UnitedHealthBenefits Health Insurance company will not answer calls or provide me with policy number but took my 289.00 Internet Only Florida
I applied 4/10/07 for short term coverage on line. Tom from UnitedHealthBenefits called back and convinced me they had the perfect plan for 169.00 and a processing fee of 120.00 non refundable.
My coverage was to start 5/1/07. I called the number I was given 866-866-0512 and was told a policy wasn't to be mailed until the end of the month so I wouldn't use it before 5/1.
I have called the stated number several times and was given a "customer service" number which does not after 3 days of calling I find does not cover my state. They even had me leave a voice mail with a "manager" to call me back which of course they did not.
I called the telephone number on my billing statement which is only a collection company for United Health Benefits and that person said they get complaints all the time that this company doesn't call back.
Needless to say-I am looking for another insurance company. I have physical problems so it is difficult to find reasonable insurance and I am out 300.00. This is a short term coverage because I am on disability and just need coverage until November 1, 2007.
Patricia
Cleveland, Tennessee
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Paul
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Discount Medical Plan IS NOT Health Insurance
#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, July 19, 2007
Patricia,
I'm sorry to hear about your experience, I wish I had responded to your report sooner. Fortunately, according to your report, you caught on quickly and only lost $300.
Unfortunately many others don't, until after an emergency and tens of thousand of dollars of medical bills later.
What you had purchased was NOT health insurance it was a discount medical plan, AKA discount card or discount health plan. Simply put, health insurance plans are designed to pay for medical costs of covered illnesses and injuries. Discount medical plans are designed to lower costs of services but you pay the medical bills yourself. United Health Benefits is NOT an Insurance company.
There are many legit discounts plans out there, but they are usually associated with large insurance companies or the government agencies and they usual provide discounts for prescriptions, dental and vision care. However there are growing number of shady organizations that provide discount medical plans that use deceptive and fraudulent practices to lure in unwary customers. They advertise themselves if they're selling insurance. They ussally make exaggerate claims of savings and benefits, include a large network of physicians. And unlike insurance companies they often charge un-refundable processing fees.
Hopefully you found some affordable health insurance coverage? If not, I would highly suggest contacting a licensed health insurance agent or broker in your area, preferable someone that represents many health insurance companies and some one that is recomended.
By the way, the website you have for United Health Benefits is NOT correct. UnitedHealthCare.com belongs to United Health Care, a real health insurance company.
United Health Benefits website is Uhbbenefits.com it has the same toll free number you provided on your report, 866-866-0512. Another website UnitedHealthBenefit.com that claims to be United Health Benefits as well, maybe afiliated. But neither site provides any contact information to determine if they are not related (a red flag of their legitimacy).
To get more information about Discount plans, I recommend the following links:
National Associate of Health Underwriters (PDF file):
www.nahu.org/legislative/sham/discount%20card%20consumer%20warning.pdf
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud:
http://www.insurancefraud.org/discount_health_plans.htm