Overview:
Smartchoice Healthcare aka National Association of Private Enterprise aka NAPE solicits health care savings plans via phone marketing. The plans target the self-employed and individuals with pre-existing conditions. They pressure people into paying them an upfront membership fee of $125 plus the first month's premium (ranging from $209.95 to $329.95 per month).
My Story:
When I was solicited on December 28, I was told that my membership would begin on January 15th. I was also told that I would have a 30-day review of the membership materials and I would receive these membership materials in 10-14 days. After this phone transaction, I received the membership materials 28 days later (on January 25th).
Upon reviewing the plan, I felt that it was a highly overpriced discount plan combined with a collection of junky accident insurance policies and a near worthless indemnity policy. Also, the plan had a limited network of providers in my area which did not meet my needs.
After having the membership materials in my hand for only one day, I promptly returned the materials along with a letter of cancellation. Luckily, the debits to my bank account stopped. However, I never received any refund.
I sent the company a letter to inquire about why I hadn't received a refund. A few days later, I received a phone message from Stuart at Smartchoice who explained that I was not entitled to any refund. He said that our initial transaction was recorded on December 28th and that they received my returned materials on January 30th, so I was not entitled to a refund.
So here's the catch: according to the membership materials, I could not cancel the membership without first having the materials to return neither could I cancel if I did not have the information about how to cancel or where to return the materials. According to their terms, they require that the entire membership packet is returned in order to receive a refund.
Here is their cancellation policy copied from their website:
Cancellation: Members may cancel their National Association of Private Enterprise membership at any time upon written notification to the company and return of all medical or pharmaceutical discount identification cards. Once again members must return their membership cards. The refund of membership dues in the first thirty days of membership shall be refunded if the above requirements are met.
In conclusion, this deceptive company did not want me to review the plan because they were counting on retaining my first month's premium. They led me to believe that I had a 30-day review of the materials from the start of my membership (January 15th); but when I asked for a refund, they told me that the review period started on the date of the initial phone sign-up transaction, not my membership start date. As a result, I was not given even one day to review the materials.
I have since written the company again asking for them to honor their money back guarantee. It is up to them to prove whether or not their operation is a scam. From what I have experienced, they have highly misrepresented themselves and are committing fraud.
Here is all the contact information I have for this company:
National Association of Private Enterprise: 1200 Golden Key Circle, Suite 331, El Paso, TX 79925
Smartchoice Healthcare: 1868 N. University Drive, Suite 301, Plantation, FL 33322
Known phone numbers: 1-800-719-1950,1-866-394-9993,1-866-458-4404,1-800-640-0784,1-866-320-9415,1-954-318-6565
Website: www.smartchoicehealthcare.net
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