A
Norfolk,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, October 15, 2006
I am an IBO (Independent Business Owner) and have been for a year and a half. Never and I mean NEVER have I offered the Ameriplan Benefits as insurance. Never was I taught to do this by any upline, coaches or business partners. I always make sure that my prospective member knows exactly what the benefits will do for them or what an IBO needs to do to build and run a business honestly. Some folks just want insurance and feel that is better for them. BUT... there are 40 million people out there that cannot get insurance or afford insurance but can afford something. This is a great alternative to those folks who are going to have to pay cash for anything they need. For instance, I and my Mother cannot get insurance because of pre-existing conditions. My Mother hasn't any kind of coverage. Medicaide and Medicare keep running her around and in the mean time... she needs medical attention. We just relocated and she needed a doctor. Because I am an IBO with Ameriplan and she lives with me, she is on my account. Her first visit to the new doctor ran $445.00. We paid: $215.00. and she needed hip x-rays... $120 for each side = $240.00. We paid $160.00. Do the math! We saved $310.00. Minus the IBO Medical membership fee = a $260.05 savings and the card paid for itself. I'd say that is a pretty good hunk. And since Mom needs more medical attention, there will be more savings. We will not have to pay full price EVER with Ameriplan. And... the conceirge service did the work for us. They found our doctor according to our specifications. All we had to do was show up. Same with the x-rays... we just had to show up. Ameriplan has been in business for 14 (going on 15) years and has many people happily working from home and millions using the benefits. I find that the complaints made here are mostly bogus, and uninformed and fueled by some folks who do not understand what owning a business is or were misinformed about how the benefits worked. If you opened a Starbucks coffee shop and did not show up to sell the coffee... what success would you have? And when it failed, would you accuse the coffee suppliers of lying about the quality of the coffee and causing your business to fail? And if you asked Starbucks to give you back your money because you did not work your business... do you think they would? I think not! Ameriplan has been victimized by people who would run a business in just that way. Never show up and expect it to work itself and somehow make money. Most of these folks here don't want to work. They want a hand out. Some of these folk may have been misled and I extend an apology on behalf of all IBO's who have grabbed on to this great opportunity with honesty and itegrity and are making it work. We do not have to deceive. You cannot build a long lasting, successful business with a 6 figure residual by building on deception. Certainly there will be those that feel deception will build income faster and I guess it does. But it will fall apart much faster if done for greed and not for the great product it is and the relief that it brings to many people in a world where medical expenses are sky rocketing and insurance coverage is minimal and prices are high. To Sue: I am sure that some IBO's are doing what you proclaim and they are building on lies and it will come around and bite them. These folks have their own ideas and are not following what is being taught. It is not Ameriplan doing this. It is the Independent Business Owner. We are responsible for how we run our businesses. If I owned a Starbucks Franchise and I sold a caffinated cup of coffee to someone who wanted de-caf knowingly and that person had some sort of reaction to it... would Starbucks be to blame or would it be me? Just the same... I would not sell a benefits plan under the guise of insurance because of the reaction that is sure to come and most IBO's wouldn't do it either. We are hard working people and we do it from the comfort of our own homes and we have a very legitamite product that many in this country need. We have integrity and honesty and are building businesses that will carry us through all our lives and our families lives. If you were unlucky enough to get associated with someone out to make a quick buck, then I feel sorry for you. But you cannot accuse a company like Ameriplan for being deceptive any more than you can accuse Starbucks for being deceptive when those that have a "franchise" don't run it correctly and give false claims about the product in order to make a buck. Let's be fair. I entered into a contract with Ameriplan to own my own business and be able to market their benefits package and be paid for it over and over again as long as what I write stays on the books. My business is my responsibility not Ameriplans. Now if I deceive people in order to write business, how long do you think they would stay on my books or as my business partners? It's total foolishness to think that dishonesty and laziness in business will create a successful, long lasting business. Lets be real here. Ameriplan is a reputable company. It offers a great benefits package designed to help those who cannot afford insurance or cannot get insurance. Ameriplan actually founded the Health Benefits Industry and no other discount benefits company offers the savings that Ameriplan does. If you find one that does... let me know. Ameriplan offers a great home business opportunity for those who aren't afraid of working and staying the course. And also I want to ask you this... What business can you begin for 50 bucks and carry a minimum over head of 50 bucks a month and never have to carry inventory? All you have to do it talk to people, be honest, persistant, diligent and it comes. You have to be coachable, trainable and willing to ask what to do next and follow the instruction. You will be successful if you want to work. Most of these complaints are from folks who don't want to work, don't have a clue on how to run their own business and don't even want to learn how but want to blame someone else for their failures and expect to be compensated for it. An Ameriplan IBO will get what they put into it. And "What you sow, so shall you reap". Ameriplan hasn't failed people, people have failed Ameriplan.
Micah
Costa Mesa,#3Consumer Comment
Sat, October 14, 2006
It's funny how this issue of Ameriplans customer service can have such polarizing perspectives. I've used the dental, vision and prescription portion of the benefits and saved over $2500 with the plan. So I know that there is a larger picture here. Its almost unbelievable how a super huge insurance company could charge over $800 a month for the average health insurance plan and then they get away with retroactively dropping policy holders and refusing them coverage on certain health conditions and types of care. And this last period, insurance companies are going to post record profits by putting on a facade of prestige that Americans percieve as honest and real. They are overcharging (ripping people off) for health care they don't even need, because we all know that's the only people insurance companies will insure... people without health problems. They have contracts and rediculous limitations and have completely scammed the entire country and here comes a small organization thats grown huge based on a customer retention of a very low cost benefits package. There is no way Ameriplan would survive unless people kept the product and paid month after month... without a contract. Look at the big picture... a company that simply stayed consistent with everything it has put into writing with the exeption of one possible misunderstanding with a rep named Josh which was most definitely not intentional since he most surely is not getting a commission on answering a couple of questions. If i was going to complain about any companies ripping people off, I would waste that time complaining about companies like the cell phone, gasoline, banking and publically owned ones. The kind that have to lie to their investers. Ameriplan would have in fact refunded the whole $89 if it had of been cancelled immediately... after a few days its more like they are going to be strict and not refund the reg. fee... like they have always put into writing. Theres so many other things I could point out that make these complaints rediculous... but the main one I want to get to is the idea that just because a person or company claims christianity, they are honest... that is the biggest line of #$@% anyone has ever heard or said. GOD IS POWER! I know that the company has christain over tones but they dont show trough the company itself, but rather through many of the business owners... which I have to admit I don't like at all since i am agnostic... but I am an IBO with Ameriplan because they dont use religion as a part of their marketing, although any one particular IBO might. If you ask me, for the most part, religion and belief without questioning is our downfall... and so it was for this complaining customer who didn't question... and simply believed everything that particular IBO told her. On the other hand.... had she researched on her own for even 5-10 more minutes to ask the questions in her head without fear... just like with religion... she would have avoided the whole problem before ever signing up... although the plan does offer a great alternative to insurance it may not be for everyone... Ameriplan doesn't have a provider in every single area... although they do in most... and that's why they have a provider search database that is very accurate right on the website... and a toll free customer service number where you can reach a live rep from 9am to 9 pm M-F and most of sat. They can look up providers for you... never a long hold... i mean it's incredible how naaive a customer can seem when making this kind of complaint over a $30 non refundable one time registration fee. Anyways best of luck.
Sue
USA,#4Consumer Suggestion
Sat, October 14, 2006
You have seen COUNTLESS complaints about this company, all the same complaints. I cannot believe that these salespeople continue to defend this company. I hope they never have to see the lives they have devastated by selling plans like this and I do not care what excuses they come up, MANY salespeople sell these plans as insurance. I find it hard to believe that all those salespeople come up with that on thier own. That's how this company trains people. FIRST place you want to file a complaint about this company is your Attorney General's Office! Second place is The United States Justice Dept. Then you can call all the rest. You can notify your state Dept. of insurance but as this company sells discount plans and not insurance they most likely will not be able to help you accept they will go after the company is they say they areselling insurance and not discount plans. GET names and numbers of every single person you speak with in regards to this company. Just tell them you want the plan but need to CALL THEM BACK before you give them your info. They'll give you the number then and you report that person at that number! They do not give you their number HANG UP on them! Either way do to them what they are trying to do to you first! Let them deal with the attorney general and the feds first. Also tell everyone you know about this plan and how you were ripped off. Write to the editor of your newspaper, local news stations, CNN, FOX, local tv stations. Tell them your experience with this company and tell them there are numerous complaints on this board, with the BBB, with consumer affairs as that is the truth. They will love a great consumer report like that! That's how you stop a company like this from ripping people off! There's a lot more of us then them so we can shut this rip ff company down and prevent them from harming other people!
Diane
Nicholson,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, October 05, 2006
Regarding Ameriplan Health Discounts I would like to say that before joining or becoming a broker it would be wise to make sure that there is a good provider base in your area. I just signed up but before I did I checked personally with 1 dentist, 3 Vision Care providers, and 1 Chiropractor from my immediate area. All verified that it is a legitimate company and that the discounts are good. Some give a straight 30% off your bill (That was Lanscrafter's response). Another example is Sears Optical. One example is that they will give you frames that range from $81.00 to $100.00 at a cost of $45.00 to you. Do the math...that is a good discount. The dentist's rate fee example was for Regular Teeth Cleaning costs up to $117.00 you pay only $47.00. My dentist charges $90.00 so that would save me $33.00 just on the cleaning. In every case the person I talked to at the providers office verified that the patient does indeed receive a good discount. Do your homework and make sure that there are providers in your area before you sign up.
Carol
Richmond,#6UPDATE Employee
Wed, August 23, 2006
Recently the state of Texas has suspended Ameriplan from the BBB due to allegations against the comapny. The state of Montana has ordered a stop and desist as well. Additional Phone Numbers for Ameriplan (800) 647-8421 I did everything I was instructed to do within the timeline actually 12 days. I was sent a letter to use my cards. I sent the cards unopened IBO kit and letter requesting a refund and request to take no further money from my account. The comapny ignored my refund request and told me to use my cards. The thiry days will be up on August 25,2006. I have sent my fifth request to the company via e-mail and signature priority mail.(Within the 30 days) I am very dis heartened the Corporate Center of the Company has dealt with me in this manner. It is unfortunate. I have been forced I feel to file complaints with local BBB and the States Insurance Regulators. In doing so I found that the comapny does indeed have actions against them in some states. I had hoped it would be different but I am glad I did not solicite the Ameriplan to anyone. I was also told about Life Insurance that I would be awarded and I am fairly certain the legality involved is going to be a challenge for the company.I would like to state for the record the comapny has denied any wrong doing and is innocent until proven guilty. I was hoping to join at a later date but I do not think I will now. I am defenitely leary of the legalities involved as an Independent Business Owner.
