Sotheby's

Western & Southern responded to its former employee and current retiree Mr. [redacted]’s inquiries and requests. As for Mr. [redacted]’s request to remove [redacted] from the handling of his current and future claims under the Western & Southern Financial Group Retiree Health Plan, we communicated to him that Ms. [redacted], under the circumstances, will continue to be his main contact regarding his claims. As for his request for timely service, it is our mission to service the needs of all participants, including Mr. [redacted], in a positive manner in accordance with the provisions of the Western & Southern Financial Group Retiree Health Plan. We have and will always treat Mr. [redacted] fairly and with respect.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. SEE THE ATTACHMENT FROM 12132016 ASKING FOR WS CLARIFICATION 
Regards,
[redacted]

We regret that Mr. [redacted] has not accepted our response. We would like to reiterate that we have replied to all his inquiries and will continue to do so in the future.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.Western Southern Financial Group senior vice president [redacted] is personally handling my health insurance claims and inquiries, contrary to how other members are handled.  She has mishandled private medical information that delayed a test ordered by my surgeon.  She has not safe guarded my private medical file as required by federal law.  For 57 days she refused to answer questions from the company's health insurance manual that direct members to send to her.  When she finally referred the questions to another individual that person's response omitted pertinent documents.  It has now been 60+ days without a complete answer.Rather than providing a complete answer, [redacted] decided to personally attack me.I feel the Revdex.com should make public how Western Southern Financial Group mistreats senior citizens who previously worked for them for 35 years.Western Southern Financial Group should always promptly and completely answer questions from their customers.
Regards,
[redacted]

As Western Southern and [redacted] know I had surgery on my right hand and I write with my right hand.Even with considerable discomfort I will sign the HIPPA release with the exception of allowing Revdex.com to re-disclose this information to any specific party to whom I have not given a direct release.  Private medical information is not for general public review. Further, I will mail the release form to you as I do not have access to a fax machine

The Western & Southern health plans are designed to provide choice to our members in the benefits they receive so that they can maximize the value of their benefits by tailoring them to their specific situation. Our retiree medical plan is a low deductible, comprehensive plan that is highly subsidized by the Company, and which offers a unique solution for retiree health care. Western & Southern self– administers its health plans, and has as its mission to both manage and adjudicate heath claims in accordance with plan provisions, to service the needs of our members in a positive manner, and to protect the health information of our members. We will always treat our members with dignity and respect.With regard to Mr. [redacted]’s Revdex.com complaint, please be advised that his complaint involves two different matters. The first matter involves a pre­determination of a procedure that Mr. [redacted] was to have performed on August 26, 2016. On August 24, 2016, his physician’s office sent a pre­determination request to the Western & Southern Benefits Department. On that same day, the Benefits Department approved the procedure and then immediately notified both Mr. [redacted] and his physician’s office of the approval. In fact, the physician’s office complimented the Benefits Department for the quick response. Clearly the process worked to Mr. [redacted]’s benefit.The second matter involves another surgery pre­determination request for Mr. [redacted]. On October 12, 2016, Mr. [redacted]’s physician’s office called the Western & Southern Benefits Department to check on the status of a pre­determination request. Because the Benefits Department had not received any notification of an upcoming surgery involving Mr. [redacted], Benefits Department personnel requested clinical records to complete the pre­determination process. On October 12, Mr. [redacted] was notified that clinical records were requested to review to make a pre­determination involving the upcoming surgery. On October 13, the requested information was received and reviewed and the surgery request was approved that day. However, Mr. [redacted] is questioning a fax sent by his physician’s office dated September 22, 2016.As explained to Mr. [redacted], the Benefits Department received the fax on October 12, 2016 on its secure fax machine. On October 13, 2016, as noted above, the fax and information contained in the transmittal was reviewed and the surgery request approved. We suggested to Mr. [redacted] that if he had any concerns involving the fax he should contact his physician’s office.Both of Mr. [redacted]’s predetermination requests were processed in a timely, confidential, and respectful manner.

