Healthcare Advantage (Agent John Barry) Possible identity theft and/or rip-off through Internet and telemarketing of healthcare plan. Plantation Florida
I filled out an Internet request for health insurance information. I received a telemarketing call from a man who identified himself as John Barry, an agent of Healthcare Advantage. When asked, he said he was calling from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and gave his phone number 1-866-310-4422.
Barry told me that Healthcare Advantage is in the "same network" as Blue Cross insurance and would be accepted in the event of an injury by any hospital that accepts Blue Cross. That was the representation which hooked me, more so than the medical, dental, optical, prescription, and other features, supposedly including a $25,000 accidental death insurance policy.
Barry said that, upon my request, Healthcare Advantage would be able to get a professional like my longtime dentist to accept their copay plan. Not true. I cancelled the telemarketing contract the same day. The personal information in the "application" could lead to identity theft. I was a fool.
Paul
Abilene, Texas
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Paul
Abilene,Texas,
U.S.A.
I have had subsequent contacts with Healthcare Advantage.
#2Author of original report
Fri, September 10, 2004
I called their home office and eventually spoke to Richard Moore. I was trying to find out if John Barry is a real Healthcare Advantage agent. I learned that the agents work from their homes. There was some dificulty in finally determining that Barry is indeed one.
I cancelled within 3 federal business days by telephone and by fax. I was mailed a packet of Healthcare Advantage literature regardless. I returned it to sender unopened.
Barry urged me to use the "confirmation number" with a healthcare professional even before receiving the literature. That would have voided the 30 day trial period and given up the $100 "application fee".
Moore told me that I am entitled to a full refund. But I had already stopped payment at my bank.
Moore asked if Barry had represented the healthcare plan to be insurance. He knew that, in my case, it would then be under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Insurance rather than the Attorney General of Texas.
The Healthcare Advantage plan must be marketed as a PPO. It was to me, but the distinction was blurred during telemarketing. (I doubt that their agents are licensed to sell insurance.)
I told Moore that the accidental death clause was represented as insurance. In fact, during the telemarketing call it was called "life insurance" more than once, and a named beneficiary was required.
Moore said there has never been a case of identity theft by a Healthcare Advantage employee. What else would he have said when I expressed that concern?