Stories of Brokers making a difference
As the owner of a small business, I am very concerned about the impact of PPACA on our employees. We only have nine employees, and the economic downturn has had a tremendous impact on our business and our employees' personal lives. The husband of one of our employees was out of work for 12 months, and we were about to provide him coverage through our company. We have always been about to provide coverage for our employees and their families, no matter what the circumstances might be. Through our agent, we recently found coverage that costs considerably less that our previous coverage.
Bill had been covered under one or another form of Medicare Part C since he'd turned 65, but they had just un-enrolled him for nonpayment. Without his Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug coverage plan, how could he pay for his medications? Bill's income from Social Security was small, and he supplemented it with a few extra dollars he got from running odd jobs. Bill explained that he had gone to the insurance company and paid his back premiums, but that they didn't reinstate him. The broker listened carefully to Bill. He could tell that Bill, while still spry, was affected by diminished capacity. The broker explained that Bill still had Medicare coverage but the Medicare Advantage plan had been canceled. Though the company doesn't participate with brokers, the broker would make a couple of calls to see what might be done. After calling the insurance company, Medicare and Social Security, the broker sent an email to the head of the state SHIP office. Later one of the SHIP consultants called and the broker laid out the situation again. The consultant suggested a procedure to file a complaint and let them try to work it out. The broker did this and sent it to SHIP - fingers crossed. The SHIP consultant called back a week and a half later and informed the broker that the insurance company would reinstate Bill. The broker called to let Bill know, and lead him through the steps Bill would have to take to avoid this problem from ever happening again, by having the premiums withdrawn automatically from his Social Security check. The broker also helped Bill fill out an application for financial assistance from Social Security, which was approved and came in just after the notification of Bill's reactivation of his MAPD plan. Bill asked the broker what he owed him. The broker thanked Bill for the offer, but there just wasn't anything else he needed to do. As the broker shook his hand and wished him a good weekend, Bill's voice broke and his eyes welled up. Well, remarked the broker, maybe you might see if you could send over a referral every now and again. Fortified, Bill said he sure would, and left with a big smile.
I am 61 years old, fairly active and healthy but earlier uninsured. When an injury caused my hip to need replacing the nightmare began. Trying to deal with hospitals, doctors, anesthesiologists became a daily frustration. My husband was the negotiator but as good as he is the costs were unbelievable. For example, the surgery room alone cost $47,000, not including doctors, meds, x-rays, tests and lots more. We thought our only choice was to go to Costa Rica. One day my husband ran into another jogger who just happened to be an insurance agent. After hearing about our situation, the pain, the negotiations, the phone calls, the agent suggested Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Care—catastrophic policy that caps out at $25,000 a year for two years and they handle all the negotiating. We were amazed at how beneficial this policy was and still is. Not only did insurance pay a good portion of all the expenses including aftercare but some of my prescription meds were free or discounted a lot. It's been 9 weeks since my surgery, I'm recovering and now we have insurance for my husband also. My husband running into that agent was lucky for us he knew what he was talking about and Governor Charlie Crist made it possible with Cover Florida.
Read hundreds of personal stories about how brokers make a difference. For decades, professionally licensed benefit specialists have delivered valuable services to individuals and employers by obtaining the best prices for coverage that best fits the client’s needs. Licensed health insurance specialists design benefit plans, explain coordination issues of public and private benefits to individuals/employees, and solve problems that may occur once coverage is in place.
Brokers Making A Difference - Real Life Testimonials (PDF)
—Judy Guidotti (NV)
Bill had been covered under one or another form of Medicare Part C since he'd turned 65, but they had just un-enrolled him for nonpayment. Without his Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug coverage plan, how could he pay for his medications? Bill's income from Social Security was small, and he supplemented it with a few extra dollars he got from running odd jobs. Bill explained that he had gone to the insurance company and paid his back premiums, but that they didn't reinstate him. The broker listened carefully to Bill. He could tell that Bill, while still spry, was affected by diminished capacity. The broker explained that Bill still had Medicare coverage but the Medicare Advantage plan had been canceled. Though the company doesn't participate with brokers, the broker would make a couple of calls to see what might be done. After calling the insurance company, Medicare and Social Security, the broker sent an email to the head of the state SHIP office. Later one of the SHIP consultants called and the broker laid out the situation again. The consultant suggested a procedure to file a complaint and let them try to work it out. The broker did this and sent it to SHIP - fingers crossed. The SHIP consultant called back a week and a half later and informed the broker that the insurance company would reinstate Bill. The broker called to let Bill know, and lead him through the steps Bill would have to take to avoid this problem from ever happening again, by having the premiums withdrawn automatically from his Social Security check. The broker also helped Bill fill out an application for financial assistance from Social Security, which was approved and came in just after the notification of Bill's reactivation of his MAPD plan. Bill asked the broker what he owed him. The broker thanked Bill for the offer, but there just wasn't anything else he needed to do. As the broker shook his hand and wished him a good weekend, Bill's voice broke and his eyes welled up. Well, remarked the broker, maybe you might see if you could send over a referral every now and again. Fortified, Bill said he sure would, and left with a big smile.
—R. Allan Jensen (CO)
I am 61 years old, fairly active and healthy but earlier uninsured. When an injury caused my hip to need replacing the nightmare began. Trying to deal with hospitals, doctors, anesthesiologists became a daily frustration. My husband was the negotiator but as good as he is the costs were unbelievable. For example, the surgery room alone cost $47,000, not including doctors, meds, x-rays, tests and lots more. We thought our only choice was to go to Costa Rica. One day my husband ran into another jogger who just happened to be an insurance agent. After hearing about our situation, the pain, the negotiations, the phone calls, the agent suggested Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Care—catastrophic policy that caps out at $25,000 a year for two years and they handle all the negotiating. We were amazed at how beneficial this policy was and still is. Not only did insurance pay a good portion of all the expenses including aftercare but some of my prescription meds were free or discounted a lot. It's been 9 weeks since my surgery, I'm recovering and now we have insurance for my husband also. My husband running into that agent was lucky for us he knew what he was talking about and Governor Charlie Crist made it possible with Cover Florida.
—Pat (FL)
Read hundreds of personal stories about how brokers make a difference. For decades, professionally licensed benefit specialists have delivered valuable services to individuals and employers by obtaining the best prices for coverage that best fits the client’s needs. Licensed health insurance specialists design benefit plans, explain coordination issues of public and private benefits to individuals/employees, and solve problems that may occur once coverage is in place.
Brokers Making A Difference - Real Life Testimonials (PDF)