A
Norfolk,#7Consumer Comment
Sun, June 11, 2006
I don't know where the Insurance Lady got her information.... but maybe she can answer a question for me. Why has Blue Cross and Blue Shield pulled out of Florida leaving many without any kind of coverage at all? And why is it projected that this is going to happen in many other states? And when you watch the news, why do we hear that the insurance industry is failing in so many ways. Did you not see the feature that Dan Rather did on the state of health care in the United States? And ....as far as I know, Ameriplan USA has never claimed to be an HMO. And also, I did a provider search for Baton Rouge. There are 9 providers in Baton Rouge itself and 66 more in the surrounding areas. That is just the general practitioners. I find it hard to believe that they have all pulled out. (even with insurance you have to find a provider that carries that insurance) There are 36 specialists; 6 Dentists; 45 Rx providers (including Walmart, The Medicine Shop, Win Dixie, CVS, Rite Aide, Walgreens....just to mention a few), at least 22 Vision providers (Walmart, Eye Care, Target, Lens Crafters, Eye Masters, Sears, JC Penny....mentioning just a few again) and even a couple of chiropractors. I am an Ameriplan IBO and I would apologize if the member was treated badly. Your enrolling broker could have been and should have been more help. I personally have called the providers for the information that one of my members needed. Did you try and speak with your enrolling broker? I have never had to lie to anyone about our benefits. I make sure that a potential member knows that these are discount benefits and explain that our card works just like a Sam's club or a Costco card. As a member you are given the deep discounts at our providers. We are to the medical industry as Costco and Sam's club is to the retail industry. Again, the enrolling broker did not do their follow up. We are also notified of a cancellation through the mail, so we can follow-up with our member and find out why. In my experience, I have never had a complaint like this one here. With any program, be it insurance, benefits, etc., there is alway a one-time registration fee. Usually not refundable. And as mentioned before, you are required to return your cards for the full refund. Any refund takes time. And, the member should have been told that the charge to the account comes out right away, usually before the membership cards are received then depending on the actual membership date it may be a month and a half before that member is billed again. My feeling about all of this is "buyers remorse". What I have seen....many times with my cancelled members, is that they did receive what they were promised but cancelled after getting what they needed. The last cancellation notice I received, I called the member to find out why she cancelled and she told me that she had her dentures fixed, saved $280.00 her husband decided to wait on his dental work and did not need the membership anymore because she got what she needed. This was good news along with the bad. Is this honest, dishonest or cheap? Who cares....my member was happy! This is only one instance of this kind of cancellation. She will probably re-instate when she needs something else done and when her husband is ready. She was very happy with me and her savings and knows that if she re-instates within the six months after cancellation she will have me as her enrolling broker. She was very happy about this. This is the way I treat my customers. I run my business with integrity and honesty and I involve myself in the customer service as well. I am sorry Mary? had a bad experience. And the amount of complaints on these boards are minimal to many people who have enjoyed our benefits. The companies that are our providers and have been since the beginning, speak for our credibility. We have had features done about us by Morely Safer on his American Medical Review as well as American Business Review. And we have had features in over 250 newpapers and magazines. We are not a fly by night nor are we a scam. "You can please some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all of the people all of the time". So the story goes..... Ameriplan USA is the founder of the Health Benefits Industry. There are companies out there that are phony and out to take advantage of people, young and old. Ameriplan USA is not one of them. The Independent Business Owners have a responsibility to represent Ameriplan USA with their own integrity. Some of these are bad apples and greedy and dishonest. Trust me.....they will be found out and dealt with. Their bad business practices will be found out in the long run. And if someone in customer service continuously gives bad information, I assure you they will not have their job for long. I also wanted to know if Mary? had tried the prescription benefits for her diabetic medicine. My uncle is diabetic and has other problems and saves $800 a month through the mail order program. For the cost of $59.95 a month...this is not bad! He has been a member for 1 year now and is very happy with what he and his family have saved. Just do the math! My sister (who has dental coverage through the Navy, she does not trust Navy Dentists) is a member. She saved over $400 going to a civilian dentist. She pays $11.95 a month. She has been a member for a year now and still keeps her Dental plan. She doesn't like the frames for glasses that the Navy offers so she uses her card at Pearl Vision for frames and has the Navy do the exam and lens'. Navy doesn't provide chiropractic coverage, so she has the benefits for this. She is happy with her benefits. Even though she has coverage by the Navy. My brother saves $75 a month on his blood pressure medicine. For $11.95 a month.....do the math! I could go on, but I just wanted to let you know that many people close to me and many I don't even know are very happy with these benefits. All in all...... Mary? I am glad your problem has been taken care of.
Paula
Germanton,#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, May 23, 2006
Dwayne, The complaint that I made to the Better Buisness Bureau was about the Ameriplan company and not about individuals that work with the company. The Better Business Bureau contacted Ameriplan and I was sent a check because of the Better Business Bureau had to get after Ameriplan to send my money back. Just to clarify that for you. Sue you are right Ameriplan does not do things honestly.
Dwayne
Wauseon,#9UPDATE Employee
Mon, May 22, 2006
Also if you look at the BBB report on AmeriPlan USA 5700 Democracy Drive Plano,TX. You will see that the company is a member of the BBB and has a satisfactory record with them and is in good standing and has answered all its complaints and all have been resolved. Also I wanted to address the number of complaints a whole 43 or so is not alot of complaints for being in business for 14 years and with almost 2 million customers nationwide. Look at some of these other companies on this report and they have hundreds or thosands of complaints against them were talking major compaines. I know any complaint is not good but you can't always please everyone all the time. I'm sure even your company that you work for has complaints against it and don't tell me that they don't especially if its an insurance company just because its not on here I'll gaurentee it .
Dwayne
Wauseon,#10UPDATE Employee
Mon, May 22, 2006
I am glad you pointed out this about the BBB. These so called offices on there are not our offices. We only have Regional offices for training and these are not it it looks like to me these are idependent business owners that are using the AmeriPlan name and is against our policies and procedures. These BBB compaints are not toward the company AmeriPlan but toward independent business owners. This is why AmeriPlan has strict rules reguarding this. AmeriPlan the company does have a satisfactory record with the BBB and is in good standing. Its bad that we have individual business owners out there that are practicing bad business and its hard for the company to police all of them. There is only one office and that is 5700 democracy drive Plano,TX. I am going to bring this up to my divisional sales maneger about these others on the report. Its bad that this happens because their making AmeriPlan look bad and thats not good and not true because this company is a good company . So the only BBB report you should be looking on AmeriPlan should be for AmeriPlan USA in Plano,TX. Because that is the only real AmeriPlan.
Sue
USA,#11Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 22, 2006
Let's see, Ameriplan in Pueblo, Co is not a BBB member and had a complaint but Ameriplan went out of business so that took care of that. Ameriplan in Jose, Ca. is not a member and is listed as an HMO!, Ameriplan in Pensacola in Florida is not a BBB member and again listed as an HMO and get this! It has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to it's FAILURE to discontinue the use of the BBB trademark when demanded to do so. Dwayne, these 3 are just the first few ones listed out of many on the BBB site which is bbb.org You can check out all the rest of the Ameriplan Companies if you wish to but I'm not wasting my time. Put Ameriplan in search on this website's MAIN page and 3 full pages come up of complaints! 3 PAGES full now what does that say to the consumer? Please don't make me laugh by comparing licensed health insurance companies with a discount health plan company. You have absolutely no clue of the laws and licensing a company must meet to be licensed in any state AND if a licensed insurance company or agent does screw up on a policy or claim you can be sure they are in serious trouble and that a problem will be rectified by the director of insurance immediately in any states and fines, withdrawal of license and prosecution are all remedies that can and will be used against a licensed company. You think I'm biased against discount plans and that I'm acting high and mighty because I am a licensed agent? Check the boards buddy and you will see that I've given state insurance dept. numbers out to people to file a complaint even against licensed companies! So where are you going with that comment! Can a licensed insurance company screw up? Of course they can but as they must answer to the state, the consumer has protection! About your cancellation policy or registration fee deal, we don't do that. A consumer pays for a policy before coverage each month so if they decide to cancel at end of month that's it. Coverage stops and so does a premium and there's no registration fee! NEVER with a real insurance company! I believe you when you say the attorney generals are looking at the discount health plans but it's not for licensing. I KNOW they are looking at them very hard as many websites from the states already have warnings to consumers about them! I know this site is being monitored by the states and the feds consumer protection offices and I don't see how you are doing your company any good by trying to defend them on this site. IF you want to throw around the BBB's name and how much they like the company then why is it the BBB got this consumers money returned in full? 3 pages full of complaints about the SAME company dwayne! Are all these consumers wrong? You want to keep defending the company? Fine, but your company will never see a license after your attorney general sees all these complaints coupled with the BBB and Consumer affairs reports that may exist. Ameriplan in Florida is ripping off the BBB tradesmark? That's a serious charge right there the BBB has on it's own website and it certainly does not add any credability to the company at all. See, most consumers do not check their local BBB office they check the national one so you can see everything at once. That's a good thing as there are so many Ameriplan offices that may or may not still be opened for business and some that may or may not have complaints but it's all the same company. Some clerk in the attorney general's office's can check out all of the offices your company has and they can look at the 3 pages of complaints from consumers just from this website alone! Let me tell you one other thing before I end this and that is your company better sit up straight and really fix this one asap. Ameriplan is listed as an HMO on several Ameriplan offices on the BBB website. Now you know and I know that an HMO is INSURANCE and if you don't think the states these offices are located in will go right after Ameriplan for using the term HMO as their company's description now that they know it, think again. Some do say health discount plans but some say HMO. Right out in public view pretending to be an insurance company and if by your own admission all your company's material clearly states it's NOT insurance...? not good dwayne. Actually it's a good thing you felt the need to respond once again on this site because I'm sure the HMO description may have been overlooked until now and as this site is monitored by various state and federal consumer advocate offices I bet Ameriplan will be answering some hard questions real soon. I bet those state attorney generals you mentioned are going to have MANY questions for Ameriplan also!Now I'm done dwayne with this thread. The consumer got her money back with the help of the BBB not your company and that's what is important. It's entirely up to you if you want to keep defending the company but at this point I really do not see how that would help Ameriplan. Now you want to attack real insurance companies and what they get for a higher premium vs. a discount health plan? Let's say we have a guy insured that has one of MY company's plans with a 2500.00 deductible with 100 percent coverage after the deductible is reached that has a heart attack and now needs a triple bypass because his arteries are clogged which was the cause of the MI. We pay for all the ER care and treatment that saved the guys life, we pay for all the MRI's CT's and ultrasounds the guy will need before surgery, we pay full hospital expenses for 10 days and for the entire surgery and several cardiologists, nursing staff, primary doctor, all the blood and all the meds and all the follow up doctor's visits and treatment this guy is going to need and what's our final bill? Possibly 110,000.00 and that's without major complications only some minor ones. The guy paid about 280.00 a month for 2 years that he had the policy so that's 6720.00. Now add up two years of what the guy would have paid you for a premium and then tell me how much you are going to pay for this guy's illness. Let's see maybe you sold him a 2500.00 critical illness plan and that should cover bypasses so there's 2500.00 he gets. Now let's say you sold him a plan and he gets 1000.00 a day for each day he's in the hospital so that's 10,000. So far you've saved this guy 12,500.00 minus what he paid you in premiums. So the guy only has to come up with 97,500.00 on his own? Maybe you have a better plan than this but is it going to come anywhere close to paying what a good major medical policy will pay? Here's the real kicker! Some salesperson for some health discount company sold this poor guy the product as INSURANCE and now the guy is trying to understand why the hospital and the doctors are telling him that he never had insurance and that he has to pay the bill. IF you think I or any other licensed health agent would EVER consider you or your health discount products as competition, you are dead wrong and we are tired of hearing about how people are getting ripped off by salespeople selling the products as insurance. Are there good honest salespeople out there selling these plans for what they are? Absolutely! But Ameriplan is NOT the only health discount plan listed on this site even though I think it holds the record at 3 pages of complaints so that means there are many salespeople out there misrepresenting these products and they absolutely hurt the products and the good salespeople by doing so! You've made it clear that you are happy with this company and its products unless maybe you haven't read all 3 pages of complaints on just Ameriplan or are all those consumers just wrong also? If there is that many complaints about one company just on one website, something is not right.
Sue
USA,#12Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 22, 2006
Let's see, Ameriplan in Pueblo, Co is not a BBB member and had a complaint but Ameriplan went out of business so that took care of that. Ameriplan in Jose, Ca. is not a member and is listed as an HMO!, Ameriplan in Pensacola in Florida is not a BBB member and again listed as an HMO and get this! It has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to it's FAILURE to discontinue the use of the BBB trademark when demanded to do so. Dwayne, these 3 are just the first few ones listed out of many on the BBB site which is bbb.org You can check out all the rest of the Ameriplan Companies if you wish to but I'm not wasting my time. Put Ameriplan in search on this website's MAIN page and 3 full pages come up of complaints! 3 PAGES full now what does that say to the consumer? Please don't make me laugh by comparing licensed health insurance companies with a discount health plan company. You have absolutely no clue of the laws and licensing a company must meet to be licensed in any state AND if a licensed insurance company or agent does screw up on a policy or claim you can be sure they are in serious trouble and that a problem will be rectified by the director of insurance immediately in any states and fines, withdrawal of license and prosecution are all remedies that can and will be used against a licensed company. You think I'm biased against discount plans and that I'm acting high and mighty because I am a licensed agent? Check the boards buddy and you will see that I've given state insurance dept. numbers out to people to file a complaint even against licensed companies! So where are you going with that comment! Can a licensed insurance company screw up? Of course they can but as they must answer to the state, the consumer has protection! About your cancellation policy or registration fee deal, we don't do that. A consumer pays for a policy before coverage each month so if they decide to cancel at end of month that's it. Coverage stops and so does a premium and there's no registration fee! NEVER with a real insurance company! I believe you when you say the attorney generals are looking at the discount health plans but it's not for licensing. I KNOW they are looking at them very hard as many websites from the states already have warnings to consumers about them! I know this site is being monitored by the states and the feds consumer protection offices and I don't see how you are doing your company any good by trying to defend them on this site. IF you want to throw around the BBB's name and how much they like the company then why is it the BBB got this consumers money returned in full? 3 pages full of complaints about the SAME company dwayne! Are all these consumers wrong? You want to keep defending the company? Fine, but your company will never see a license after your attorney general sees all these complaints coupled with the BBB and Consumer affairs reports that may exist. Ameriplan in Florida is ripping off the BBB tradesmark? That's a serious charge right there the BBB has on it's own website and it certainly does not add any credability to the company at all. See, most consumers do not check their local BBB office they check the national one so you can see everything at once. That's a good thing as there are so many Ameriplan offices that may or may not still be opened for business and some that may or may not have complaints but it's all the same company. Some clerk in the attorney general's office's can check out all of the offices your company has and they can look at the 3 pages of complaints from consumers just from this website alone! Let me tell you one other thing before I end this and that is your company better sit up straight and really fix this one asap. Ameriplan is listed as an HMO on several Ameriplan offices on the BBB website. Now you know and I know that an HMO is INSURANCE and if you don't think the states these offices are located in will go right after Ameriplan for using the term HMO as their company's description now that they know it, think again. Some do say health discount plans but some say HMO. Right out in public view pretending to be an insurance company and if by your own admission all your company's material clearly states it's NOT insurance...? not good dwayne. Actually it's a good thing you felt the need to respond once again on this site because I'm sure the HMO description may have been overlooked until now and as this site is monitored by various state and federal consumer advocate offices I bet Ameriplan will be answering some hard questions real soon. I bet those state attorney generals you mentioned are going to have MANY questions for Ameriplan also!Now I'm done dwayne with this thread. The consumer got her money back with the help of the BBB not your company and that's what is important. It's entirely up to you if you want to keep defending the company but at this point I really do not see how that would help Ameriplan. Now you want to attack real insurance companies and what they get for a higher premium vs. a discount health plan? Let's say we have a guy insured that has one of MY company's plans with a 2500.00 deductible with 100 percent coverage after the deductible is reached that has a heart attack and now needs a triple bypass because his arteries are clogged which was the cause of the MI. We pay for all the ER care and treatment that saved the guys life, we pay for all the MRI's CT's and ultrasounds the guy will need before surgery, we pay full hospital expenses for 10 days and for the entire surgery and several cardiologists, nursing staff, primary doctor, all the blood and all the meds and all the follow up doctor's visits and treatment this guy is going to need and what's our final bill? Possibly 110,000.00 and that's without major complications only some minor ones. The guy paid about 280.00 a month for 2 years that he had the policy so that's 6720.00. Now add up two years of what the guy would have paid you for a premium and then tell me how much you are going to pay for this guy's illness. Let's see maybe you sold him a 2500.00 critical illness plan and that should cover bypasses so there's 2500.00 he gets. Now let's say you sold him a plan and he gets 1000.00 a day for each day he's in the hospital so that's 10,000. So far you've saved this guy 12,500.00 minus what he paid you in premiums. So the guy only has to come up with 97,500.00 on his own? Maybe you have a better plan than this but is it going to come anywhere close to paying what a good major medical policy will pay? Here's the real kicker! Some salesperson for some health discount company sold this poor guy the product as INSURANCE and now the guy is trying to understand why the hospital and the doctors are telling him that he never had insurance and that he has to pay the bill. IF you think I or any other licensed health agent would EVER consider you or your health discount products as competition, you are dead wrong and we are tired of hearing about how people are getting ripped off by salespeople selling the products as insurance. Are there good honest salespeople out there selling these plans for what they are? Absolutely! But Ameriplan is NOT the only health discount plan listed on this site even though I think it holds the record at 3 pages of complaints so that means there are many salespeople out there misrepresenting these products and they absolutely hurt the products and the good salespeople by doing so! You've made it clear that you are happy with this company and its products unless maybe you haven't read all 3 pages of complaints on just Ameriplan or are all those consumers just wrong also? If there is that many complaints about one company just on one website, something is not right.
Sue
USA,#13Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 22, 2006
Let's see, Ameriplan in Pueblo, Co is not a BBB member and had a complaint but Ameriplan went out of business so that took care of that. Ameriplan in Jose, Ca. is not a member and is listed as an HMO!, Ameriplan in Pensacola in Florida is not a BBB member and again listed as an HMO and get this! It has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to it's FAILURE to discontinue the use of the BBB trademark when demanded to do so. Dwayne, these 3 are just the first few ones listed out of many on the BBB site which is bbb.org You can check out all the rest of the Ameriplan Companies if you wish to but I'm not wasting my time. Put Ameriplan in search on this website's MAIN page and 3 full pages come up of complaints! 3 PAGES full now what does that say to the consumer? Please don't make me laugh by comparing licensed health insurance companies with a discount health plan company. You have absolutely no clue of the laws and licensing a company must meet to be licensed in any state AND if a licensed insurance company or agent does screw up on a policy or claim you can be sure they are in serious trouble and that a problem will be rectified by the director of insurance immediately in any states and fines, withdrawal of license and prosecution are all remedies that can and will be used against a licensed company. You think I'm biased against discount plans and that I'm acting high and mighty because I am a licensed agent? Check the boards buddy and you will see that I've given state insurance dept. numbers out to people to file a complaint even against licensed companies! So where are you going with that comment! Can a licensed insurance company screw up? Of course they can but as they must answer to the state, the consumer has protection! About your cancellation policy or registration fee deal, we don't do that. A consumer pays for a policy before coverage each month so if they decide to cancel at end of month that's it. Coverage stops and so does a premium and there's no registration fee! NEVER with a real insurance company! I believe you when you say the attorney generals are looking at the discount health plans but it's not for licensing. I KNOW they are looking at them very hard as many websites from the states already have warnings to consumers about them! I know this site is being monitored by the states and the feds consumer protection offices and I don't see how you are doing your company any good by trying to defend them on this site. IF you want to throw around the BBB's name and how much they like the company then why is it the BBB got this consumers money returned in full? 3 pages full of complaints about the SAME company dwayne! Are all these consumers wrong? You want to keep defending the company? Fine, but your company will never see a license after your attorney general sees all these complaints coupled with the BBB and Consumer affairs reports that may exist. Ameriplan in Florida is ripping off the BBB tradesmark? That's a serious charge right there the BBB has on it's own website and it certainly does not add any credability to the company at all. See, most consumers do not check their local BBB office they check the national one so you can see everything at once. That's a good thing as there are so many Ameriplan offices that may or may not still be opened for business and some that may or may not have complaints but it's all the same company. Some clerk in the attorney general's office's can check out all of the offices your company has and they can look at the 3 pages of complaints from consumers just from this website alone! Let me tell you one other thing before I end this and that is your company better sit up straight and really fix this one asap. Ameriplan is listed as an HMO on several Ameriplan offices on the BBB website. Now you know and I know that an HMO is INSURANCE and if you don't think the states these offices are located in will go right after Ameriplan for using the term HMO as their company's description now that they know it, think again. Some do say health discount plans but some say HMO. Right out in public view pretending to be an insurance company and if by your own admission all your company's material clearly states it's NOT insurance...? not good dwayne. Actually it's a good thing you felt the need to respond once again on this site because I'm sure the HMO description may have been overlooked until now and as this site is monitored by various state and federal consumer advocate offices I bet Ameriplan will be answering some hard questions real soon. I bet those state attorney generals you mentioned are going to have MANY questions for Ameriplan also!Now I'm done dwayne with this thread. The consumer got her money back with the help of the BBB not your company and that's what is important. It's entirely up to you if you want to keep defending the company but at this point I really do not see how that would help Ameriplan. Now you want to attack real insurance companies and what they get for a higher premium vs. a discount health plan? Let's say we have a guy insured that has one of MY company's plans with a 2500.00 deductible with 100 percent coverage after the deductible is reached that has a heart attack and now needs a triple bypass because his arteries are clogged which was the cause of the MI. We pay for all the ER care and treatment that saved the guys life, we pay for all the MRI's CT's and ultrasounds the guy will need before surgery, we pay full hospital expenses for 10 days and for the entire surgery and several cardiologists, nursing staff, primary doctor, all the blood and all the meds and all the follow up doctor's visits and treatment this guy is going to need and what's our final bill? Possibly 110,000.00 and that's without major complications only some minor ones. The guy paid about 280.00 a month for 2 years that he had the policy so that's 6720.00. Now add up two years of what the guy would have paid you for a premium and then tell me how much you are going to pay for this guy's illness. Let's see maybe you sold him a 2500.00 critical illness plan and that should cover bypasses so there's 2500.00 he gets. Now let's say you sold him a plan and he gets 1000.00 a day for each day he's in the hospital so that's 10,000. So far you've saved this guy 12,500.00 minus what he paid you in premiums. So the guy only has to come up with 97,500.00 on his own? Maybe you have a better plan than this but is it going to come anywhere close to paying what a good major medical policy will pay? Here's the real kicker! Some salesperson for some health discount company sold this poor guy the product as INSURANCE and now the guy is trying to understand why the hospital and the doctors are telling him that he never had insurance and that he has to pay the bill. IF you think I or any other licensed health agent would EVER consider you or your health discount products as competition, you are dead wrong and we are tired of hearing about how people are getting ripped off by salespeople selling the products as insurance. Are there good honest salespeople out there selling these plans for what they are? Absolutely! But Ameriplan is NOT the only health discount plan listed on this site even though I think it holds the record at 3 pages of complaints so that means there are many salespeople out there misrepresenting these products and they absolutely hurt the products and the good salespeople by doing so! You've made it clear that you are happy with this company and its products unless maybe you haven't read all 3 pages of complaints on just Ameriplan or are all those consumers just wrong also? If there is that many complaints about one company just on one website, something is not right.
