Paul
Abilene,#2Author of original report
Fri, September 10, 2004
I called their home office and eventually spoke to Richard Moore. I was trying to find out if John Barry is a real Healthcare Advantage agent. I learned that the agents work from their homes. There was some dificulty in finally determining that Barry is indeed one. I cancelled within 3 federal business days by telephone and by fax. I was mailed a packet of Healthcare Advantage literature regardless. I returned it to sender unopened. Barry urged me to use the "confirmation number" with a healthcare professional even before receiving the literature. That would have voided the 30 day trial period and given up the $100 "application fee". Moore told me that I am entitled to a full refund. But I had already stopped payment at my bank. Moore asked if Barry had represented the healthcare plan to be insurance. He knew that, in my case, it would then be under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Insurance rather than the Attorney General of Texas. The Healthcare Advantage plan must be marketed as a PPO. It was to me, but the distinction was blurred during telemarketing. (I doubt that their agents are licensed to sell insurance.) I told Moore that the accidental death clause was represented as insurance. In fact, during the telemarketing call it was called "life insurance" more than once, and a named beneficiary was required. Moore said there has never been a case of identity theft by a Healthcare Advantage employee. What else would he have said when I expressed that concern?