Complaint Review: nbla - dulth Georgia

I understand and respect those of you out there who listened and read the the coverage information.  As did I before i went through with it.  My problem isn't that they state that "they're not health insurance"  although it's slightly confusing for most people who don't understand how health insurance works (which unfortunately is quite a bit of the population in America.  Regardless of that we still need it), It's written on their documents as well as the cards they send you. 

My problem is  what takes place within the confines of the initial interview, and policy explanation (verbal agreement) is very different from the service you eventually get as a result of your coverage.   In my experience with NBLA, I spoke with a representative over the course of several days as i had been shopping around, and researching various companies for something affordable.  This company among others was one that seemed affordable and offered coverage for people with preexisting conditions.  When I had requested specific information over the phone before my purchase with regards to what exactly was covered in this policy.  I was told one thing and eventually had gotten another.  With confidence, this representative assured me of quality customer service, and wide network of coverage.  I was impressed but skeptical so i had asked, 'Were my doctors were in the network?'  The representative with whom i had been dealing with, told me directly that, "yes" my doctors were covered.  And lead me to believe (by saying so) that everything i needed was within the network and covered.

First of all,  Before i went through with purchasing the health plan through National Better Living Association, i gave the representative my doctors names and specialties, and asked if my visits to them would be covered.  (As it has been mentioned, these discussions are recorded.)  I Told the representative that this plan "sounded great," but i would like to call my doctors and confirm that this membership was on their network.  As well as to confirm that my medicine would be covered. This representative literally told me that he would look it up for me.  When he returned to the phone, he said that the doctors I gave him were in fact in the network data base and were covered. 
They were not,  (one of whom had been- but not for at least the past five years).

He also said that my medicine would be covered.  As it turns out, it also was not.  My options were to either pay full price for my required brand name medications (which is over $500), or start taking generic (for some people generic works just fine, but unfortunately in my case, generic medicine doesn't work the same in preventing what it needs to prevent.)

When i tried to contact them to voice a complaint directly, I was consistently sent to voice mail.  After leaving several messages simply requesting a return phone call, which i did not receive.  I finally left a message explaining the reasons why I was calling and requested them not deduct any money from my account until i felt my complaints had been
rectified.  Still having not received a returned call, the company deducted funds anyway.

I have since closed the account from which they were deducting payment from, and a miracle happened.  They finally called me (leaving a Voice mail regarding late payment and passively threatening to cut me off what they call, coverage)!   Oddly enough, at the time of purchase the representative stated that this service was on a month to month basis- Not a contractual agreement. and therefore, they had no right to withdraw funds without my consent. 

I feel their representatives pulled the ol' Bait and switch, (which is not ethical or lawful).

If i had not been lied to, I would have gone with another insurance  company in the first place who would cover what i need covered.  It's difficult enough for people born with preexisting conditions to lead a normal life- not because they are disabled but because with all the dues they pay for health insurance or health memberships; They should feel as though they're being taken care of.  Instead, most of us get stuck paying full price for what they need out of their own pockets in addition to basic coverage, or sacrificing what they need for something that isn't truly helping them- Like wrong or generic medicines.  Health care is expensive and most people, even without preexisting conditions can't afford it on their own.  If these companies cant help us pay for what we need to pay for, they should say so instead of being misleading in the first place. Or figure out a way to be able to do so.  Most importantly, They should communicate with their customers when they call with questions, (especially when they advertise and state that customers can call at anytime and that they value our business.)   Instead, They give the impression that they aren't concerned with what their client base requires yet take our money anyway.

In conclusion, lying and misleading customers about services provided, not answering or returning phone calls, and deducting payment without consent are major deal breakers for any business relationship.  But when it comes to a persons health and negatively affecting ones ability to achieve normalcy in their daily lives...  Well that's just dirty pool.

-Outraged.

The thing is from my experience in the last 2 months is not that we don't read the policy it's that they tell you different things every time you call. Plus the info they give over the phone is only to get you to sign up ( without any thing to look over but the website if you know where to look) then its different when u actually get the packet. I signed up thinking it was a good deal and my cobra just ended. They said yes your liver disease (pre existing) would be covered because your insurance has not lapsed. They took my info and told me they would debit my account the 18th of January (like 5 days later) I called the next business to say I didn't want it because it was too costly and I'll. Wait til I get Medicare. The lady that signed us up Antoinette Danetzler and Joyce Marshall said they would cancel and no debits will b taken out. Well low and behold $506 came out january 23rd, so I called back they said they would cancel and credit us back in 5-7 days. I put a dispute through my bank and my bank credited us back and is going through fraud to get it back. Well then a week later I got my packet. Since I thought nbla credited us back Everything was taken care of. Well the 23rd of feb I was debited $396. I called they said there was no cancellation and I had to cancel through a fax and they will credit back my account. I went to my bank disputed the $396 and got that kicked back and closed my account. Needless to say they still never sent the $506 back like they claimed 5-7 days. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. They are scammers. They don't do anything they say they will. They are rude as well, even when I'm frustrated. I am calling every single day to get that $506 back in a check.

I am sitting here reading all of these negative reports about NBLA and can not believe my eyes & ears.  Do any of  you ever read the policy when it arrives??  First off- when their marketing staff calls you,... and you acknowledge that you want the policy,.... these agreements are recorded!  They ask you questions, you answer.  Then you say YES I want the policy.  Plus it states right on their website and in all of their materials that are sent to you that this is NOT major Medical!!  It is a membership plan that gives you discounts on lots of things, including hotels, roadside service, dental, identity theft, car purchasing discounts,...etc... etc.  A small portion of membership allows you to have acccess to a supplemental health policy. NOT MAJOR MEDICAL.  They then mail you your package- whcih you have 30 days to review and decide if this is fo you.  What has happened, is that none of you READ your policy and then when it does not pay for your exisiting health condition you get upset.  Most of you complain that you had a pre-existing condition and it did not cover it.  WHEN has even Major Medical covered pre-existing conditions??? Hardly ever!  When you receive your package, and have read it and find out it is not the right policy for you,.. you call and cancel.  It is that siimple. 

I hate that everyone that is unhappy finds the time to write about it.... and all of the happy people (who actually read their policy and know what it covers, etc.) are just too busy going along with their normal day to day business and are thankful and glad that they have this benefit package.

I purchased a policy and found that I did not need it any longer.  I called, they had me fax over a letter of cancellation.  I spoke with a very educated and well mannered man by the name of Chris and he immediately took care of it.  Done! Simple as that.  Everytime I called they were helpful, no matter who I got on the phone.  They all seemed like caring and educated people.  

I am sorry for anyone who ever had a bad experience, but maybe it is partially because you never really listened to or read what you were purchasing.... Don't always blame the other people.......