Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

For former employees who took COBRA ...

I called the Benefits Center towards the end of March to stop coverage, telling them I had a new employer that provided coverage on Day 1 - medical, vision, dental, the whole shebang. Was told that it was so close to the end of the month that my payment would be processed but refunded.

May 1st comes, and I still did not get my COBRA premiums refunded, so I called them. Found out that they had only cancelled medical, and they had processed another visual and dental payment from the medical premium that should have been refunded. WTF? What part of new employer, have coverage, cancel COBRA did they not understand? I even made a point of asking "Is vision and dental part of COBRA?" "Yes, sir, it is." WTF part 2?

So the rep claims to have opened a ticket to find out why my refund never went through. Meanwhile, I can't recover the April premiums for the coverage I didn't need. Said they will call me with the resolution of the ticket (not holding my breath). Said I will receive a notice in the mail confirming cancellation of vision and dental (not holding my breath).

Looks like c-appy customer service isn't just limited to customer-facing side of the business. My advice - when you stop COBRA coverage, don't take the Benefits Center mail notice at face value. Call and confirm that it has stopped.

by
| 1885 views | | 7 replies (last May 5, 2019) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+YRVKHDu

7 replies (most recent on top)

@YRVKHDu-2yni: Which "@YRVKHDu" are you speaking to? To yourself maybe?

If you are talking to me, just plain ol' "@YRVKHDu" - I wrote this to give people a heads-up on what they might encounter post-T. Far more useful and relevant than whatever you have to offer.

"trash talk a company that kept you fed." Child, I earned my paycheck, they didn't just hand it to me. "Our employees are our most valuable assets" and "Thank you for all you do". Indeed.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @3kme+YRVKHDu

@YRVKHDu-1cit Living the dream by coming to this forum to complain and trash talk a company that kept you fed. Your dream really s--- if you have nothing better to do.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2yni+YRVKHDu

SO THANKFUL THAT I AM DONE WITH THIS COMPANY. LIVING THE DREAM AND NOT THE NIGHTMARE.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1cit+YRVKHDu

Use email to communicate. Look up VP and SVP level in webphone or Q and up for the HR person you are dealing with. Start copying VP and SVP on your email correspondence. Also copy the director of your HR person.... Skip the AVP level. Yes, skip and do not copy the AVP level.... I GUARANTEE the director of the HR person will move heaven and earth to get your issue resolved. Don't waste time with anyone below director level. Also for good measure, copy the SVP of your organization too. I did this when I had trouble with HR and got a long running (months) issue resolved in less than a week.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1pga+YRVKHDu

I might suggest to all that you record these calls, on your own, sock them away until or unless you need to verify these conversations with HR for your own proof and protection. Having HR go back and retrieve their own recordings was a nice stroke.

I record any, and all calls having to do with any company where money is exchanged. Especially when changing, discontinuing or upgrading a service.....takes the mystery out of who is right and who’s not!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @fze+YRVKHDu

sounds like calling att for billing problems. its the harvard business school model of customer service. take your money as often as possible.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @syu+YRVKHDu

They screwed my COBRA up as well. My scenario was I wanted to keep my Dental - that’s it. By the time it was said and done I received a bill for everything Medical, Dental, Vision, Care Plus- a shocking bill at that. I called in- they have to *CREATE A TICKET* I hate that phrase- AT&T mantra CREATE A TICKET. After the “ticket” cleared there was nothing to be done because we were now 90 days out and choices had been locked in. By the way- yes someone has the authority to change it.

I pointed out that I was being punished because the HR person screwed up. I know exactly what I said I wanted on the phone & she repeated it back. The person I was speaking with then saw the day & time I called originally to get Dental only. I told her now trot your happy a-- down to where you guys have all of the recordings of these HR conversations to cover your a-- for these very reason- You will need it to *ESCALATE THE TICKET* see I know things too, because guess what I am right & HR is wrong.

Cobra is such a sensitive labor, government, stay out of the news, type issue they do not want to hear HR SCREWED UP MY COBRA & MY LAWYER in the same sentence. It got fixed, prorated & ready to go the next day.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @jpa+YRVKHDu

Post a reply

: