Whenever there is a discussion about the merits of employer-sponsored insurance vs. individual insurance, someone inevitably brings up the issue of having leverage with the insurance company.  They say something like "Of course group insurance is better.  With group you have an entire company backing you up.  With individual you're on your own."

I'd love to understand how people that make this argument envision a claims dispute.  It sounds like they're thinking of it as a fight outside of school between an employee and the insurance company where both sides round up a posse to intimidate their opponent.  I'm pretty sure this isn't how it works.

I have a real question for our readers.  I've never been involved in a dispute with an insurance carrier, so I really don't fully understand what the process is.  The question is: have you had problems getting a claim approved by an insurance carrier, and if you did have a problem, did your employer call up the insurance carrier and pressure them into approving the claim?

My guess is that employers almost never get involved and that even when they do, it makes absolutely no difference.  If you have any experience with this, share with us in the comments.