TODAY’S HINT: We learned something last week that surprised us
and may be helpful to some of our readers, particularly those who
carry Blue Cross health insurance.[neWLine]

Here’s what happened:[neWLine]

We got a bill from a company that provided a medical service at
Bradford hospital – in this case it was Regional Radiology
Association in Watertown, N.Y. Included was a charge for about $100
in services that normally would be covered by health
insurance.[neWLine]

No clear explanation was provided, of course, only the cryptic
coding which said, “”incorrect ID and prefix.””[neWLine]

“”Your insurance carrier has rejected payment for this claim.
For non-payment information contact your insurance company
directly. Please remit payment promptly.””[neWLine]

Many people we know would simply write out a check and be done
with it, and so many senior citizens are afraid to question
anything for fear of sounding stupid.[neWLine]

We called Blue Cross, and got this explanation.[neWLine]

A spokesman named “”Susan”” said that new privacy laws were
beginning to call for more stringent standards when reporting the
name of an individual who has received medical care.[neWLine]

For example, the insurer may have at one time recognized “”M.L.
Smith”” as “”Mary Lou Smith.”” No more. Not only will that claim
possibly be rejected but, because of the name discrepancy, the
policy holder may not even be notified – after all, you don’t
really exist in their records.[neWLine]

In other words, you don’t even know there had been a problem
until the bill from the medical provider arrives in the
mail.[neWLine]

Go figure.[neWLine]

[neWLine]

HE WAS THERE: Jim Piscitelli phoned to tell us he was at the
dedication of the old Seneca Junction Bridge in the year 1926. He
was a lad of about 16, he reports.[neWLine]

We had written about the dedication in a recent RTS, quoting
from a Bradford promotional booklet published in 1926.[neWLine]

Jim asks us if the booklet mentioned A.J. Bonds, a county
commissioner, being in attendance at the dedication. We did not see
such a reference but an A.J. Bonds is the author of an article
which tells about Bradford’s many “”concrete roads.”” He is also
listed among the “”active members of the Bradford Board of
Commerce.””[neWLine]

Incidentally, Jim tells us he’ll be 97 years old this week.
Wow.