How is your medical insurance treating you?

 

I'm sure you've seen headlines like these in recent weeks.

Insurers Request Huge Obamacare Rate Hikes, Many Over 20 Percent

Health Insurers Are Becoming Chronically Uninvestable

They indicate that across the health care industry, costs are becoming unaffordable not only for consumers, but for the insurance providers on whom they rely.

I've noticed a new trend this year.  Previously, I've never been denied a treatment or medication prescribed by a doctor.  This year, I've had four denials, two for medication and two for in-patient hospital treatment.  None were issued directly by my insurer;  they all came from some sort of specialist claims investigation agency employed by my insurer to assess whether the prescribed service(s) and/or medication(s) were "appropriate" or "met clinical guidelines".  This is presumably so that my insurer can claim, "Oh, we didn't deny your treatment - an outside agency did.  It's not our fault!"

I'm told that I'm far from alone in this quandary.  It looks as if anything other than the most basic of medical care is being far more heavily scrutinized, and may be denied.  This is of particular concern to me with some major surgeries pending.  What if they become unaffordable for me, thanks to penny-pinching insurers?

That made me wonder.  What's your experience in recent months, dear readers?  Are you finding it increasingly difficult to get the treatment and/or medication and/or medical services you need?  Are you being fobbed off with excuses?  Please let us know in Comments, so we can assess whether or not this is a common trend.

Thanks.

Peter