Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2002 14:56:03 -0500 (EST)
From: Timothy Edmunds
To: hlth.mspltrs@gems9.gov.bc.ca, brbmspq@gems2.gov.bc.ca, clmb@gems6.gov.bc.ca
Subject: MSP bill (fwd)
Hello,
I am having great difficulty contacting MSP to resolve my account situation. I have received no reply to my two previous efforts to communicate with an MSP representative by e-mail (see below), and today, when I finally buckled and made the long-distance call (having had no success with the 1-800 numbers from my area), navigated my way through the automated system, got kicked out, phoned again, then pretended I had no touch-tone phone in a desperate attempt to be put through to a client service representative, I was informed that due to "technical difficulties," my call could not be taken.
Now that I have received a "Collection Notice," I am making this penultimate attempt to contact you at MSP to reiterate that I cancelled my coverage effective Sept. 1, 2002 AD. In the event that I receive no response to this e-mail either, I will purchase 1 (one) stamp and mail a copy of all my correspondences to the Honourable Colin Hansen, and trust in his good offices to handle the problem. Should that fail, I will throw my hands in the air and then wash my hands of the entire situation (after removing them from the air).
Thank you for your attention,
Timothy Edmunds
Account number #########
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 15:49:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Timothy Edmunds
To: brbmspq@gems2.gov.bc.ca
Subject: MSP bill (fwd)
Hello,
I have received a billing notice from MSP indicating that my account is overdue. However, the bill indicates that I am being billed for coverage from Nov 01/02 to Aug 31/03, in spite of the fact that I submitted the online form to cancel my coverage beginning Sept. 01/02. I would like to repeat (see below) my request for clarification of my account status.
My account number is #########.
I attempted to contact MSP through the number provided on the bill (1-888-788-4357), but the line was constantly "busy."
Timothy Edmunds
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 10:18:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: Timothy Edmunds
To: hlth.mspltrs@gems9.gov.bc.ca
Subject: MSP bill
Hello,
I moved to the United States in August, and I submitted the online coverage cancellation form indicating that I wished to discontinue coverage on Sept. 1, 2002. I have just been informed by a friend who picked up my mail at my old residence in Vancouver that I have received a bill from MSP charging for coverage from Oct. 1, 2002 to Aug. 31, 2003, and I would like to seek clarification of my status.
Thank you,
Timothy Edmunds
PS I do not currently have my MSP number, but I can provide further identifying information if necessary.
Posted: November 22, 2002 03:07 PMTim;
This made for an entertaining read. Thanks for the info. I’ve had problems w/ BC MSP as well.
Good luck
Hello Tim,
I was just reading your comment to cancel your MSP coverage and wanted to reply. From personal experience any request to MSP can take on average of 90 days (3 months). This does include Cancelling an account.
The question I have for you is were you aware that you must pay for the month you move out of the province + 2 additonal months (September, October, and November). If you would have indicated the exact date you moved out of the province (August XX) you would have saved yourself 1 month. Also, from previous experience you here are the order the bills go in. 1) Bill, 2) an “nice” reminder you are overdue. 3) A Bill with “Overdue” stamped on it. 4) another “overdue” bill (not as nice). 5) Finally a collection letter. This tells me that you probably did not pay upto when you moved.
Well, my problem was resolved right on the 90 days they informed me it would be and in fact I received the overpayment and did not have to go through the collection agency or any overdue notice.
Hope this helps you with your battle. Oh, just another tip… if you are called from a collection agency you might want to inform them you have filled in all the information to cancel the service - they might check to be sure you have paid the 3 months owing. Then they will not bother you for 3 further months - if the paperwork was not done.
Well, good luck and hope you have had it resolved by now.
A. Friend
Just to clarify because a. friend was mentioning tips. When you move out of the country you don’t have to pay the month you leave plus 2 more..you only pay to the end of the month you leave. It’s when you move to another province when you have to pay the extra months until your new province picks up your medical