Assurant Health Misleading - They are crooks! El Paso Texas
I took out a short-term policy with Assurant because they had (on their website) great mental health coverage, that included Attention Deficit Disorder, which I thought that I had. I went to a psychiatrist to have an ADD screening. As soon as I start receiving care and medication for it, they changed their tune on everything.
My doctor had been trying to receive payment for my initial visit for 3 months, they said they wouldn't pay it because they believed it was a pre-existing condition, and they told my doctor that. When I called, they said that nothing to that effect was written in my file, and there were no notes that said anything about that.
So I went to my doctor and I paid her out of pocket (and had been paying for all of my prescriptions out of pocket as well) and I had never received a single benefit...EVER. I called again and I was assured that everything was fine and that they should file the claim again. It went back and forth for a couple of weeks.
They still denied the claim. When I called, they told me that "they don't recognize ADD as a condition in adults" and that it was stated in my policy packet. With short term policies, they never even send you a paper packet in the mail. It's all on their website and you access it with your policy number. It's not secure, there isn't even a password to protect your policy information. There is no way for you to really know if you're looking at the same information that you were looking at when you originally took out the policy, so it's easy for them to change it and back it up. Call me paranoid, but it's a bit unsettling.
They also told me that if I had symptoms of ADD in the past, even if I wasn't diagnosed with it, that it would be viewed as pre-existing and it would not be covered.
I canceled my policy with them, but they made sure to take out their next payment before they canceled it, even though I asked them to cancel it before the date that they deducted it from my bank account.
I would be very cautious if you ever decide to take out a policy with them. Actually, I just wouldn't take one out. :)
Amanda
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Reluctantinsuranceguy
Fayetteville,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Pre-existing conditions clause!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, June 07, 2009
Insurance contracts include pre-existing conditions clause. For the most part it means that no treatment will be covered or paid for conditions that were diagnosed, treated, had symptoms for or were advised to seek treatment for within a certain time frame (i.e.) 6 months prior to application, before the application or effective date of the policy. treatment for pre-existing conditions may only be covered after 12 months of the effective date of the policy or may never be covered.
Each insurance company is different and defines a pre-existing condition differently.
Every state ( states mostly govern the rules for individual medical and health insurance) has different laws and definitions as well. You can check with your state department of insurance for specifics.
Insuranceology
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
correct me if im wrong
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, November 12, 2008
So i notice that at the start of your little rendition here that you considered Assurant health Short Term policy becuase it had "Great mental health benefits"
So then you decide out of nowhere to go get a ADD test screening and low and behold that you have ADD
what it seriuosly sounds like is that you visited your doctor he reccomended a ADD test screening told you the priced you didnt have insurance at the time and decided to get something short term to pay for said ADD test screening and get your meds covered.. Nice try but insurance companies are not gong to cover things like that. Yes Im sure you were told that it was on the website. But im looking through Assurants website right now and no where here am I seeing where it says "Need Mental Health Test's?? Purchase This Policy and We Will pay for it Then you can Cancel the Plan"
you see people have the wrong idea about insurance you dont get insurance to pay for the small stuff. it for Accident injuries and critical illness's. Imagine how much auto insurance would be if we could take our autop insurance car to the local mechanic and get a free oil change.....