Complaint Review: Select Care Benefits Network - Austin Texas

In early 2007 I had filled out an online application for prescription assistance and was soon contacted by a representative from Select Care Benefits Network. In fact, I believe I was contacted the same day I had done the online application. That's how eager they are to get you to join and take your money. I gave the information over the phone but was unable to provide income information since I was unemployed and not receiving any benefits.

At the time I had asked a friend if I could use his credit card since the representative was so eager to get me started and get my money. I explained that I did not have a checking account or credit card nor did I have the money and he asked if anyone would be willing to let me use their credit card. I had a friend to do that and was told it would be a one-time debit and I would have to get it updated after I returned my packet that they sent me, signed by myself and my physician. Once I returned the packet, signed by myself and my physician, then they would review it and see if I would qualify. I never sent the packet back. I just took the loss of $80.00 that I had paid the first time since I am responsible for that.

Well, I never returned the packet since I decided that I did not need their services after waiting so long for my doctor to return it to me signed and completed. I had actually found my drugs cheapter at Walmart. I was unaware what would happen over a year later. My friend realized that he had a debit coming out of his credit card, he never checks his statements. I never received prescriptions thru this company either.

I googled the company that was debiting his account and this is where I discovered that Select Care Benefits Network had been debiting his account all this time for over a year now. No one from the company ever contacted me to update my application, like it clearly states on their website that this would be done every three months.

When I called to get this resolved I was greeted with a "scripted" response from the representative and they were unwilling to assist me in any way. Not even an apology. They even noticed that I had been paying but was never receiving medications. I was told that they are an advocacy program and they do not send out the medications. They are just advocates for the pharmaceutical companies I guess. I was belittled and patronized. I tried to be professional but I soon got over that after the treatment I received. I was never so angry at anyone over the phone before. This is the worst customer service experience I had ever encountered. And from reading other complaints about this company, the complaints were similar.

I then spoke with a supervisor who was even worse and, I might add, very "scripted" also. There was no offer to assist, no willingness to admit a mistake, and in no way were they going to give me a penny back. Nothing was offered except a kick in the bum.

That day I filed a report with the Better Business Bureau and since then they have denied the claim and will not take responsibility. I am rebutting the claim and will fight til the end. No matter how far I will have to go because this is not right to do. At least they could offer to give my my medications that I was paying for for over a year now and never received. NOTHING!!!

I am in no way against this type of program for people who cannot affort their prescriptions. I think this is a great thing for consumers. But consumers be weary.

Just an FYI, there have been over 95 complaints with the Better Business Bureau in 36 months as of 3/5/2008 per the BBB website about Select Care Benefits Network.

Sandra_2311

Springfield, Illinois

U.S.A.