American Healthcare Plans, Inc Tim Johnson Misrepresentation of product and failure to refund when cancelled Ft Lauderdale, Florida

March, 2011 contacted by Tim Johnson, direct line 954-514-9287, and associated numbers 954-779-6091, 877-209-0065,877-509-8366.  When you call these numbers they answer Health Enrollment Center, later found out they are registered as American Healthcare Plans, Inc and E Healthcare, individuals listed with BBB & other agencies are Steven Dorfman, Rod Marks, Spiegel & Utrera, P.A.  Current address is in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

After discussing underwriting information was told that he had a Medical Savings Plan which was to be a PPO, no deductible, no copay, no waiting period.  Covers doctors visits, diagnostics, include a prescription card, free vision & dental, medical, surgical at 70/30 coinsurance for doctors visits.  The example he gave was a $100 doctor bill would be $30 for me.  The premium would be $198 with a 5 year price lock and there would be a $99 enrollment fee.  Specifically I asked if this was a discount plan and was told that it is not, asked whether there was any problem with getting it in Oregon and moving to Arizona was told no problem, asking if he was licensed in both states was told yes.  Was told that I could review it and cancel within 30 days for a refund.  The plan name Optum Health, an A rated company.  When asking about a website was given Multiplan.com to look at the providers that accept this plan.  After signing up and stating a 4-1-11 effective date I found a $297 payment auto deducted on March 24.

Later found no registration with FL BBB for Health Enrollment Center, other two names have "F" and 17 combined complaints (16/1) with no response from Jan-May 2011.  

Mid April got plan info comes from Partners In Health Care/Tri-Resource Corp/Allied Veterans Advisors in Wisconsin, phone #920-968-0574 & 866-779-0054 but goes through yet other companies Heathcare Mediation & others not named.  Found it is a Health Care Mediation Plan, discounts range from 20-60%.

On 4-21-11 cancelled the plan with H.E.C. as what was sold to me was not what I received, have not received a refund.  Several attempts to in May 2011 to check the status of refund.  Sharon (got her 3 times in a row) on the first call said she would research & call me;2nd time that I was eligible but would have Alan call me as she did not know why it hadn't been issued;3rd time after asking all the info again said it looks like I am eligible for a refund, but did not see anything on the computer showing a refund issued.  Finally saying either I was eligible or not and she could not help me & she was going to hang up.  To her credit, she did not hang up on me.  Asked the name of the owner, Alan, she wouldn't tell me even though I said I could find it online (go ahead).

Tried to get help from Partners in Health Care, while they seemed to be helpful and empathatic, even finally receiving a phone call from the President Gary Kieper after 3 requests and an email to him advising I was going to file complaints and would have to mention his company also as all the paperwork came from him including the written provision for refund.  He said he would look into and get back to me that Friday (talked to him Wednesday 6-1-11).  Didn't call me.

Have filed a complaint with Florida Dept of Financial Serv 1-850-413-3261 and filing complaints with Oregon Insurance Commissioner (this type of product requires licensing in Oregon) and with every other agency that will take it.

Found there are a lot of people who have been having problems, however they had not listed complaints under the phone numbers or name that I was given so when doing a search couldn't find any problems.

Advise all who have a problem to report to as many agencies as you can & post online to warn others.