My insurance company requested extra info

[jimsmith]

What is the name of your state? California

Some time ago my health insurance company have sent me a questionary where it asks to provide information about another health insurances I and mu spouse may have and if I or my spouse have or had a long-term disability benefits.

Why it may want such information and am I obligated to give answers?

 

[cbg]

They want that information so that they can know whether or not there are any other polices with which they must coordinate their payments. They are legally entitled to that information and, while you cannot be forced to provide it, they have no legal obligation to make any payments until you do.

 

[jimsmith]

But why they are asking about the long-term disability? Can they use the fact that my spouse does have it (actually at very end of it) to drop him from the coverage?

 

[cbg]

Are we talking about an employer sponsored group health insurance plan?

 

[jimsmith]

Are we talking about an employer sponsored group health insurance plan?

Yes, we are.

 

[cbg]

When it comes to employer sponsored health insurance benefits, the insurance carrier does not have the option and cannot legally drop a member from the plan. ONLY the employee has the absolute option of doing so; even the employer can only do so with the knowledge and permission of the employee. Once you elect health insurance, as long as the plan exists (the employer can cancel the overall plan without your permission) ONLY YOU can drop the insurance or drop a dependent from the plan.

So it doesn't matter why they are asking. There's an overwhelming likelihood that it is for the reason I already provided. But it is NOT so that they can drop the member or dependent from the coverage.

 

[jimsmith]

Thank you. That is all I wanted to know.