Complaint Review: NCE Unified Health One

I was shopping insurance plans in January and was contacted by a sales person pitching NCE Unified Health.  I wish I had seen the posts here prior to signing up.  This plan is nothing but a SCAM!!! The rates all seemed to be very good, unlimited doctor visits for $50/visit, full diagnostic coverage, blood and lab work, etc. No deductibles and first dollar coverage.  I asked what the co-pays were and was given a long winded answer that made it sound like this was an 80/20 plan.  Coverage for myself and 2 dependents would be $430/mo with an enrollment fee of $99.  What a terrific rate!   They were able to offer this great rate because there was an open enrollment going on with NCE (National Congress of Employers).  Additionally, for an additional $29.95/mo I could get a "prescription rider" that would cover up to 80% off on name brand drugs and generics for $5-$10.

I asked about pre-existing conditions and told this was not an issue.  I would be covered.  I asked specifically if this was a discount plan and was told it was not.  I was told I would need to answer several questions in order to accept their coverage that would be recorded (for my protection) and when asked if I understood this to be a limited (discount) plan that they were only referring to the prescription coverage.  I also had 10 days to cancel with a full refund.

I signed up for coverage on Jan 17 and received a welcoming e-mail along with my member ID information and a sample schedule of benefits.  After reading through the coverages it became clear that this was actually a discount plan.  It actually says in the welcoming e-mail "that the insurance is not basic health insurance or major medical coverage, and is not designated as a substitute for basic health
insurance or major medical coverage."  Doctor visits limited to 5 visits and the plan will only pay $50/visit.  Limits of $50 per day on pathology and radiology with only 2 days covered per year.  Surgery and hospital benefits limited as well.  The prescription rider turned out to be nothing more than a discount card similar to what you can get for $20 at Walgreens and didn't even provide a substantial discount on my medications.  I called Unified Health on Jan 24 and told them I wished to cancel in accordance with the cancellation provisions.  I was transferred to Daniel Gootner who is the agent at this office and told him I wished to cancel.  He said that would not be a problem, that I could expect a confirmation e-mail and I could expect a refund in 7-14 days.  I called them again on Feb 8 after not hearing anything.  I spoke to a person named Earl who said I need to complete a Termination Request Form and e-mail or fax it back to them.  This was sent back on Feb 8 but as of today, Feb 21, I have not received a confirmation or refund to my credit card.

Today I reported this to my credit card provider and asked them to pursue recovery.  I also had to cancel my card so that it could not be charged again by Unified Health.  I can't believe that this group is able to continue to operate.  They do not provide truthful information and actually mislead you to believe they are selling something they really are not.  I hope this posting may help others to not fall for this same SCAM.