If it sounds too good... Yes, I got one of those faxes for "health insurance" at a low cost and decided to investigate further by calling the number which turned out to be a "broker" for the "insurer."
I asked about the provider network (Beechstreet), why they could provide health insurance for so much less than others, and I expressed concerns about possible denial of benefits, etc. The agent ("Shelley") gave plausible answers to all my questions—and told me she had insurance with this company and was happy with it. She faxed me the forms to enroll.
After checking the network and finding that my doctors were in it, decided to enroll. Called Shelley back and she said the only way they do it is by automatic debit to my checking account. Against my better judgement, decided to give her the information on October 5, by phone.
I told her I had existing coverage for the remainder of the year, so that the immediately required first premium & enrolment fee needed to be applied to January. She assured me it would so be applied.
I received my policy booklet and ID cards about a month later, and the information in it described "isured benefits" more or less as I had expected.
It wasn't until I discovered early December that there was a second debit to my account by "pbc insurance" in November that I tried to call the customer service number of the National Alliance of Associations. After several attempts over 4 days and holding for "the next available agent" for as long as 37 minutes, I realized I was never going to get through.
So I decided to search the internet and found all the existing usacomplaints.com. I called Shelley and asked her if she knew the company was fraudulent and that I needed a refund. She assured me it was just an oversight and that I just needed to call Customer Service. When I told her I could never get through to them, she came up with "oh, yes, they are in New Jersey and there was a snow storm (there had been) — their lines a probably down for a few days." Always a good answer!
I sent the company a fax on Dec 6, requesting cancellation and a refund, per instructions in the policy book and on their website. As of today, have not received any communication from the company, while a further attempt had been made by "pbc insurance" to draw another premium on December 26. Fortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful, as I had closed my account as a precaution!
P.S. The company has recently added to their website www.naaus.org that "benefits are not available in... (list of states, including Florida).
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