Today's really weird situation involving a place called Matrix Medical Network

[Siwsan]

I was out working in the yard and missed a phone call on the landline. The call didn’t actually show up on my caller ID - I saw it when I checked my Xfinity voice account page to check on another call. This call was labeled as coming from my Advantage plan and was from my area code, despite the local office being closed, right now. (The main office is located in the Detroit area.) Anyway, I called the number back and it rang to someplace called Matrix Medical Network, which is actually in Scottsdale, AZ. So I googled them and the first thing that popped up was something to do with a scam related to their services. I THINK they might be involved in home assessment visits - something I neither need or want and have already made that perfectly clear, during a previous call. Anyway, they didn’t leave a voicemail, or there’s something wonky with my phone service, right now. Weird, right?

But I digress. Has anyone else ever been contacted by, or had any experience with them? I’m wondering if I should contact my advantage plan provider and report this.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I've had no contact with them, nor do I recognize their name.

I would definitely contact your advantage plan provider! They need to know that these types of calls are being made.

[Siwsan]

2. It's just weird that my call log shows a 17 second 'answer' but there's no voicemail!

The complaints I read said that they try to pressure seniors into giving them personal information and making it really difficult to get out of the pressure for these in home assessments. Now I'm wondering if this is who contacted me at 10pm, one night, asking me ALL KINDS of questions. I did contact my plan about that.

Honestly, I know there are senior citizens who need extra care and observation but I'm still lugging 40 lb bags of water softener salt from the shelf to the cart to my car to my house, down the basement stairs and into the barrel! Still maintaining my house and BIG yard and gardens, pretty much on my own. And I certainly don't want some stranger wandering through my house, 'assessing' things.

In other words, I'm still not even close to being ready to act my age.

[marybourg]

3. It seems to be a legitimate part of Aetna.

I’ve seen their building in Scottsdale.

Edited to add: I wish you could manage my salt for me. I had to give it up because of the lifting into the barrel part!

[Siwsan]

4. The whole thing just made no sense

A local area code number connecting to a whole different part of the country - no message left - number showing up on the call log but not on my phone's caller ID. And the fact that I've already told them I do NOT need for them to conduct any sort of assessment on me or my home. Some people might take comfort in that. I'm not one of them. To me it's just intrusive and way too 'Big Brother' for my taste.

And then reading the complaints about them pressuring people - making it sound like it's some sort of mandatory thing. I specifically asked them if it was, the first time they called. I was assured it wasn't and that if I changed my mind, I could call them.

Oh well. I'll see if they call again and if they do - I'll grit my teeth and ONCE AGAIN decline.

[marybourg]

5. After my DH died, my medicare supplement

company wrote to my doc telling him to conduct a depression assessment on me.

[Siwsan]

6. I used to work for a local health care plan that was gobbled up by a plan out of Detroit

I never heard of any of this kind of thing happening.

The advantage plan I have, now, is through that Detroit based company. I thought it would be convenient since they maintained the Flint building and some of the staff, most of whom I know, and it was right up the road. Then Covid hit and the local employees all work from home. Otherwise I'd be up there to find out, face to face, WTF is going on. I really prefer dealing with stuff like this face to face, rather than over the phone.

Every time I drive by the building I check to see if the staff is back. Now I'm thinking they never will be.

[catrose]

7. My Advantage plan keeps trying to send someone to my house.

They keep referencing Aetna, though they’re clearly not from Aetna. Like you, I’ve said I don’t want the service, especially during a pandemic.

[Siwsan]

8. If I get to the point where I can't take care of myself, I'll take up skydiving

I've got acrophobia so I'd probably die of fright.

After having to take care of so many declining family members, I have NO desire to put anyone else in that position, taking care of me.