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To the editor:
In 2021, Judge Lyle Frank called the defunct Medicare Advantage enrollment process “irrational.” The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees called it a “rushed schedule” replete with “incomplete, erroneous, or conflicting information.”
There are ironic echoes in the current copay claims fiasco.
Many retirees are struggling to obtain receipts for co-pays, facing hurdles, e.g. delayed responses from the claims administrator, extra steps regarding deceased spouses, providers who changed billing vendors, the inability to file online, missing claims dates on Atticus’s claim form.
Any hope that the Oct. 30 filing deadline would be extended was dashed on Oct. 9 when Marianne Pizzitola, president of NYCOPSR declined. Her rationale was the results of a two-question limited survey emailed to members.
It is inexplicable that such an important decision affecting so many would be based on a snap poll of a small sample. Some perspective: The November 29, 2022, complaint stated that 183,000 retirees were affected and that NYCOPSR had over 16,000 members (9 percent) at the time.
Despite the chaos of the claims process being evident. Retirees were advised to deliberately make a mistake (“upload the wrong thing”) to extend the process past Oct. 30. Even suggesting to send a picture of a pet to gain time to cure the mistake.
It was said with a tone deafness that was striking, considering the stakes and what retirees are being put through.
NYCOPSR may go back to court, due to billing problems between Emblem and provider hampering documentation for the filing of claims. (But NOT to extend the deadline.)
As of this writing, Pizzitola's video on the deadline has 1,300 views. Many retirees are left in the dark. uninformed of new developments Atticus could reach more by mail, and with a better survey.
And if our attorneys, who will receive $10 million no matter how many claims are filed, countenance this improvisational process and October 30 deadline - shame on them.
Harry Weiner
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Harry Weiner
Retirees who needed to send Explanations of Benefits to Atticus (due to missing co-pays on the populated Claim Form) were suddenly advised of a change in the process, by Bob Ganley, Vice President of NYCOPSR.
The operative procedure was to contact Atticus for a secure link. But now…
“Don’t call Atticus for a secure link. You’re not going to get one. I don’t know where they’re going to end up. They may end up in a shredder.”
In an email to retirees on October 11, the explanation was “They changed their mind.” And left at that.
This on the fly improvisational claims process is woeful.
Retirees deserve better.
Extend the deadline!
5 hours ago Report this