Should I Even Bother?

When you have two insurance policies covering one individual, then one become primary and one becomes secondary. That is usually based on state law unless the patient is the policy holder-then his insurance is primary and the other policy is secondary. Any medical bills are submitted to the first company, once they determine deductibles and payments, then the claim is sent to the second carrier and they pay their part based on coverage. In many instances, both policies cover most of the medical expenses.

I've always been under the impression when there's dual coverage insurance co. use the birthday rule. Meaning whoever's birthday comes first in the year is primary. Maybe that's not the norm anymore haven't had a secondary in over 3 years. I would definitely take the insurance card information and go ahead and give the information to the provider's who your son has seen. In some cases, they may cover more than your policy = no out pocket expense you otherwise might have had to pay! I see it as a positive not so much as a negative

It shouldnt have anything to do with the 1st insurance coverage but I think that in most cases you have to submit the paperwork yourself. I work in a Pharmacy...so it is a little bit different...we can "split bill" to both insurances in most cases...you could talk to the billing department of the drs. office/hospital...and see what they have to say. They are going to be the most reliable source of information for you.

It's called coordination of benefits.
Dual coverage happens often.
Say you had insurance through your employer an your husband had it as well. Yours would be primary and his would be secondary.
In your case, submit both cards to the medical provider and let them hash it out.
Contact the carrier directly to see how the benefits are split.
Dual coverage is not a bad thing.

Best wishes.

AFTER READING YOUR SO WHAT HAPPENED:
Your words: It costs the ex-husbands wife nothing more out of her paycheck because they have the family plan.

Mama, If he wasn't married to her, he could be married to or hooked up with some loser who had nothing to offer your child. At least your former husband found something more then a younger, prettier, sexier CHICK, because he didn't have the good sense to honor his vows to you. The new wife and step-mother seems to have some family values. See the good and not the bad.

Blessings....

You are NOT over it IF "it still hurts". Yes the more insurance the better. I think you should "rethink" your attitude towards your former husband's wife, you may not like her, but if she is willing to do anything that will benefit your child, please accept it.

Double insurance, the percentage that your's pays (i.e. 60% or more, in some cases the remainder would be picked up by the other insurance carrier).

What I don't understand (maybe a typo) "son has only seen her bio dad"......

Bottom line, DON'T CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE.

Blessings......

I just went through this with ex. The insurance companies go by whoever (the primary insured) has the first birthday. So my ex is March; I'm July my child is automatically insured by him first. The insurance companies say they have a right to insure and only a court order can fix that even if it's inferior insurance.

Hi, T:

Let's look at the insurance question from another point of view:

The wife of the ex-husband is carrying your son's primary insurance, right?
Why doesn't your husband carry the insurance? Just a thought.
The Wife is really being generous because the premium is coming out of her pay check. It is not free!

Thank her for the card. (even if she was late sendiing it, you had the coverage)

It is so hard to have to be around an ex and his new wife. It really takes guts to include them in any affairs. Have you invited them to things out of courtesy? If you invite them and they say "NO." You have done the right thing

Just a thought. This kind of behavior happens all the time because of our hurt feelings and we feel like we have no control of situations in life.

Thanks for asking.
All the Best.
D.

One of our grandkids dads does cover his daughter on his insurance. It is a good idea because if something happened to her and her state medical card did not cover the bills he and my daughter would have to each pay half of the remainder. It is in our court papers that we are not legally responsible for any medical bills the kids might generate. It covers us from being sued if their bills are not paid and it assigns the proper person the bill.

I think it is wonderful of her to even think of doing it. That is money out of their pocket to help in case of an emergency. The doc's office knows how to do it and they can tell you how it works. You just show both cards and they bill what her insurance doesn't pay. I guess you could have them bill the other one first if you wanted to.

I definitely would use both! It'll save you money;-)

You need to call your insurance carrier. They will tell you who is primary and who is secondary (usually whoever has custody of the child is primary) the hospital or doctors etc will bill the primary insurance first and then after that is paid it will bill the secondary. our daughter was covered by blue cross blue shield. my husband was the primary carrier of insurance and her dads was secondary since we had custody.

You can give them both cards. it will pay any part the 1st doesnt. who is supposed to have him covered? If your ex is then this should be the primary.