This report is designed to warn other elderly folks and their care givers in the Ocala, Florida area concerning exploitative sales techniques performed by Andy at the Ocala United American Insurance office.
My mom-in-law needed a supplemental medicare plan to assist in paying the 20% that medicare would not cover for a particular medical procedure. She is under 65 and on disability so supplemental insurance was a particular problem due to her age. My insurance representative assisted me in locating 2 policies that would provide this coverage. One was United American and the other was Humana. My mom-in-law signed up for both.
After careful consideration of price, availability of doctors, and terms of use of each of the health care plans, she decided that the Humana was a better fit.
She called Andy at the United American office to cancel the United American policy. This is when the explotative and unethical practices began. He told her that if she cancelled the United American policy she would be "without insurance" and that it would take a "lawyer" to get her Medicare benefits back. He also told her that Humana was "illegally" offering her a policy she had no business signing up for because she was under 65. He then told her that Humana had been suspended from selling insurance in the Ocala area. He also, faxed to me consumer complaintss and Dow Jones newwire reports regarding negative information pertaining to Humana.
Needless to say this initiated unecessary fear and anxiety for my mother-in-law prompting me to put her directly in touch with my own Medical Insurance representative who successfully calmed her down and explained the facts regarding how Humana and her Medicare were govered and that at no time would she be without health insurance.
For everyone reading this, please be aware that Andy at the Ocala United American office should be avoided. He is misinformed regarding Humana and the plan my mom-in-law now has. His sales practices are unethical and misguided. Also, in the state of Florida it is illegal for a Health Insurance Representative to visit/talk to an elderly person regarding health insurance until that insurance representative has obtained a signed consent form from the elderly person. This law is designed to help protect the elderly from unwanted health care solicitation.
My next step following this is to contact the Consumer Protection Agency, Office of Financial Affairs at 877-693-5236. If, you, or anyone eldery you know, has been exploited in a similar fashion do not hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Affairs listed above.
To all the Andy's of the world - take care - you comeupance awaits...
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