Sue
USA,#14Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 22, 2006
Let's see, Ameriplan in Pueblo, Co is not a BBB member and had a complaint but Ameriplan went out of business so that took care of that. Ameriplan in Jose, Ca. is not a member and is listed as an HMO!, Ameriplan in Pensacola in Florida is not a BBB member and again listed as an HMO and get this! It has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to it's FAILURE to discontinue the use of the BBB trademark when demanded to do so. Dwayne, these 3 are just the first few ones listed out of many on the BBB site which is bbb.org You can check out all the rest of the Ameriplan Companies if you wish to but I'm not wasting my time. Put Ameriplan in search on this website's MAIN page and 3 full pages come up of complaints! 3 PAGES full now what does that say to the consumer? Please don't make me laugh by comparing licensed health insurance companies with a discount health plan company. You have absolutely no clue of the laws and licensing a company must meet to be licensed in any state AND if a licensed insurance company or agent does screw up on a policy or claim you can be sure they are in serious trouble and that a problem will be rectified by the director of insurance immediately in any states and fines, withdrawal of license and prosecution are all remedies that can and will be used against a licensed company. You think I'm biased against discount plans and that I'm acting high and mighty because I am a licensed agent? Check the boards buddy and you will see that I've given state insurance dept. numbers out to people to file a complaint even against licensed companies! So where are you going with that comment! Can a licensed insurance company screw up? Of course they can but as they must answer to the state, the consumer has protection! About your cancellation policy or registration fee deal, we don't do that. A consumer pays for a policy before coverage each month so if they decide to cancel at end of month that's it. Coverage stops and so does a premium and there's no registration fee! NEVER with a real insurance company! I believe you when you say the attorney generals are looking at the discount health plans but it's not for licensing. I KNOW they are looking at them very hard as many websites from the states already have warnings to consumers about them! I know this site is being monitored by the states and the feds consumer protection offices and I don't see how you are doing your company any good by trying to defend them on this site. IF you want to throw around the BBB's name and how much they like the company then why is it the BBB got this consumers money returned in full? 3 pages full of complaints about the SAME company dwayne! Are all these consumers wrong? You want to keep defending the company? Fine, but your company will never see a license after your attorney general sees all these complaints coupled with the BBB and Consumer affairs reports that may exist. Ameriplan in Florida is ripping off the BBB tradesmark? That's a serious charge right there the BBB has on it's own website and it certainly does not add any credability to the company at all. See, most consumers do not check their local BBB office they check the national one so you can see everything at once. That's a good thing as there are so many Ameriplan offices that may or may not still be opened for business and some that may or may not have complaints but it's all the same company. Some clerk in the attorney general's office's can check out all of the offices your company has and they can look at the 3 pages of complaints from consumers just from this website alone! Let me tell you one other thing before I end this and that is your company better sit up straight and really fix this one asap. Ameriplan is listed as an HMO on several Ameriplan offices on the BBB website. Now you know and I know that an HMO is INSURANCE and if you don't think the states these offices are located in will go right after Ameriplan for using the term HMO as their company's description now that they know it, think again. Some do say health discount plans but some say HMO. Right out in public view pretending to be an insurance company and if by your own admission all your company's material clearly states it's NOT insurance...? not good dwayne. Actually it's a good thing you felt the need to respond once again on this site because I'm sure the HMO description may have been overlooked until now and as this site is monitored by various state and federal consumer advocate offices I bet Ameriplan will be answering some hard questions real soon. I bet those state attorney generals you mentioned are going to have MANY questions for Ameriplan also!Now I'm done dwayne with this thread. The consumer got her money back with the help of the BBB not your company and that's what is important. It's entirely up to you if you want to keep defending the company but at this point I really do not see how that would help Ameriplan. Now you want to attack real insurance companies and what they get for a higher premium vs. a discount health plan? Let's say we have a guy insured that has one of MY company's plans with a 2500.00 deductible with 100 percent coverage after the deductible is reached that has a heart attack and now needs a triple bypass because his arteries are clogged which was the cause of the MI. We pay for all the ER care and treatment that saved the guys life, we pay for all the MRI's CT's and ultrasounds the guy will need before surgery, we pay full hospital expenses for 10 days and for the entire surgery and several cardiologists, nursing staff, primary doctor, all the blood and all the meds and all the follow up doctor's visits and treatment this guy is going to need and what's our final bill? Possibly 110,000.00 and that's without major complications only some minor ones. The guy paid about 280.00 a month for 2 years that he had the policy so that's 6720.00. Now add up two years of what the guy would have paid you for a premium and then tell me how much you are going to pay for this guy's illness. Let's see maybe you sold him a 2500.00 critical illness plan and that should cover bypasses so there's 2500.00 he gets. Now let's say you sold him a plan and he gets 1000.00 a day for each day he's in the hospital so that's 10,000. So far you've saved this guy 12,500.00 minus what he paid you in premiums. So the guy only has to come up with 97,500.00 on his own? Maybe you have a better plan than this but is it going to come anywhere close to paying what a good major medical policy will pay? Here's the real kicker! Some salesperson for some health discount company sold this poor guy the product as INSURANCE and now the guy is trying to understand why the hospital and the doctors are telling him that he never had insurance and that he has to pay the bill. IF you think I or any other licensed health agent would EVER consider you or your health discount products as competition, you are dead wrong and we are tired of hearing about how people are getting ripped off by salespeople selling the products as insurance. Are there good honest salespeople out there selling these plans for what they are? Absolutely! But Ameriplan is NOT the only health discount plan listed on this site even though I think it holds the record at 3 pages of complaints so that means there are many salespeople out there misrepresenting these products and they absolutely hurt the products and the good salespeople by doing so! You've made it clear that you are happy with this company and its products unless maybe you haven't read all 3 pages of complaints on just Ameriplan or are all those consumers just wrong also? If there is that many complaints about one company just on one website, something is not right.
Dwayne
Wauseon,#15UPDATE Employee
Sun, May 21, 2006
Sue go figure why your on this board to raise more bad publicity on AmeriPlan because your an insurance agent. You know its aweful funny how most insurance companies know are offering discount plans along with their insurance for people that can't afford your high cost premiums looks like your all trying to join the band wagon. Also I don't know of any insurance company that will refund your premium after you cancel your policy at least not any that I have ever had they always wanted to raise my cost more. Also your other post on AmeriPlan not being a member of the BBB is also funny because when I look up AmeriPlan USA on the BBB it shows up and say has a satisfactory record and is in good standing with them. You know there are insurance companies on this ripoff report also so don't go getting all high and mighty theres been alot of reports of insurance scams around for along time. What gets me is you insurance companies want our money and keep raising premiums so high that most people and even major companys are getting to where they can't afford to pay anymore and if we do have insurance and been paying are premiums for years and never had to file a claim and then when the time comes when we do need to file a claim for something then we are considered high risk and are canceled at the drop of a hat. Then can no longer get insurance because of that. Insurance companies only want to insure healthy people anymore because that way it doesn't cost you any money . You make money and don't have to pay any claims. Also AmeriPlan is working with every attorney general in alot of states to pass new laws to get rid of these bad apples in the discount benefits industry as far as I know AmeriPlan is one of the only if not the only company allowed to market in the state of Florida becaues we are licensed in that state and are getting licensed in other states. So what does that say about our company if these attorny generals in these states are working with us to get licensed and to write laws. To me that speaks pretty highly of AmeriPlan. Don't get me wrong I'm in no way saying to cancel anyones insurance if you have it but our company is offering a valuble service to people that can't afford insurance or are underinsured.
Dwayne
Wauseon,#16UPDATE Employee
Sun, May 21, 2006
Sue go figure why your on this board to raise more bad publicity on AmeriPlan because your an insurance agent. You know its aweful funny how most insurance companies know are offering discount plans along with their insurance for people that can't afford your high cost premiums looks like your all trying to join the band wagon. Also I don't know of any insurance company that will refund your premium after you cancel your policy at least not any that I have ever had they always wanted to raise my cost more. Also your other post on AmeriPlan not being a member of the BBB is also funny because when I look up AmeriPlan USA on the BBB it shows up and say has a satisfactory record and is in good standing with them. You know there are insurance companies on this ripoff report also so don't go getting all high and mighty theres been alot of reports of insurance scams around for along time. What gets me is you insurance companies want our money and keep raising premiums so high that most people and even major companys are getting to where they can't afford to pay anymore and if we do have insurance and been paying are premiums for years and never had to file a claim and then when the time comes when we do need to file a claim for something then we are considered high risk and are canceled at the drop of a hat. Then can no longer get insurance because of that. Insurance companies only want to insure healthy people anymore because that way it doesn't cost you any money . You make money and don't have to pay any claims. Also AmeriPlan is working with every attorney general in alot of states to pass new laws to get rid of these bad apples in the discount benefits industry as far as I know AmeriPlan is one of the only if not the only company allowed to market in the state of Florida becaues we are licensed in that state and are getting licensed in other states. So what does that say about our company if these attorny generals in these states are working with us to get licensed and to write laws. To me that speaks pretty highly of AmeriPlan. Don't get me wrong I'm in no way saying to cancel anyones insurance if you have it but our company is offering a valuble service to people that can't afford insurance or are underinsured.
