I am a former internal employee of Ameriplan and I worked in the corporate office in Plano, TX. I was in a high position with the company so I know all of the going ons and legal problems that they have had over the years.
I have read stories from both sides of the spectrum. Some people love the company and some people strongly dislike it. Here is my opinion.
Let me start by saying that Ameriplan is disguised as a Consumer Driven Health Plan to it's unknowing consumers. This is just a nice way of saying "discount plan" but in our industry the word "discount" has a negative connotation and we avoid it at all costs. This term is quite confusing to consumers who are misled many times into believing that they are signing up for an actual insurance plan.
Not only is Ameriplan's dental and medical plan a discount plan but the company itself is an MLM (multi level marketing company) which many people are unaware of. Ameriplan makes 95% of their money from unsuspecting IBO's who initially sign up for a $250.00 training and marketing packet and then pay an additional $35.00 a month to be an IBO (Independent Business Owner) and also pay a hefty amount to Ameriplan for leads generated for the IBO's. Ameriplan only makes a small portion of revenue comparatively speaking from people who actually sign up for their discounted dental and medical plans.
The medical and dental plans are just a front for Ameriplan to appear as a legitimate business. The company would not survive if they did not receive the monthly fees that they collect from their 50,000 plus IBO's and we all know that only the top 2-3% of the IBO's are making any substantial amount of money. Just like every MLM you must get in early to make any $.
Also, I can confirm that Ameriplan was sued by the state of Montana and suspended by the B.B.B. Because essentially they were charging their Ameriplan members a monthly fee for dental and medical plans but they were not providing an actual service because there were no providers in the entire state. No doctors= no service. Ameriplan settled with the state of Montana for around 200k-400k I was told by an executive.
Ameriplan would argue that they are not liable because they actually rented their network of physicians from Beechstreet Network and one other network, who's name I forget, and that they are responsible. Hence Ameriplan is in the process of dissolving their contract with them and suing them in return.
I would argue that it is Ameriplan's responsibility and moral obligation to insure and stop these types of problems before they occur. It is false representation to your members to say that you have a network of 30,000 physicians when in actuality you only have around 12,000 "in network providers" that accept your discounted plan. Ameriplan is also discontinuing membership in the following states because of the same problems: Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, Guam and possibly Maine, Iowa, Nebraska, and Idaho. So beware if you are an IBO in any of these states.
Also, for the IBO's that are out there. Ameriplan has started to recruit agents that are usually licensed to sell insurance plans to sell Ameriplan benefits. These agents have no monthly fees to sell the plans as you do and they make a hefty commision off of each plan that they sell. They are in direct competition with you guys.in my opinion they are undermining your work without your knowledge.
I have worked with Dennis & Daniel Bloom, Julia Baker, Doug Brooks, Laura W., Barry, and several others so I can support & attest to everything I have just told you.
If you would like to contact them:
Dennis & Daniel Bloom-Founders Julia Baker-President of Network Development & Provider RelationsDoug Brooks-Director IBO's & TrainingLaura W-Director of OperationsBarry-EX V.P., Agent RecruiterDerrick-Training and motivational speaker to new IBO's
Their emails are their first name, initial of their last name @ameriplan.com
If you would like any other information about the company or any advice then simply reply to this letter and I would be more than happy to help you out in any way that I can.
AnonymousMacon, Georgia
U.S.A.
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