Sotheby's has resolved this matter directly with the Complainant. Upon her return of the property to Sotheby's, we will refund her purchase price in full. She has also agreed that upon receipt of payment, she will withdraw her complaint with your office

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
Regards,
[redacted]I understand it could take up to 30 days for the business to reply.I wanted to send this message through your website but I did not see if that was possible.Reviewing the status on your webpage I see that WSFG responded from their Public Relations Dept., possibly on behalf of the Benefits Dept. and/or [redacted].As such I’m not sure if this is their only reply or if additional information is forthcoming.Regarding the release form to provide you with a full reply PLUS COPIES OF MY PRIVATE MEDICAL INFORMATION, I would prefer that WS Benefits answer the remaining questions, BUT PROVIDE ME WITH COPIES OF MY MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION  WHICH UNDER HIPAA IS TO BE SAFEGUARDED AND KEPT IN A PRIVATE FOLDER.  I would be glad to follow up with you after WS Benefit’s replies and let you know if their provided that information as required under federal law.It is currently 60+ days since my initial request to Western Southern Financial Group and in my quest for a reply I have contacted CEO [redacted], General Counsel [redacted], Counsel [redacted], SVP [redacted] and VP [redacted].[redacted]

As a Western & Southern retiree, Mr. [redacted] is eligible for health coverage under the Western & Southern Financial Group Retiree Health Plan. As such, like other participants, he receives eligible benefits pursuant to the terms of the plan, which provides for dispute resolution if a...

participant is not satisfied with a claims determination. As head of the Benefits Department, [redacted] is responsible for all communications with plan participants and has decided to be the main contact with Mr. [redacted] regarding his claims concerns.  Because the health information of all of our members is protected, in order for us to address Mr. [redacted]’s allegations in more detail, we will need an authorization from him allowing us to disclose to the Revdex.com protected health information associated with his complaint.  It is our mission to service the needs of all participants, including Mr. [redacted], in a positive manner in accordance with the provisions of the Western & Southern Financial Group Retiree Health Plan. We have and will always treat Mr. [redacted] fairly and with respect.

Review: We bought a painting by Cuban Artist Rafael Soriano at an auction at Sotheby’s on May **, 2014. The painting did not come with a Certificate of Authenticity, therefore we contacted the Rafael Soriano Foundation to obtain authenticity. They are the only people who are able to provide an authenticity document for the painting. They sent a letter to me saying that they do not recognize the specific painting and that they have in the past been contacted regarding this exact work of art. I can attached copies of those emails that they were so kind in sharing with me. Upon receiving this email, I immediately called Sotheby’s to discuss the situation. They took my messages and promised a return follow up phone call, but we received no such thing. On October **, 2014, we emailed [redacted], requesting a full refund and explaining the situation regarding the foundation. The only response we received was an acknowledgement of receiving the email. On Oct **, 2014 we emailed him again and did not receive a response. On November *, 2014 we emailed [redacted] of America, explaining everything and later that same day we received a phone call from [redacted] saying that they would give us a full refund. On Nov **, 2014 he emailed us saying that the refund would be credited to our Sotheby’s account in case we would like to purchase any additional pieces in an upcoming auction and also said if we do not purchase a piece in that auction that he would send us a check for the complete amount. We did not purchase any pieces and neither received the check. On Dec *, 2014 we emailed [redacted] and we received a response that the administrative process to release a check was being almost completed. We again reached out on Jan **, 2014 after not receiving any such check and still have not received either a response or money. It has been 4 months of back and forth regarding this painting that we have purchased almost a year ago and Sotheby’s lack of ethics is clearly disrespectful.

Thank you for your time and I do hope you can help in anyway possible.

I can attach all of the emails that has been send and received.Desired Settlement: The Refund total amount of $11845.00 that includes purchased price plus shipping and framing expenses.

Business

Response:

Sotheby's has resolved this matter directly with the Complainant. Upon her return of the property to Sotheby's, we will refund her purchase price in full. She has also agreed that upon receipt of payment, she will withdraw her complaint with your office

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

Good afternoon [redacted],Thank you for taking my call I appreciate your prompt respond,Today the shipping company would come to pick up the art work and I have to wait until they refund me, as soon as I received my refund then everything would be as agreed and the case can be closed, I will appreciate the case to remain open till everything it's settled.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,