The week of Blue Cross and "but sir, the computer says..."

Yet another two Blue Cross apps. I'm in Blue Cross hell this week - all older smokers but a client is a client. I have 6 appointments set up by Wednesday so all's well. Ok, long message below but I have to vent.

And as I posted before I had to clear up a MD tax debt from back in the day - over 7 years old because my license renewal is flagged. Ok, no problem - I got the amount, got a cashiers check and headed down to the state building. When I was on the phone with them I was adamant that this was all I needed so I could proceed with my renewal. The guy said yes.

So of course I'm across the desk, she fires up the computer, I hand the check over and she says "what's this?" I knew I was screwed.....now what. She said that amount was for the taxes but didn't include not filing state returns for '93 and '94. Umm....that would be because I wasn't in MD then. I was in Las Vegas. She said the computer had me flagged since I filed in '92 and in '95 but not the years in between and also showed no other state return filed for those years. That would be because there's no state tax in Nevada - I just filed federal.

Now I've got them jammed up and since "the computer says" there's a flag then there's a flag. Now they want my federal returns from those years, W2 AND copy of my NV driver license as proof I was in Vegas. I just wanted that flag lifted. In comes the supervisor who basically took me at my word, lifted the tax flag BUT said I have 30 days to prove I lived in Vegas.

I got a bit indignant. Why should I prove I didn't live in MD? Does everyone who doesn't live in MD therefore doesn't file a MD return get flagged? Everyone who moves gets flagged? The best the supervisor could come up with was the computer program simply found it odd that I filed up to '93, no return in '93-'94, then returns in MD since '94 - but that's not my problem and this is "guilty until proven innocent." Did they have MD W2's showing I lived/worked in MD those years? No. Did I get any type of letter from MD stating I was flagged? No. All I got was a letter from the DOI stating I needed to take care of the taxes.

So basically this is overly-agressive computer system. Sometimes you have to very politely stand your ground. In a normal flag situation they have proof you didn't file properly. In this situation they didn't have squat - nothing showing I should have filed in those years. So....while being polite and not blaming the supervisor my recommendation was she erase the flag or I just plead my case in court - just over the principle of it. I think it helped that the supervisor saw my point of view and admitted that in all flag cases they have proof there is money or a return owed.

Remember - it's not I could just leave. She only lifted the tax flag with my payment, but not the other flag for not filing which would have still held up my renewal. I needed both flags lifted. I have no earthly clue how long it would take me to get copies of my federal return, W2 and copy of my license.

So out of the room she goes. Five minutes later she's back with another supervisor. I politely asked him if they had any type of proof that I lived and worked in MD during those years and should have filed a return. He admitted they had none and deleted the flag. Case closed.

Sales training basically got that flag lifted. Before the sales field I would have been rude, indignant and demanding. These are state workers approaching lunch time and you never want to mess with anyone working for state and lunch hour. Any hint of nastiness on my part would have resulted in "have a nice day - get out" but any hint of weakness would have resulted in the same. Very tough balancing act.