I signed on to be an IBO with Ameriplan to check it out and see if it could be a lucrative business. I mainly wanted to see how the company worked and what was involved.
The idea of helping people with skyrocketing medical costs was appealing to me. To help others seemed like a noble and rewarding venture. (However read on)
I received the welcome package and the list of providers in my area and all the initial brochures and etc. But before signing up anyone I thought it would be a good idea to call these providers and see if they actually did accept the Ameriplan card. This is what I found.
The very first provider I called told me that they did NOT accept the card, that futhermore they had contacted Ameriplan and told them they were not signing any contract and why did they have them listed as a provider.
Up goes a red flag immediately, so I research further. I continue to call other listed providers and found that some phone numbers were disconnected, some numbers were private citizens phone numbers, and one number was a recording all in Spanish.
It is beginning not to look very good, so I continue to call. I called and finally did get a provider who did take the discount card, and we began to compare the actual savings using the discount card. (Not good)
According to the Ameriplan Lime Fee schedule for that zip code, the average oral exam was $70, but the providers fee was $42, so the savings was a big fat $0. The provider also stated they were NOT going to raise their prices just to show the people who had discount cards were getting a big discount.
We also discussed the average dental work people had done annually, and how much they would save using the discount card. The plain and simple answer is they would not save a dime, for regular routine visits, as a matter of fact they would be losing money.
It goes from bad to worse. Since Ameriplan has been banned in Montana for 2 years, I thought I would explore that and see why. Each person can check it out at http://sao. Mt. Gov and draw their own conclusions. The one thing that really caught my eye was that the IBO was listed in the legal action along with Ameriplan.
This in mind, I contacted some attorneys and asked them some questions about having your own business and the legal ramifications of having a business. This is what I found out, if your business is not listed as a LLC, Co or Corp or some legal documents stating that your business and personal life is separate, then not only can litigation be filed against you as a business but they can file litigation against you personally as well. (Wow, that is definately a show stopper)
Since Montana was having problems, I suspected other states might be having problems as well, I was right, it seems that the medical discount card industry could be in trouble. I am not a listen to me kind of person, I invite, I even strongly suggest that you take nobodys word on any of this, but check it out for yourselves and see what is going on.
There are many states that are trying to pass legislation on the medical discount card industry. People need to check this out to see how it would impact them if they are doing this kind of business, or thinking about doing this kind of business.
There are some providers out there (I know I spoke to them) that are offering a 25% discount across the board even if you have no insurance or any kind of discount card. Someone tell me why would you pay any kind of monthly payment for discounted services if the doctors are offering a 25% discount for FREE.
If you are in a business, somewhere integrity, has to be an utmost part of the business. When I first started doing this, the biggest thing that impressed me was Ameriplan was a member of the Better Business Bureau. However, since then, on 12 February the Better Business Bureau has revoked Ameriplan's membership. I know, I printed off a copy of the report.
I did not receive even one e-mail, one phone call or any correspondence whatsoever telling me that Ameriplan's membership in the BBB had been revoked from the up-line people. I found it out on my own.
Listen folks, that is a crucial bit of information, especially if you are out talking to prospective clients, and telling them this company is this and that, and a member of the BBB, and then that client finds out they are NOT a member of the BBB and they find out their membership was revoked, how is that going to make YOU look. (Think about that)
I have a friend who has sold insurance for almost 40 years and he told me this, anytime you sell a product or a service to the public, it is your name and reputation on the line, not the company you are with. If it turns out good or bad, you are the one the people will remember. (That sounds like great advice to me)
So to anyone thinking about getting into a business of this type or any other, please do one thing, take nobody's word on it and do an in depth research on what you are getting into. Just like my friend told me, its your name and reputation on the line.
Thanks
GregCampton, Kentucky
U.S.A.
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