My provider for some reason - I really dont know why signed her insurance reimbursements over to me since I had already paid her in cash, instead of depositing the checks and just writing me one of her own. This left me with several hundred dollars in third party checks which my bank wouldn't deposit for me. So I called the insurance company who said, sure send the endorsed checks back to us and we will reissue them directly to you. But instead, they issued them to the policy holder, my ex husband, who wasn't even involved in the payment of this bill in any way, but likes the idea of getting "free money" and has no intention of turning the reimbursement over to me. Does the insurance company bear any legal liability since they assured me that if I sent them my endorsed checks, they would reissue them to ME (never mentioning my ex husband)?. This is hundreds of dollars and the insurance company is giving me the old- we only issue checks to the insured line- what can I do?
2007-12-04 08:32:04 · 4 answers · asked by Luci 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
I was insured by my ex as part of the separation agreement, it is customary in the state of Virginia for the spouse who carries the health insurance to continue to carry the health insurance until the divorce is final. The the divorce becomes the qualifying event for new health insurance for the spouse. Since the claims had dragged on due to some foot dragging on the part of the provider, I had actually paid the bills before the provider got reimbursed from the insurance company. Consequently, the provider sent me checks which were endorsed over to me. Odd, but I was just happy to be reimbursed. Until now- that the insurance company has taken my checks away and sent new checks to my ex-husband. They have expressed their willingness to contact the ex and request that he sent the checks back to them!
2007-12-04 08:58:47 · update #1
Payments go to the policy holder, that's just the way it works. Unfortunately, the insurance company is off the hook b/c they followed their procedure. Its not their responsibility to make sure that the policy holder forwards payments to you.
What *should* have happened is that your provider cashed the insurance checks, then reimbursed you for the charges you paid with a check from the provider's own account.
You'll have to take your husband to court for the money - its the only way you'll see it.
2007-12-04 11:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by sarah314 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The insurance company can ONLY send checks to the named insured - the policy holder, if you will.
Legally, they could get in HUGE trouble by sending a check to anyone else. It's not up to them to say, "oh, are you divorced?" You're presumed to be married to him.
It's his policy - all reimbursements are entitled to HIM. Sorry. You'll have to ask him for the money.
2007-12-04 10:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The insurer is correct. They DO only issue reimbursements to the policy holder of record, which begs another question. Just how are you insured on the health insurance policy of a man to whom you are no longer married ?
2007-12-04 08:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The other answers are right, payments go to the insured. Also, if your provider was a preferred provider with your insurance company, why in the world would you go ahead and pay them before your insurance paid?? I don't have money for that. That's why I have insurance.
2007-12-04 10:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by stargal0719 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