Dwayne
Wauseon,#17UPDATE Employee
Sun, May 21, 2006
Sue go figure why your on this board to raise more bad publicity on AmeriPlan because your an insurance agent. You know its aweful funny how most insurance companies know are offering discount plans along with their insurance for people that can't afford your high cost premiums looks like your all trying to join the band wagon. Also I don't know of any insurance company that will refund your premium after you cancel your policy at least not any that I have ever had they always wanted to raise my cost more. Also your other post on AmeriPlan not being a member of the BBB is also funny because when I look up AmeriPlan USA on the BBB it shows up and say has a satisfactory record and is in good standing with them. You know there are insurance companies on this ripoff report also so don't go getting all high and mighty theres been alot of reports of insurance scams around for along time. What gets me is you insurance companies want our money and keep raising premiums so high that most people and even major companys are getting to where they can't afford to pay anymore and if we do have insurance and been paying are premiums for years and never had to file a claim and then when the time comes when we do need to file a claim for something then we are considered high risk and are canceled at the drop of a hat. Then can no longer get insurance because of that. Insurance companies only want to insure healthy people anymore because that way it doesn't cost you any money . You make money and don't have to pay any claims. Also AmeriPlan is working with every attorney general in alot of states to pass new laws to get rid of these bad apples in the discount benefits industry as far as I know AmeriPlan is one of the only if not the only company allowed to market in the state of Florida becaues we are licensed in that state and are getting licensed in other states. So what does that say about our company if these attorny generals in these states are working with us to get licensed and to write laws. To me that speaks pretty highly of AmeriPlan. Don't get me wrong I'm in no way saying to cancel anyones insurance if you have it but our company is offering a valuble service to people that can't afford insurance or are underinsured.
Sue
USA,#18Consumer Suggestion
Sat, May 20, 2006
If all people who sold health discount plans stated that they were not insurance we would not see all the complaints on this board that are from people who have been misled by a salesperson stating the plans are insurance. There are many different companies out there that sell these plans besides Ameriplan. The printed material will state these plans are not insurance but by the time the consumer receives their packet it is too late. You are absolutely right that there are people who are selling these plans to consumers misrepresenting them as insurance. Unfortunately a company cannot watch their salespeople all the time and and problems like this happen no matter how much training a salesperson receives. As a licensed health and life agent these plans are a nightmare for all agents because we are the ones that end up dealing with people who bought a health discount plan thinking it was health insurance and they've canceled a major medical policy and now they can't get another one as they have pre-existing conditions. Underwriting guidelines are very strict and they get tighter all the time as health care costs continue to rise. Cancer and other serious medical conditions or injuries can wipe out a person's assets if they do not have a good major medical policy. If a person does not have good health insurance it can be a life or death situation because if you do not have good coverage you may not be able to pay for the best treatment available. No one likes high premiums but no one likes to find out they can't possibly afford to pay medicals bills themselves either. Healthcare in this country is a national crisis and agents are on the front lines everyday. Many of us are doing everything we can to find a company that will insure serious pre-existing health conditions if we can't cover people with our own companies. It's hard to see someone in person and have to tell them that you can't help them because you know that no one will insure them. I do not write for Blue Cross but I refer people to them all the time when I can't help them as I know the Blue's have some plans that may take pre-existing but will exclude them for a year or 2 but it's better than nothing. I have a list of state numbers I keep to give to people if they qualify for a state plan. Health insurance is a very serious business and licensed state agents are bound by more laws, regulations and rules than you can imagine and if we screw up we just don't get terminated by a company, we can go to jail. I know the cost of medical bills and I know there are millions of dollars of claims everyday coming from doctor's and hospital's and that is reality. I am glad you sell your products honestly and not tell consumers they are health insurance. I hope you will stand out as an example on this website for the others that sell the health discount/savings plans that are not honest with consumers. I do not know why health discount plan companies seem to have a problem refunding people's money when they cancel either as a consumer or as a salesperson and this problem is found with many complaints on this website.
Sue
USA,#19Consumer Suggestion
Sat, May 20, 2006
If all people who sold health discount plans stated that they were not insurance we would not see all the complaints on this board that are from people who have been misled by a salesperson stating the plans are insurance. There are many different companies out there that sell these plans besides Ameriplan. The printed material will state these plans are not insurance but by the time the consumer receives their packet it is too late. You are absolutely right that there are people who are selling these plans to consumers misrepresenting them as insurance. Unfortunately a company cannot watch their salespeople all the time and and problems like this happen no matter how much training a salesperson receives. As a licensed health and life agent these plans are a nightmare for all agents because we are the ones that end up dealing with people who bought a health discount plan thinking it was health insurance and they've canceled a major medical policy and now they can't get another one as they have pre-existing conditions. Underwriting guidelines are very strict and they get tighter all the time as health care costs continue to rise. Cancer and other serious medical conditions or injuries can wipe out a person's assets if they do not have a good major medical policy. If a person does not have good health insurance it can be a life or death situation because if you do not have good coverage you may not be able to pay for the best treatment available. No one likes high premiums but no one likes to find out they can't possibly afford to pay medicals bills themselves either. Healthcare in this country is a national crisis and agents are on the front lines everyday. Many of us are doing everything we can to find a company that will insure serious pre-existing health conditions if we can't cover people with our own companies. It's hard to see someone in person and have to tell them that you can't help them because you know that no one will insure them. I do not write for Blue Cross but I refer people to them all the time when I can't help them as I know the Blue's have some plans that may take pre-existing but will exclude them for a year or 2 but it's better than nothing. I have a list of state numbers I keep to give to people if they qualify for a state plan. Health insurance is a very serious business and licensed state agents are bound by more laws, regulations and rules than you can imagine and if we screw up we just don't get terminated by a company, we can go to jail. I know the cost of medical bills and I know there are millions of dollars of claims everyday coming from doctor's and hospital's and that is reality. I am glad you sell your products honestly and not tell consumers they are health insurance. I hope you will stand out as an example on this website for the others that sell the health discount/savings plans that are not honest with consumers. I do not know why health discount plan companies seem to have a problem refunding people's money when they cancel either as a consumer or as a salesperson and this problem is found with many complaints on this website.
Sue
USA,#20Consumer Suggestion
Sat, May 20, 2006
If all people who sold health discount plans stated that they were not insurance we would not see all the complaints on this board that are from people who have been misled by a salesperson stating the plans are insurance. There are many different companies out there that sell these plans besides Ameriplan. The printed material will state these plans are not insurance but by the time the consumer receives their packet it is too late. You are absolutely right that there are people who are selling these plans to consumers misrepresenting them as insurance. Unfortunately a company cannot watch their salespeople all the time and and problems like this happen no matter how much training a salesperson receives. As a licensed health and life agent these plans are a nightmare for all agents because we are the ones that end up dealing with people who bought a health discount plan thinking it was health insurance and they've canceled a major medical policy and now they can't get another one as they have pre-existing conditions. Underwriting guidelines are very strict and they get tighter all the time as health care costs continue to rise. Cancer and other serious medical conditions or injuries can wipe out a person's assets if they do not have a good major medical policy. If a person does not have good health insurance it can be a life or death situation because if you do not have good coverage you may not be able to pay for the best treatment available. No one likes high premiums but no one likes to find out they can't possibly afford to pay medicals bills themselves either. Healthcare in this country is a national crisis and agents are on the front lines everyday. Many of us are doing everything we can to find a company that will insure serious pre-existing health conditions if we can't cover people with our own companies. It's hard to see someone in person and have to tell them that you can't help them because you know that no one will insure them. I do not write for Blue Cross but I refer people to them all the time when I can't help them as I know the Blue's have some plans that may take pre-existing but will exclude them for a year or 2 but it's better than nothing. I have a list of state numbers I keep to give to people if they qualify for a state plan. Health insurance is a very serious business and licensed state agents are bound by more laws, regulations and rules than you can imagine and if we screw up we just don't get terminated by a company, we can go to jail. I know the cost of medical bills and I know there are millions of dollars of claims everyday coming from doctor's and hospital's and that is reality. I am glad you sell your products honestly and not tell consumers they are health insurance. I hope you will stand out as an example on this website for the others that sell the health discount/savings plans that are not honest with consumers. I do not know why health discount plan companies seem to have a problem refunding people's money when they cancel either as a consumer or as a salesperson and this problem is found with many complaints on this website.
Janet
Tampa,#21UPDATE Employee
Fri, May 19, 2006
This is to Sue in Pa. I would just like to say that Ameriplan has very strict rules about Independent Brokers using the word Insurance when presenting our discount medical services to a potential client. It is cause for termenation from the company. They also do very intense trainings , to teach all brokers to be on the same page. It is unfortunate that some people who come on board with us , never take the time to learn the rules and regulations, so thet are leaving themselves open to a lawsuit. They can make us all look bad.I live in Florida and the regulations here are the most strict of any other state. We are not allowed to give out any info ( brochures , flyers , ect.) without a disclaimer on it. As for Marie , that was unfortunate. Her problem wasn't about being told it was insurance , it was that she felt cheated and lied to. Just for the record , Ameriplan keeps the registration fee , the broker never sees any of that , we do however get 30% level residule with a six month advance and if the customer cancels before the six month advance is caught up , we get a chargeback. In other words , It does not benefit US (Independent Brokers ) to lie to a customer , we make no money if they quit and we have to pay back anything they had advanced us. I am personally very careful when bring a new person in to our system (IBO or Member)because other wise , I would be wasting my time and the consumers also.Thanks for listening.
Paula
Germanton,#22Author of original report
Mon, May 15, 2006
Yes Sue, I do agree that these companies must be stopped. Thank you for the information on reporting companies like these to the Federal Trade Commission. There are people out there do have chronic diseases (diabetes) like myself, that are getting scammed and yes they do need to be stopped!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sue
USA,#23Consumer Suggestion
Mon, May 15, 2006
Never trust a providers list you may see on any website when you are being sold a discount plan. CALL the providers listed in your area and ask THEM if they accept the discount/savers plan BEFORE you buy. If a salesperson will not give you the providers names in your area so you can check the plan before you buy, you know the plan is useless.
