Complaint Review: National Association Of Private Enterprise And SmartChoice Health Care - El Paso Texas

I was struck by the similarities between my complaint and that of other consumers. In the fall of 2005 I was looking for health insurance, and as a middle aged newly self-employed individual I had just been rejected by Mega (the company used by NASE) Health and Life Insurance. I spoke with two different sales people who talked up the wonders of their program and the ratings of the companies used.

I was told by two different people and on two different occasions that it was the last day to get into this group plan. I felt under pressure to find some kind of insurance, and the product was described as insurance until the last minute while I was signing up (after giving my credit card information -- even though I was incredulous. I actually said to the guy, "How do I know you are a real company?" He said, "I can only ask you to give us 5% of your trust and let us earn the other 95%. (How could I be so stupid, I ask myself now. I asked him to send me an email confirmation, which he promised and I never got. A few days later I called asking for confirmation, and they said no one at member services could help me until I got my packet in the mail.

Then, I would have a member number and be able to log onto their website. I found it hard to believe that nobody on the selling end was able to track my purchase, but I let it go.) The "accountability" operator explained the details of the plan rapidly, asking me to hold my questions until the end because if I stopped to ask a question at any time during the process they would have to restart at the beginning. I was told that I would get my membership packet in the next 5-10 days. It was more like 15 days. When I finally did get the "membership packet" it was a booklet with THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE PLAN at the bottom of almost every page and 2 almost illegible "membership" cards. Apparently one was for prescription discounts and the other for medical. I brought it to Target (where it's supposed to be accepts), and they looked at it with raised eyebrows.

In the end I think maybe I got some very small discount on my prescriptions. Then, I tried to access dental benefits, and my dentist's office could find out nothing about accessing any benefit. My dentist's receptionist was on the phone to Aetna Dental Access while I was there and was told that there was nothing to fill out, no claims forms, and that she should just use her PPO discount sheet. She said, "but I don't have a contract with Aetna for any PPO discount program" . On March 15, 2006 I called NAPE, the number listed on the back of the membership card under "Insured Benefits - For Information or Claims Forms Call 800-640-0784. Twice I called and got voicemail. Once I called and got a woman on the line who was quick to tell me that I could access information at Smart Choice Health Care's website - smartchoicehealthcare.net. But guess what?

There is no web page in operation with that name that I have been able to access either today or any time before. I received no confirmation of my payments (except for my bank statement) and receipt for specific benefits or services. If I cannot get every cent back I will be very upset, not just for being duped but also for the time that I have lost engaging with possible scammers. I also have a graduate degree and consider myself a very careful consumer. What happened? I think a lot of my weak judgment came from the feeling of vulnerability that comes from knowing that an illness or accident while uninsured could result in quick financial ruin. That's just wrong in any civilized society.

Please withhold my name from publication, but put me in contact with whomever I need to consult to get to the truth about this alleged company.

Jennifer

Baltimore, Maryland
U.S.A.