HCCUA Too Good To Be True - Blatant Lies Boca Raton, Florida

Let me just start by saying if it sounds to good to be true, it is.  I consider myself to be a fairly well versed and educated man.  I have a degree in Biochemistry and have taken college courses in a vast number of other subject areas for personal enhancement.  My point to that introduction is that I didn't think I was vulnerable to being scammed but I was.  The gentleman I spoke with at HCCUA was smooth, comforting about my concerns of being uninsured and very comforting with assuring me that my pre-existing condition would be covered. 

I've had kidney stones for the past 8 months, been to the ER twice for them but was unable to get anything further than to beg for some kind of pain management.  I was diagnosed with Medullary Sponge Kidney Disease, and was informed there was no cure, only treatment of the symptoms and to adjust my dietary habits for future avoidance.  What caught my attention the most was in the very first voicemail I received from the "salesperson" that highlighted "Your pre-existing condition is absolutely covered." 

I returned his call and it was the same story.  He asked about my medical history and knew very well that my most recent visit was in September 2011, just 4 months before our phone conversation.  He also emphasized that the plan was not a discount health plan and that it was "legitimate health coverage."  He did everything he could to keep me from going to the website to view the full explanation of benefits.  I found a condensed version of the benefits as we were chatting. 

It seemed fair, of course being only a few of the benefits that weren't the most important "coverages" of the "healthcare plan."  So I gave my credit card info and was informed that $169.95 monthly premium would be charged plus a $100 enrollment fee on Feb 20th.  I get the member benefits kit on Feb 19th and immediately briefed it over.  The one thing that stood out the most was the "Pre-Existing Condition Clause"!  There is a 12 month waiting period for a pre-existing condition which he blatantly lied about during our phone conversation. 

He explained that the procedures would be covered at a certain amount, which I knew to not be covered at 100%, but he did not inform of the most important reason for wanting this so-called insurance which I now know to be merely a discount plan.  Another important detail omitted from our phone conversation was their maximum annual payable benefits.  He very strongly highlighted that there were no deductibles, only co-pays.  What he did not tell me was that $1000 was the maximum annual amount that any and all services would be "covered". 

Two very blatant lies, or omissions, whatever they will surely refer to it as, but very blatant lies about this "discount plan."  I have tried for 2 days to contact their customer service and get a message that it's outside of their normal business hours but the first call was actually 30 minutes before the close of their weekly business hours and I was unable to leave any sort of message.  I have not been able to request the refund yet but will make this my only goal in the following week or will have the entire amount charged back by my Visa card company.  I am forwarding a copy of this e-mail alongside a letter to the State Attorneys General of Florida.  Buyer Beware!