Sue
Milford,#24Consumer Suggestion
Sun, May 14, 2006
I am a licensed health insurance agent in the state of Pa. Thousands of people are getting ripped off by discount health plans because the salespeople/business owners represent these plans as health insurance. This is FRAUD! They sell you a plan, tell you that doctor's that discount are in your area and they are no doctor's to be found. There are many plans sold under many names like this and when they are being sold to the consumer mostly over the phone or internet the salespeople are telling people they are buying health insurance. The packages people finally receive may state they are not health insurance but by that time it's too late as the consumer has already been scammed by the salesperson and money is taken by the company. The absolute worse case scenario that happens everyday is people cancel their real major medical insurance thinking they will be getting the same coverage at a much better price. I wonder if these salespeople really understand that they can easily destroy someone's life if they misrepresent and sell their product as insurance and someone that has health problems cancels existing insurance coverage and once they realize that what they bought is not insurance and now the consumer finds out that no real health insurance will pick them and provide coverage as they have pre-existing health conditions. Do the salespeople/business owners have any clue at all how these now uninsured people are suppose to cover medical costs that could easily be in the tens of thousands or much higher with a chronic disease such as diabetes? Now here's a FACT that these salespeople may not be aware of is that the state's are very interested right now in finding out all about these companies and who is selling the plans. For all consumers who have been misled call your state attorney general's office AND your state insurance dept. Make copies of all printed material these companies send you because these state offices do want to see it! AS for help in your state of Louisiana call your dept. of insurance at 800-259-5300 and report this company and you can also find insurance FRAUD report forms to submit on their website and yes, they are interested in these companies because they sell to people stating they are health insurance plans! The Louisiana Consumer Protection Hotline for Baton Rouge is 225-326-6465 and also report this company to the Federal Trade Commission and their MEDIA contact is 202-326-2161 and Staff is 214-979-9378 and YES they DO want to know all about these companies that misrepresent these plans as health insurance WHEN they are being sold. I am happy to hear the BBB helped you obtain a full refund which is what you were entitled to and Consumer Affairs is also very helpful. If you have been misled by these discount health plans being presented as health insurance report them to your state insurance office and your attorney general's office immediately and also to the Federal Trade Commission. Let's stop these companies right now from scamming someone else into thinking they are buying health insurance! sue
Paula
Germanton,#25Author of original report
Tue, April 18, 2006
Hello America, The Better Business Bureau does help. They helped me and my husband get our money back today we got a check today in the full amount ( 100%) of 89.95 and not just the partial amount. So THANK YOU BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!!! IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. So remember peoples do not let ameriplan ripp you off. if they do report them to the BBB they do help.
Paula
Germanton,#26Author of original report
Mon, April 10, 2006
Alan, Stop trying to point to everything else just to make yourself and your company sound good. You say that there might be something going on here than just Ameriplan. Well that is your own judgments and your own thoughts WHICH ARE VERY WRONG!!! you don,t even know who I am so lets just stick to the story. Ameriplan is the one who has ripped me off. This is my last comment to you. I have nothing else to say to you two. Anyway AMERIPLAN IS THE BIGGEST SCAM IN MY BOOK!!!!!!!!! LAST COMMENT ALAN. NO MORE RESPONSE TO YOU TWO.
Alan
Houston,#27UPDATE Employee
Mon, April 10, 2006
Paula (or Marie), I'm really not interested in your personal information. I never asked for it nor do I care to. Just looking for some consistency. If you wish to use an alias, you should choose one and stick to it. How someone could track you down from just a FIRST name and location I don't know. He/she would have to be extremely diligent. If including last name, too, I can understand. Judging by your posts, sounds like there are deeper issues here than just this complaint about Ameriplan, but I'm digressing here, so I'll just leave it at that. BTW, thanks for toning down the caps. Much obliged. I, too, hope your situation is resolved. And Dwayne, good points! Large companies are going to get their share of complaints, some that most people wouldn't think would be listed here (Morgan Chase, eBay, Expedia.com). Reasons vary and snafus do happen, even at those companies with the finest customer service depts. Anyway, I'm outta here!
Paula
Germanton,#28Author of original report
Mon, April 10, 2006
Dwayne, I don,t want a partial refund and I won,t except just a partial refund. I want a full refund for not getting any services at all. THE FIRST LIE that you dont seem to ADDRESS is that Josh gave is that I was told that if I faxed a cancellation that Mine and my husbands 89.95 would not come out of our account, but it was taken out anyway. Ameriplan does not do things with honesty and integrity CAN,T PROVE IT BY ME, DWAYNE.I am not listening to anymore of your excuses, Dwayne so this is my last comment and very last comment to you. Also You are trying to point to everything else coming up with excuses that I possibly didn,t follow instructions there you are wrong wrong wrong again. Probably the reason why this company is becoming so big is because there are probably more people out there that there money has been taken just like mine and my husbands. YOu just assume that the people on the website don,t follow instructions well now that is your own assumption and your own thoughts and you dont, know what they read and what they don,t read. Like I said and will say for the last time You are pointing at everything else and blaming this and that saying that we don,t follow instructions. Lets stick with the real story. That I get told three different stories, Ameriplan does not do business honestly. Far from it and have a nice day!!!!!!
Dwayne
Wauseon,#29UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
Paula for one DON'T CALL ME OR IMPLIE THAT I LIE OR AM A LIER! YOU DON'T KNOW ME AND HOW I DO BUSINESS.I do not lie to people when doing business and I do my business with honesty and integrity. I let people know right up front what costs are involved and give them all the information that they need to know about our benefits. I have nothing to be ashamed of being with this company. Also there is around 36 or so complaints on this board and I'll bet if you investigated most of them you would find out that there was a reason for them not getting their refund or getting terminated from the company because they didn't follow some guideline or rules for their situation. Your complaint will be resolved because AmeriPlan has answered every complaint that has been brought to their attention and have a good standing with the better business bureau. One question that you still haven't answered for me did you return your cards with your cancelation? If not this is the reason you didn't get a refund I would say. Paula sorry for your situation and hope everything works out for you. When you have a company thats getting as large as this your bound to have some complaints thats just inevitable look at the names of companys on this board practically every major company in America is on here. I realize thats not an excuse.But like I said before this company is not out to take or ripoff peoples money. Far from it.Good day to you!
Paula
Germanton,#30Author of original report
Sun, April 09, 2006
Dwayne, You think I didn,t look at the website. Well in your own thoughts and your own fleshly mind you are wrong, wrong wrong. I did look at the website and I did look at the providers in my area and there were a list of them there the same list that was in my book. I did ask ameriplan to help me, but then they come back to me a week later and why a week later,I will never know that there were no providers in my area. Can you explain why Josh lied to me from ameriplan There are no excuses for Ameriplans lies. None of yall seem to even get to that question??? You are just trying to make everything sound so good so you can continue to rip people off out of their money. And if this company is sooooooooo goood like you try to make it sound then why are there people on this website that are being ripped off, besides me? Do you read the websites? Hmm lets turn this around on you were it really belongs. OBviously you must not read the website very well. I have to tell you people. If none were ripped off then there wouldn,t be all these complaints on this website here. Ameriplan must know that there is no providers in the network but you still keep printing them in the book and sending them out to potential clients knowing that there were no providers in the network. Also in the book under every docter, I notice it has the same telephone number 1-866-977-2477 which is directly to Ameriplan. So I called that number under everyone of those docter And the representative tells me when I ask a question about a docter. It takes them 28 to 48 hours to call you back and a couple of times I waited the 48 hours and I did not get a call back, so I had to call them back. Finally after about a week and a half of talking to ameriplan to find a docter. They finally call me back and say there are no docters in my area. Just time enough to take out the 89.95 Its funny how they time it so they can take your money out in time. I should have put a stop payment on that one also. That would have costed me only 15 dollars, but it would have been better than the 89.95 I was ripped off. Dwayne, I did call the toll free number that was in the book under all of the docters names this one 1-866-977-2477. I know it doesn,t take no 24 to 48 hours to tell me if I can get to that docter or not. More stalling time for ameriplan to take your money. You say that the docters don,t update their record with the network and the network has no way of knowing unless they update. Well now, when I spoke to Mark another rep at ameriplan and asked him the question as to why there are no docters in the network. He explained to me that when the docters get enough patients they pull out of the network. So if mark knows that much information then So now Dwayne ameriplan must no there are no docters in the network. but you keep covering up the lies with more and more excuses Pretty soon you are going to run out of excuses and your excuses are going to catch up with you. I am sick of you people lies. YOu tell me one thing, Mark told me another thing and Josh lied about me getting my 89.95 back. Now which one am I suppose to believe. Are you people trained to lie to the clients????? Thats what it sounds like to me. You say I should have known all of the information before I got started. Well Ameriplan needs to be honest with all of the information and explain that there may or may not be docters in thier area, of course now that wouldn,t sound so good about the company now would it. So you sugar coat it make it sound so good on how much money you can save how great the discounts are. Just like the devil giving out sugar coated candy, but people you need to look at the giver of the candy and not just the candy and avoid looking at the giver or (taker in this case.) When you look at the website of Ameriplan. Everything sounds so great because of the discount, but when you get the book and start calling the toll free number for ameriplan for docters, which the reps at ameriplan tell you it takes 24 to 48 hours to get back with you over each docter. Now lets look at this There were 20 docters just in my area, and for each docter it takes ameriplan 24 to 48 hours to get back with you on each docter. So 48 X 20 docters is 40 days or 960 hours. Which is plenty of time to take the money. I believe that you people know that there are no docters in the network but you people still keep them in the book anyway. Of course now your not going to be honest about that either seeming that I have been lied to three times now. You say that there over 2 million customers nationwide that use the benefits but out of that 2 million( sounds like a fictious number to me) have been ripped off. Of course you are not going to keep up with the ones that are ripped off. Have you noticed that there have been alot of people on this website that get thier packet to being an IBO and they say they have been ripped off. There are old people that have to live off of a monthly budget, so when they look at this website and how great Ameriplan is or suppose to be in this case I wonder how many of the old people out of the 2 million were ripped off. ( Shame on you. YOu ever heard the terminology you reap what you sow. You will reap what you have sown. It ain,t I feel that I was ripped off. I was ripped off point blank. You hadn,t said anything about Ameriplan saying that if I faxed a cancellation that my 89.95 would not have been taken out. But it was post marked for two days later to be taken out. I guess it is because you can,t sugar coat that one or come up with excuses for that one. And why does it take 35 days to cancel an account. I was told by ameriplan that my account would be cancelled on May the 3rd( hmmm just when my 59.95 would have been taken out for the month) I know it doesn,t take no 35 days to cancel an account. But when I made a complaint to BBB the account was cancelled immediately almost a month before May the 3rd. So that proves it does not take 35 days to cancel and account. So I guess it takes BBB to light a fire under Ameriplans rear end to cancel. Ok Josh told me that if I faxed a cancellation that my 89.95 would not have been taken out. So It was. Then mark explains to me after all this mess happens that if I sent the cards back that they would keep the 30 dollars and I would only get 59.95 back. I am not agreeing to Ameriplan keeping my 30 dollars when no services were rendered to me. And why should I believe, Ameriplan anyway seemings I have been lied to so many times. Dwayne I am going to get this resolved. Ameriplan has 40 days to respond ( per BBB or further action will be taken.)
