The North Carolina Department of Insurance said Monday that it continues to investigate Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina after problems with enrollment early this year prompted hundreds of customer complaints.
The state’s largest health insurer opened the year with about 25,000 customers who were either enrolled in plans they never signed up for or had the wrong amount of money drafted from their bank accounts. Others waited weeks for identification cards to prove to providers that they had health coverage.
The company’s customer service center was swamped by irate calls, leaving many people frustrated and even angrier because they couldn’t speak to anyone to get their problems addressed.
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin in February launched an examination of Blue Cross’ compliance with state laws and regulations.
Regulators delivered their report to Blue Cross on May 31, but the two sides continue to disagree over their findings.
“The Department is going back in to do an additional examination and hopefully move toward a resolution,” the Department of Insurance said in a statement.
Blue Cross spokesman Lew Borman called the disputed findings “part of the normal process.”
“There are areas where we agree and areas where we disagree,” Borman said. “We are working with DOI to reach a resolution to this investigation and move forward.”
Date: August 22, 2016