"Our Records Show" Reminder from Insurance Company - NOT HAPPY.

[Whittliz]

I received in the mail today a "friendly" brochure from my insurance company addressed to the parents of Avery. It was a reminder that my child's health is important. It says "Immunize him or her against all recommended vaccine-preventable diseases." This irritates me.

But here is where I get really mad. It says "Our records show that your child is due for one or more immunizations." Then goes on for several sentences about contacting my doctor, keeping on schedule with shots, etc...on the inside of the brochure is the CDC schedule in English and Spanish complete with cute magnets for my fridge.

"Our records show" is where I really got pissed. Obviously, they don't get billed for vaccines, but only our well-child visit. They then felt compelled to suggest a medical procedure for my daughter.

All of my being wants to make a fuss about it, make a call, send a letter, etc., to let them know that I never want to receive medical or parenting advice from my insurance provider (WHO I PAY) in the mail again!

Am I risking a flag on my file that says I'm "difficult?" Or in some ridiculous turn of events they will try to drop coverage for Avery? I know, it's far-fetched, but crazier things have happened, right?

Any thoughts? TIA.

[serenbat]

You could look at it this way- at least your insurance company WANTS to pay, mine won't even pay for WBV and they pay 0 % for vacs!

We are in a large group, with no opt-out and under the current program that Obama wants, we won't have the option to switch.

[*Erin*]

we just got something very similar in the mail for our son. gah. *rolling eyes* so irritating. what's funny to me is that he's 18 months, and never had ANY vax, but now they for some reason feel compelled to "remind" us that he "may have missed one or more of his recommended vaccines"...
ugh.

[leila1213]

What do you mean they don't get billed for vaxes? Oh, I guess certain states mandate they pay for them. In FL, it was a good thing ins paid 100% of the $550 bill for my DD's 2 month shots, or there would have been a major stink at the doc's office and they never would have seen a penny of it! I was so pissed that they could charge that much with nary a word about the potential effects OR the costs!!! I guess they're glad they practice in FL where it is mandated that ins cos pay for them, too. :

[kimiij]

These sort of letters are common among some insurance companies. It's their way of keeping healthcare costs down. Their rationale is that if we intervene in situations where kids are not vaccinating, then we could be preventing more costly disease treatment in the future.

They do the same for cardiovascular patients or diabetes patients who are behind on getting their prescriptions filled for a condition that could get worse (and cost them more money) if left untreated.

[wholewheatmama]

I got something similar from my insurance company a few months ago. It also stated that the materials had been paid for by the pharmaceutical company whose vaccines they were suggesting I get for my daughter. There was a number to call to opt out of future similar mailings. I did call and left a message stating that a pharmaceutical company would not be dictating the health care decisions for my child, TYVM. I haven't received any more mailings, but I then received a phone call a couple of months later once again reminding me about the importance of vaccinations. :

[Jemmind]

I DO vax and she's up to date and I still got that letter from mt insurance company:/

[Whittliz]

Originally Posted by kimiij

These sort of letters are common among some insurance companies. It's their way of keeping healthcare costs down. Their rationale is that if we intervene in situations where kids are not vaccinating, then we could be preventing more costly disease treatment in the future.

They do the same for cardiovascular patients or diabetes patients who are behind on getting their prescriptions filled for a condition that could get worse (and cost them more money) if left untreated.

I have decided not to worry about it and just ignore my feelings of invasion. I hadn't really thought about other medical reminders, like the ones above, that they would also send.

Thanks for your thoughts. I hate feeling like my parenting choices are under the microscope....

[_betsy_]

Recycle it, just like all other junk mail.

I've gotten them too, though my doc is on board with our vax plans.

[Jemmind]

I just got a PHONE CALL about this now too.

[nia82]

Got a letter yesterday that their records show that DS needs one or more doses of HiB. It's from the "immunization clinic" on base. I called them to inform them not to bother with more letters.... The technician put a note in DS's file, however said that the next technician most likely will ignore it. I will keep calling each time they send that to me, after all I explained to her she is wasting government resources there.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I got the stuff too and found out it's part of my state's initiative because they get a kick-back from the natl. gov't for every fully-vaxed kid in the state. : Lovely, huh? I was going to wrap up the magnet and give it to my sister as a gift (she doesn't vax either).

[shanniesue2]

Is it annoying? yes. But are they purposely trying to annoy you? No. They probably have a number of motivations: 1)they honestly believe that vaxing is important and beneficial, 2) some sort of kick back from a pharmacuetical company, 3) an attempt at cutting the potential cost of a treating a VPD, etc.

Some of those motives are less noble than others... but IMO none of them are really worth getting into a frenzy over. They aren't trying to tforce you into anything. Just sending you a notice. So my advice is to ignore their advice and just keep going about your daily business. If they start sending multiple notices and calling you, then you might consider saying something. Otherwise, it sounds like a piece of mail that is worthy of your recycling bin.

[MissE]

Got the same letter a few weeks ago. I read it and threw it into our 'burn pile'...problem solved