Paula
Germanton,#31Author of original report
Sun, April 09, 2006
Alan, If you read the rules of this website here when you file a complaint or a report ( since you two seem to think I don,t read nothing) it clearly states in item B that if you are afraid of retaliation/or wish to remain anomyous then please change your name, city, state or country. Alan I am not going to tell you who I am, I don't give out personal information over the internet. That is none of no one's business. I'm not saying your are, but you might be some serial killer or something. I don't know that and I don't know you personally. So I'm not going to say who I am or where I live that would be kind of stupid. Have you not ever learned not to give out your personal information over the internet? If you give someone there real name and city and state that pretty much narrows it down and if they wanted to they can track you down. So I choose to remain anonymous.
Alan
Houston,#32UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
Sorry, but when I see multiple posts from obviously the same person and he/she is using two different names and locations, I spot a red flag. I'm not suggesting that your story isn't true, but your credibility may come into question by others who read your posts. Also, ease up on the caps; few people will read posts will ALL CAPS.
Dwayne
Wauseon,#33UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
GEE PAULA OR MARIE WHICH EVER YOU ARE I DID STATE IN THE FIRST LINE OF MY REBUTTAL THAT I AM AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER IN AMERIPLAN. Paula I'm not here to start a fight or argue back and forth with you . I'm sorry you feel that you got ripped off and did not get your refund. But this company is not out to rip people off. If that were the case do you think that we would have almost 2 million customers nationwide that use our benefits No I think not. I have people that have our benefits that have thanked me for AmeriPlan because of the money that it has saved them and their family. Lets look at your situation here ok. You said that you didn't know that there was a $30 registration fee but yet you signed up yourself online.Your words below. (The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in WHICH I DID. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in WHICH I DID and membership fees.) When filling out the application it clearly states that there is a one time $30 registration fee. Also why did you continue to fill out the application when you didn't believe it should cost $30 for registration? You say that you did ask the necessary questions but did you think to ask to go to our website and look up providers in your area to make sure that these providers were there? Obviously not. Also PAULA did you return your membership cards ? If you did not then this is the reason you probably didn't get your refund because it CLEARLY states in your membership book to do this to recieve your refund. As for not having half the doctors in our network like you say is way off base. This is why we have a toll-free number for every health member to call first that a representative will call the doctors office to make sure that they are still in the network and taking new patients. Because sometimes these doctors don't update their records with the network and the network has no way of knowing unless they update it. Paula I used the medical for my daughter went to an allergy doctor and every thing went great. First time going to this doctor also. Paula I can't speak for the IBO that handled yours but they should of done everything to help you out in every way. Like I said before this company is not out to rip people off if that were the case I don't think that we would have almost 2 million customers Nationwide that use our benefits . So we must be doing something right. My advice is next time to make sure you know all the information before getting started because all the information on our cost and services are made plainly clear on our websites and all our brochures and marketing materials for everyone to see and read. Again sorry for your situation and hope that you can get this resolved. Did you call this number to try and resolve your problem 800-472-3995 ?
Dwayne
Wauseon,#34UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
GEE PAULA OR MARIE WHICH EVER YOU ARE I DID STATE IN THE FIRST LINE OF MY REBUTTAL THAT I AM AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER IN AMERIPLAN. Paula I'm not here to start a fight or argue back and forth with you . I'm sorry you feel that you got ripped off and did not get your refund. But this company is not out to rip people off. If that were the case do you think that we would have almost 2 million customers nationwide that use our benefits No I think not. I have people that have our benefits that have thanked me for AmeriPlan because of the money that it has saved them and their family. Lets look at your situation here ok. You said that you didn't know that there was a $30 registration fee but yet you signed up yourself online.Your words below. (The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in WHICH I DID. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in WHICH I DID and membership fees.) When filling out the application it clearly states that there is a one time $30 registration fee. Also why did you continue to fill out the application when you didn't believe it should cost $30 for registration? You say that you did ask the necessary questions but did you think to ask to go to our website and look up providers in your area to make sure that these providers were there? Obviously not. Also PAULA did you return your membership cards ? If you did not then this is the reason you probably didn't get your refund because it CLEARLY states in your membership book to do this to recieve your refund. As for not having half the doctors in our network like you say is way off base. This is why we have a toll-free number for every health member to call first that a representative will call the doctors office to make sure that they are still in the network and taking new patients. Because sometimes these doctors don't update their records with the network and the network has no way of knowing unless they update it. Paula I used the medical for my daughter went to an allergy doctor and every thing went great. First time going to this doctor also. Paula I can't speak for the IBO that handled yours but they should of done everything to help you out in every way. Like I said before this company is not out to rip people off if that were the case I don't think that we would have almost 2 million customers Nationwide that use our benefits . So we must be doing something right. My advice is next time to make sure you know all the information before getting started because all the information on our cost and services are made plainly clear on our websites and all our brochures and marketing materials for everyone to see and read. Again sorry for your situation and hope that you can get this resolved. Did you call this number to try and resolve your problem 800-472-3995 ?
Dwayne
Wauseon,#35UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
GEE PAULA OR MARIE WHICH EVER YOU ARE I DID STATE IN THE FIRST LINE OF MY REBUTTAL THAT I AM AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER IN AMERIPLAN. Paula I'm not here to start a fight or argue back and forth with you . I'm sorry you feel that you got ripped off and did not get your refund. But this company is not out to rip people off. If that were the case do you think that we would have almost 2 million customers nationwide that use our benefits No I think not. I have people that have our benefits that have thanked me for AmeriPlan because of the money that it has saved them and their family. Lets look at your situation here ok. You said that you didn't know that there was a $30 registration fee but yet you signed up yourself online.Your words below. (The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in WHICH I DID. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in WHICH I DID and membership fees.) When filling out the application it clearly states that there is a one time $30 registration fee. Also why did you continue to fill out the application when you didn't believe it should cost $30 for registration? You say that you did ask the necessary questions but did you think to ask to go to our website and look up providers in your area to make sure that these providers were there? Obviously not. Also PAULA did you return your membership cards ? If you did not then this is the reason you probably didn't get your refund because it CLEARLY states in your membership book to do this to recieve your refund. As for not having half the doctors in our network like you say is way off base. This is why we have a toll-free number for every health member to call first that a representative will call the doctors office to make sure that they are still in the network and taking new patients. Because sometimes these doctors don't update their records with the network and the network has no way of knowing unless they update it. Paula I used the medical for my daughter went to an allergy doctor and every thing went great. First time going to this doctor also. Paula I can't speak for the IBO that handled yours but they should of done everything to help you out in every way. Like I said before this company is not out to rip people off if that were the case I don't think that we would have almost 2 million customers Nationwide that use our benefits . So we must be doing something right. My advice is next time to make sure you know all the information before getting started because all the information on our cost and services are made plainly clear on our websites and all our brochures and marketing materials for everyone to see and read. Again sorry for your situation and hope that you can get this resolved. Did you call this number to try and resolve your problem 800-472-3995 ?
Dwayne
Wauseon,#36UPDATE Employee
Sun, April 09, 2006
GEE PAULA OR MARIE WHICH EVER YOU ARE I DID STATE IN THE FIRST LINE OF MY REBUTTAL THAT I AM AN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OWNER IN AMERIPLAN. Paula I'm not here to start a fight or argue back and forth with you . I'm sorry you feel that you got ripped off and did not get your refund. But this company is not out to rip people off. If that were the case do you think that we would have almost 2 million customers nationwide that use our benefits No I think not. I have people that have our benefits that have thanked me for AmeriPlan because of the money that it has saved them and their family. Lets look at your situation here ok. You said that you didn't know that there was a $30 registration fee but yet you signed up yourself online.Your words below. (The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in WHICH I DID. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in WHICH I DID and membership fees.) When filling out the application it clearly states that there is a one time $30 registration fee. Also why did you continue to fill out the application when you didn't believe it should cost $30 for registration? You say that you did ask the necessary questions but did you think to ask to go to our website and look up providers in your area to make sure that these providers were there? Obviously not. Also PAULA did you return your membership cards ? If you did not then this is the reason you probably didn't get your refund because it CLEARLY states in your membership book to do this to recieve your refund. As for not having half the doctors in our network like you say is way off base. This is why we have a toll-free number for every health member to call first that a representative will call the doctors office to make sure that they are still in the network and taking new patients. Because sometimes these doctors don't update their records with the network and the network has no way of knowing unless they update it. Paula I used the medical for my daughter went to an allergy doctor and every thing went great. First time going to this doctor also. Paula I can't speak for the IBO that handled yours but they should of done everything to help you out in every way. Like I said before this company is not out to rip people off if that were the case I don't think that we would have almost 2 million customers Nationwide that use our benefits . So we must be doing something right. My advice is next time to make sure you know all the information before getting started because all the information on our cost and services are made plainly clear on our websites and all our brochures and marketing materials for everyone to see and read. Again sorry for your situation and hope that you can get this resolved. Did you call this number to try and resolve your problem 800-472-3995 ?
Paula
Germanton,#37Author of original report
Sat, April 08, 2006
ALAN, STOP BEING CONCERNED ABOUT NAMES AND SWITCHING THIS AROUND. JUST SO YOU CAN KEEP MAKING A LIVING OFF OF TAKING OTHER PEOPLE. MONEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. HOW COULD YOU WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT RIPPS THE CONSUMERS OFF. HMM I FIND THAT STRANGE AS YOU WOULD SAY. You say knowledge is power you are right about one thing, I will be more knowlegeable about companys like this one in the future, and not sign up with them I will let more people know not to sign up with Ameriplan.
