This is the bridge to nowhere. Constant delays, confusion, and the network is poorly set up. After a month of asking who doctors are in the network, I received one recommendations for doctor that is retired. It is great if they pay 100%. The problem is finding a doctor and then actually scheduling the surgery.
The BridgeHealth program through my insurance company was a lifesaver!!! My Coordinator was amazingly patient and supportive (I was totally freaking out), she was on track with the time scale I was given to make arrangements for my family responsibilities. I had access to one of the best Stanford cardiologists. I also did not ever receive a bill for the surgery and cardiac therapy. Thanks to my coordinator and the program I m alive today! I could not have ever afforded the surgery even with my health insurance alone. THANK YOU!
I would give zero stars if possible. This plan is a GIGANTIC waste of time and money! I do not recommend and if you are a decision maker at a health trust or insurer, I advise you avoid contracting out with this group!
I live in Juneau, Alaska, a town not connected to the contiguous U.S. by a road system. As you can imagine, health care here is quite expensive. Sometimes more than 5x the national average. In an effort to alleviate this, the union I am insured through contracted out with Bridgehealth at humongous expense.
Fast forward 2 years. I have been informed that I have a kidney stone and require a routine operation known as a laser lithotripsy. Just arriving at this diagnosis cost approx $5000 in copays for tests and imaging. Fortunately, through this process I met my Max out of Pocket. Unfortunately doctors in this town charge absolutely exorbitant amounts, and any amount exceeding "usual and customary" is not beholden to the Max out of Pocket limit.
So I turned to Bridgehealth. This started out well. Dara, my case manager was friendly and sent me the required paperwork with only a short delay. I sent them back the same day. Two weeks passed before I was contacted again. Dara called to tell me we were still waiting. This happened every 2 weeks for quite awhile. No updates at all. Just Dara calling to tell me we were waiting.
Finally, after about 8 weeks Dara tells me that they are missing records and can I please get those sent. These are records that were sent initially and why it took 8 weeks for Bridgehealth to realize they were missing, I do not know. But, as I'd been living with chronic pain, I was eager to get the surgery and so I proceed to obtain the required records a second time. Weeks passed with no word.
Finally Dara called to explain why I had been declined for coverage. This about 3 months after initial contact, was the first time I had heard that I'd been declined and said as much. Her reply was that she "could have sworn she told me already". The reason she gave for the declination was that because of an absolutely minor pre-existing condition, for my safety, I needed to get surgery in-town.
I clarified that for my safety, Bridgehealth suggested that I get surgery in a city where if anything goes wrong, it would require an emergency air ambulance to Seattle? Dara then transferred me to her supervisor.
Justin, the supervisor was also a jolly type but equally profoundly unhelpful. He pretended to "double check" with a doctor, and although they could easily have ordered tests that would provide a true gauge of my risk, I was told I am never a candidate for BridgeHealth. I personally have paid ~25k on premiums and co-pays this year. That even a single dollar of that went to an organization that WITHOUT MEDICAL EVIDENCE rejects covered patients, is CRIMINAL.
I am the president of my union and I will do everything in my power to ensure these crooks cease claiming premium dollars for services they refuse to render.
Stay away!
My husband's neck surgery was performed by a top-notch local surgeon. All of our expenses were covered! Great option.
Excellent staff worked closely with me for my hernia surgery. Domestic Medical Tourism is an affordable way to go and Bridge Health provides excellent Doctors and facilities. Very happy.
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