: Dani

Dani — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:15:07 +0000

Empire Tradition Plus Hospital Program is a rip off insurance. 3 months after enrolling into the plan I broke my foot and went to the ER for an ex-ray. The Tradition Plus Hospital Program does NOT PAY FOR ANY DOCTORS OR PROCEDURES IN THE ER. Did you get this? The do not cover the ER. The cover the “visit” to the ER but NOT any procedures like X-ray or any doctor that will speak to you about your condition. They will bill you afterwards and have 6 months time to do so. This is NOT disclosed anywhere in the paperwork clearly. The do not disclose that 99% of doctors that work in the hospital do NOT work for the hospital and will bill privately. Be very careful with this plan it is NOT the coverage you think it is and will not prevent a huge bill should you have an accident.

The customer service is likewise terrible, rude, condescending and avoiding direct answers to direct questions. When I sated that I was never told this fact about doctors not being included in the plan, they blamed it on the broker that sold me the plan who is not employed by Empire (how convenient for them as they can therefor not be sued for this misinformation.) The told me “as long as you’re handled by the doctors who work for the hospital inside the ER you’re fine” little did I know that 99% of them do not work FOR the hospital. Who knows such things? Its a rip off and clearly waiting for a huge class action suit.

By: Fehsinger

Fehsinger — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:26:11 +0000

My mother had BCBS for years. Anyway, she was hospitalized twice in 2 weeks (discharged to early the 1st time) and BCBS absolutely refused to pay her bills. They looked for an excuse not to pay her bills and claimed that she was no longer lived in NY as her SS check was being sent to me as her representative payee and, therefore, she didn’t reside in NY and they refused to pay her bills.

I spent months trying to prove that she still lived in NY and always did. I had SS write to BCBS to explain the situation, had senator Clinton contact them, and I even had Medicare involved. Believe it or not, BCBS even had they own representative visit her in her home in NY but still refused to pay her bills categorically stating that she didn’t live in NY and, there they didn’t have to pay. Don’t depend on BCBS. They will take your money for decades, but will put you out to dry when you need them. Be forewarned.

Bottom line, I wouldn’t recommend BCBS to anyone. They will take your money and then abandon you.

By: James

James — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:10:01 +0000

@Nick Ecky

While I do not have any personal experience with Empire BCBC (so I will leave the star ratings blank) I just couldn’t resist responding to your comment that:

“they are the most hostile and bureaucratic group you’ve ever seen. BCBS makes a great case for why we NEED some sort of government mandated health care solution!”

It is absolutely hilarious that you think that somehow the United States Government would be LESS bureaucratic than Empire BCBS!!! Pretty funny stuff if that is what you really believe. Wow

PS You could also probably make a strong case that the US Government would be more hostile than Empire BCBS as well if you have ever been to a DMV or when you take into account that if Empire BCBS denies a large claim there are a million attorneys that would jump at the chance to take them on while if the US Government denied a claim under a government health plan then good luck winning against the US Government in court

By: Nick Ecky

Nick Ecky — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:41:52 +0000

While tremendously expensive, empire combines the very comprehensive health insurance plans with the absolute WORST customer service imaginable. If you are ever in need of help they are the most hostile and bureaucratic group you’ve ever seen. BCBS makes a great case for why we NEED some sort of government mandated health care solution!

By: Fostina Silsbe

Fostina Silsbe — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:36:22 +0000

I am very satisfied with my MediBlue Plan. At this time, however, the gym where I go for the Silver Sneakers Program is cutting the days down to ONE!! I do not drive & can walk to this gym. The instructor is fantastic but we need more days, not less.

Over all your company is vry good–they pay the doctors in a quick time & when I’ve had a question your people have been very helpful.

Thank you, Fostina