Paula
Germanton,#38Author of original report
Sat, April 08, 2006
Dwayne Wauseou, GEE DWAYNE, I WONDER SOMETHING IF YOU ARE REALLY A CONSUMER, OR AND EMPLOYEE PLAYING AS A CONSUMER (HMMM, AS ALAN WOULD SAY I FIND THIS STRANGE.) JUST TO MAKE THE COMPANY LOOK GOOD SO YOU CAN KEEP MAKING MONEY OFF OF PEOPLE AND NOT GIVING THEM THE SERVICES. I FIND THAT INTERESTING IF YOU ARE. Well if you are tired of hearing about somebody saying that they are tired of being ripped off. TOO BADD. Well then stop ripping people off. You people from ameriplan will use every excuse/ manipulative reason to come up with to take someone elses money. It don,t work on my end. Well then stop ripping people off out of thier money then. EXCUSE ME, but none of this was told BEFORE I got my packet that there were no docters in the network. NOTICE DWAYNE I SAID BEFORE. Then when consumers like us are being ripped off DWAYNE the word you so are getting tired of hearing of It would help if people like you, would be honest and upfront before we get the packet. Not after, SO you can take our money. OH and by the way I did read the packet. Since you people can,t seem to comprehend this, I HAD FAXED A CANCELLATION TO JOSH, NOT PHONE A CANCELLATION, WHO EXPLAINED THAT MY 89.95 WOULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT and the next two days it was. DWAYNE EMPLOYEES LIKE YOU,( WHICH I THINK YOU ARE AND NOT JUST A CONSUMER)ARE JUST TRYING TO COME UP WITH EXCUSES AND MORE EXCUSES SO YOU CAN KEEP RIPPING OFF. YUP GUESS WHAT THE WORD YOU DON,T LIKE HEARING. JUST SO YOU CAN KEEP MAKING A LIVING OFF OF OTHERS PEOPLE MONEY NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY GET RIPPED OFF AND THEN YOU TRY TO MAKE IT SOUND REAL GOOD. HOW INTERESING DWAYNE. MAYBE IF THE EMPLOYEES AT AMERIPLAN WOULD BE HONEST BEFORE YOU SIGN UP AND EXPLAIN THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE DOCTERS NOT BEING IN THE NETWORK. THEN ALOT OF THE CONSUMERS WOULDN,T BE TAKEN OF THEIR MONEY. SOUNDS TO ME THAT AMERIPLAN JUST LIKES TO DOCTER IT UP WITH THE 30 DAYS MONEY BACK GUARENTEE ( KNOWING THAT THERE ARE NO DOCTERS IN THE NETWORK) JUST TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD. THEN THEY DON,T HONOR ANYTHING THEY JUST SAY IT. AMERIPLAN TELLS YOU ONE THING THEN DOES SOMETHING ELSE. AND YES, DWAYNE WILL SAY THIS FOR THE SECOND TIME REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THIS WHICH AT THIS POINT I REALLY DON,T CARE. I READ THE PACKET. THE THIRTY DOLLARS IS A BIT STEEP FOR MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION. KNOWING THAT HALF OF THE CONSUMERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIND DOCTERS. SO YOU KEEP THIRTY DOLLARS FOR NOTHING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 89.95 WOULD NOT BE TAKEN OUT BY JOSH AT AMERIPLAN AND IT WAS TWO DAYS LATER. SO GEE I WOULD CALL THIS DISHONESTY NOT WHINING DWAYNE. I BELIEVE THE REASON WHY AMERIPLAN KEPT STALLING IN TRYING TO FIND DOCTERS FOR ME IS SO THEY COULD RIPP ME OFF OF THE 89.95 SO JUST ANOTHER DECEPTIVE WAY.AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND WILL SAY AGAIN. THERE ARE TWO THINGS IN THIS LIFE YOU DO NOT MESS WITH IS MY MONEY AND MY CHILDREN.
Alan
Houston,#39UPDATE Employee
Sat, April 08, 2006
After my rebuttal to Marie's complaint, I noticed that the response to my rebuttal comes from Paula in Germantown, North Carolina. Initially I believed the response to be from Marie from Baton Rouge. Read them both and see. Are Marie and Paula the same person? How strange... And Dwayne, I wholeheartedly agree. Many problems the new members suddenly face could be avoided if only they would read the membership guide. It's not War and Peace. It won't take weeks and it's not hard to understand. Remember, everyone, seek knowledge, because knowledge is power!
Dwayne
Wauseon,#40Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 08, 2006
I'm an independent business owner with AmeriPlan and am tired of hearing how people think they are getting ripped off by this company. It states on page 18 of your membership booklet. AmeriPlan Satisfaction Guarantee and Cancellation by Member. If you are not satisfied within the first 30 days of becoming a member, you may cancel your membership in writing to AmeriPlan Bank and Credit Card Services by mail to 5700 Democracy Drive, Plano, TX. 75024, by Fax to 469-229-4595 or e-mail to [email protected]. In order to receive your membership fee refund, you must return the membership identification cards. The one time administration fee and money paid for health care services and products are not refundable. After 30 days, membership fees are non - refundable. You may cancel your membership at anytime by written request and the return of your membership cards. Attempts to cancel by phone will not be accepted. People need to read their membership books when they get them and now how to use the benefits and then their wouldn't be these problems . I have heard nothing about anyone of you saying that you returned your cards in with your request. That's the problem with today people are to quick to jump and complaign and wine about every little thing instead of finding out why this happened. I have had nothing but excellant service with this company business and benefits.
Paula
Germanton,#41REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, April 06, 2006
I was looking for a Physician in the area. The IBO that signed me up told me that this was a Christian organization and that this was cheaper then trying to get insurance, when she quoted to me over the phone how much it was going to cost me, It was right in mine and my husbands price range,. The IBO asked me where did I live and When I told her she said, there are docters in your area that you could go to. The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in which I did. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in which I did and membership fees. She said nothing about it being part of a fee for signing up. I was decieved from the very beginning. So when I called the docters that were on the list none of them were in the network and there was only one in the network, but she was the only one out of 20 docters that were in the network available, but she was not accepting any new patients. Also I have a friend in the state of North Carolina who signed up with Ameriplan and she got ripped off also. I was also explained by her that there were no docters in her area also that were in the network. I find that very interesting. Anyway Josh explained to me the rep at ameriplan, as I had stated in the last response that my 89.95 would not be taken out of my bank account as long as I faxed stating I wanted to cancel that night, but the next two days it was taken out. That was another deception. So I was decieved twice. By the IBO and with the representative I spoke with by Ameriplan. Yes, My cancellation I submitted within thirty days. Matter of fact it was submitted two weeks after I got my book. I have contacted better business bureau and Ameriplan has 40 days to respond, or further action will be taken, by the better business bureau. I am interested to hear if there are any other people out there who have signed up with Ameriplan for the health discounts and you have experienced the same thing I did. No docters in your area that were in the network, but they took your money anyway.
Paula
Germanton,#42REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, April 06, 2006
I was looking for a Physician in the area. The IBO that signed me up told me that this was a Christian organization and that this was cheaper then trying to get insurance, when she quoted to me over the phone how much it was going to cost me, It was right in mine and my husbands price range,. The IBO asked me where did I live and When I told her she said, there are docters in your area that you could go to. The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in which I did. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in which I did and membership fees. She said nothing about it being part of a fee for signing up. I was decieved from the very beginning. So when I called the docters that were on the list none of them were in the network and there was only one in the network, but she was the only one out of 20 docters that were in the network available, but she was not accepting any new patients. Also I have a friend in the state of North Carolina who signed up with Ameriplan and she got ripped off also. I was also explained by her that there were no docters in her area also that were in the network. I find that very interesting. Anyway Josh explained to me the rep at ameriplan, as I had stated in the last response that my 89.95 would not be taken out of my bank account as long as I faxed stating I wanted to cancel that night, but the next two days it was taken out. That was another deception. So I was decieved twice. By the IBO and with the representative I spoke with by Ameriplan. Yes, My cancellation I submitted within thirty days. Matter of fact it was submitted two weeks after I got my book. I have contacted better business bureau and Ameriplan has 40 days to respond, or further action will be taken, by the better business bureau. I am interested to hear if there are any other people out there who have signed up with Ameriplan for the health discounts and you have experienced the same thing I did. No docters in your area that were in the network, but they took your money anyway.
Paula
Germanton,#43REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, April 06, 2006
I was looking for a Physician in the area. The IBO that signed me up told me that this was a Christian organization and that this was cheaper then trying to get insurance, when she quoted to me over the phone how much it was going to cost me, It was right in mine and my husbands price range,. The IBO asked me where did I live and When I told her she said, there are docters in your area that you could go to. The IBO explaind to me that I could go online and sign up for the Ameriplan in which I did. I did ask the necessary questions to my IBO,She mentioned nothing about it costing me a 30$ fee kept for what?? No services rendered. I dont believe it should cost 30$ to fill out and application online in which I did and membership fees. She said nothing about it being part of a fee for signing up. I was decieved from the very beginning. So when I called the docters that were on the list none of them were in the network and there was only one in the network, but she was the only one out of 20 docters that were in the network available, but she was not accepting any new patients. Also I have a friend in the state of North Carolina who signed up with Ameriplan and she got ripped off also. I was also explained by her that there were no docters in her area also that were in the network. I find that very interesting. Anyway Josh explained to me the rep at ameriplan, as I had stated in the last response that my 89.95 would not be taken out of my bank account as long as I faxed stating I wanted to cancel that night, but the next two days it was taken out. That was another deception. So I was decieved twice. By the IBO and with the representative I spoke with by Ameriplan. Yes, My cancellation I submitted within thirty days. Matter of fact it was submitted two weeks after I got my book. I have contacted better business bureau and Ameriplan has 40 days to respond, or further action will be taken, by the better business bureau. I am interested to hear if there are any other people out there who have signed up with Ameriplan for the health discounts and you have experienced the same thing I did. No docters in your area that were in the network, but they took your money anyway.
Alan
Houston,#44UPDATE Employee
Thu, April 06, 2006
Marie, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with Ameriplan. I don't know what the IBO who signed you up told (or didn't tell) you, but I believe your experience could have been avoided. As an IBO myself, I always make it a point to strenuously suggest to any potential prospect/client to do a provider search at the Ameriplan site BEFORE signing up. It's very simple to do and can assist the client in making an imformed decision before proceeding. I don't know if you were seeking a general physician or a certain specialist, but I would assume that Baton Rouge is a smaller market than others thus such markets yield a limited number of participating providers, even moreso with specialists. Furthermore, physicians that may have been in the network in your area may have been forced to pull out due to the increase in population in your area due to Katrina. Either that or they may not be accepting new patients due to said population influx. I'm not saying that this is, in fact, the case. Just a theory. Katrina has affected us all in some way. Secondly, your cancellation letter is a written 30-day notice and it is stated as such in your Member Information Guide in your membership packet. That's probably why the second gentleman you spoke with informed you that the cancellation takes effect May 3rd (still I do wonder why cancellation takes effect 35 days later instead of 30. I believe the people at corporate are thinking in terms of ending of billing cycles. I'll have to confirm that with someone at the corporate office.). I do believe you are being cautious when you ordered your bank to do a stop payment for May 3rd, but depending on your bank's policies, there may be a bank fee even on an anticipated ACH. Also, in regards to the refund of your first month's fee. The refund does not include the $30 registration, and the application you submitted, the brochure, AND the Info Guide state this, regardless of whether or not you submitted your request within 30 days. I didn't notice any mention about returning membership cards. According to the Info Guide, return of these cards is also required with your cancellation. I would suggest mailing a request for refund along with your cards (you should have 4). I'd do it ASAP. And please, allow some time for your refund to be processed. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks. BTW, since Ameriplan is not insurance, it's unlikely a call to the insurance commissioner would help. I hope this post clarifies some things and is helpful. I believe most of these incidents could be avoided if information was read beforehand and, if necessary, questions asked before signup. Good luck to you!