Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

I don't know if I can do it

English answer:

I am not authorised

Added to glossary by Veronica Prpic Uhing
Dec 28, 2004 21:53
19 yrs ago
English term

I don't know if I can do it

English Social Sciences Psychology
Mr. Ex and Mrs. Ex in action:

Please help to rephrase:

So, you need to inform your health insurance company (I don't know if I can do it since this is your insurance), that they are not primary health insurance for (child's name), but secondary.

Since the reply was this:

You have no business informing my insurance company of anything. This applies as well to anything else that is in my name. The appropriate actions will be taken if you interfere in my personal affairs.

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com (asker) Dec 29, 2004:
The point is that Court of divorce decides which parent provides primary and which secondary health insurance, as by regulations one can not have two primary health care insurances. Well, this was not done, so the "conversation" started when the child was admitted into the Hospital, where officials discovered that both insurances are primary and hence against the regulations. Hospital officials took insurance of parent(custodial one) who brought the child to the hospital as primary and asked the party to inform the second parent (non-custodial) to change its policy as secondary to insure proper billing.

I analysed the whole message, and besides list of facts this was the only personal part and hence asked the forum for words, words to avoid vehement reply as the issue is not settled yet.

I thank you all so much for help.

Responses

+8
6 mins
Selected

I don't know if I am authorised, or if I have the authority

to contact your insurance company, since it is in your name.

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Note added at 7 mins (2004-12-28 22:01:14 GMT)
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the reply says that the writer is in fact NOT authorised to contact the insurance company.

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Note added at 20 mins (2004-12-28 22:14:57 GMT)
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the reply says that the writer is in fact NOT authorised to contact the insurance company.
Peer comment(s):

agree Ltemes : good answer, considering it's not too clear what the asker needs here.
2 mins
agree Marian Greenfield : if I have the authority
2 mins
agree Balaban Cerit : yes, maybe the first party is making some kind of threat by commenting about "giving information to the insurance company". That is one possibility why the second party is so vehement in his/her reply. Being "authorised" fits well in this case too.
23 mins
agree senin
43 mins
agree Madeleine MacRae Klintebo
1 hr
agree Asghar Bhatti
1 hr
agree Kardi Kho
2 hrs
agree Charlie Bavington : depends what the asker wants (see my answer), but I've pinched your idea of "authority" so I'm going to agree with you as well :-) !!
3 hrs
aha - well done Charlie! you could well be right... so I'll agree with you too!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I am tempted to use all of the marvelous answers, but at this time I decided to use NancyLynn’s explanations of the reply. However, the versions from Mr.Bavington and Mr. Phillips shall accompany the letter with the hospital bill, which is yet to come. Thank you all so much for your kind attention to the matter. "
+2
3 hrs

tricky one

I have the impression here that the Asker is perhaps wishing to re-phrase the text in order to avoid a similar reaction next time they have to send a similar letter. In which case, I suggest quite simply:

I cannot do it on your behalf, since it is your insurance
or
I do not have authority to do so on your behalf, since...etc.
Peer comment(s):

agree NancyLynn : the whole context will tell :-)
2 mins
agree Refugio
2 hrs
Something went wrong...
12 hrs

I understand you don't want me to be involved in your personal affairs, but it would be in your best

I understand you don't want me to be involved in your personal affairs, but it would be in your best interests to inform ...
Question: Is this a script for a film, or e/TV show?
Something went wrong...
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