The Health Care Blog: HEALTH PLANS: Mega Life and Health -- Time to call AHIP, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and BlackStone out

THCB UPDATE Get email updates of new posts and industry news.

July 31, 2007

HEALTH PLANS: Mega Life and Health -- Time to call AHIP, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and BlackStone out

I spent a little time last year on the issue of Mega Life and Health. There's only one term for this company, and what's really frightening is that it's a major player in AHIP. If AHIP is ever going to get itself out of the self-serving position it's in and transition to being an organization of responsible private health plans that can have a reasonable conversation about the positive role health plans can play , the plans who could live in a future of community rating need to leave, or jettison the scumbags like Mega.

What's the activity I'm so upset about?

Mega Life and Health sells health insurance door to door to poor to middle and low income working people. They claim that they are selling a product which their customers understand. But the point their customers clearly do not understand is that the insurance has severe limits on what it pays, especially what it pays per day in cases of expensive care. So if a policyholder gets sick and needs hospital care, Mega only pays out a fraction of what the hospital charges, leaving the poor sucker patient on the hook for the rest. Last year the California Supreme Court ruled that this con, like all the best cons, is legal. And this type of policy continues to be sold (more or less legally) in most states.

Over at Colorado Health Insurance Insider I found this tale of woe of an electrician earning $40,000 a year with no benefits who joined Mega's front organization the National Association for the Self-Employed after being sold a bill of goods by a commissioned sales rep. His son had cancer and ran up bills of $500,000 of which Mega paid out $45,000. It's not completely clear from the story at which point Mega cut them off, but if the story from the couple who sued in the California Supreme Court is an indication, what probably happened is that the policy had a maximum per diem payment of less than 10% of what was actually billed. And now bankruptcy and poverty awaits.

Mega has already dealt with class action suits because it's been selling policies through a front organization that many states find illegal. More importantly it has been selling these policies using a network of barely-trained door to door agents. For example as reported in the Mobile Register (AL) several former employees show that the company had no ethics and hid what it was doing from its customers.

None of the three former Mega agents -- Chaney, Aplin and Parrish -- had insurance sales experience before joining the company. Each said they left the company after they learned more about other health insurance policies. "The training was how to close a deal. It wasn't about the nuts and bolts of insurance," 33-year-old Aplin said. Chaney, 29, said he worked for Mega about four months before he saw another insurance company's policy and began to believe he was selling incomplete coverage. Salespeople "don't even talk about the insurance," he said. "You talk about the NASE and then you get them and you go. "I didn't know that the insurance was linked to the NASE," Chaney said. Parrish said the experience has been hard for her personally. "I wish I would have had sense enough or the insight enough to have researched it before I got into it," said Parrish, who said she checked with the Better Business Bureau and Alabama Department of Insurance but did not detect any warning signs. <SNIP> In the beginning, she said, she thought it strange that she would be sent to pursue potential clients in areas an hour's drive from home while other agents were assigned to Dothan. She said she found it odd that her paychecks came from her district manager's personal account rather than from the company. Parrish said she also wondered why her questions at staff meetings seemed to her to go unanswered and why agents were not supposed to leave promotional materials in the homes of people who did not buy a policy. Mega agents she knew were not supposed to use insurance terms, but to sell the benefits of NASE membership and its preferred providers, she said. Now she believes, they were "giving those people false security."

Does anyone believe that these sales people clearly communicated the exact nature of the policies they were selling, and exactly how much it would cover of a share of a severe illness? And yet, this is the type of activity that both the Shaddeg bill and the push towards unregulated individual insurance -- promoted by the Bush Administration and many others on the free-marketeer right -- will encourage. We also know that it's similar to the activity that many managed care plans are using selling Medicare Advantage plans (or at least were until thy voluntarily agreed to desist earlier this year).

I've also been told by someone who knows a little more about Mega that some 30% of revenue goes to the commissioned sales agents and that the medical loss ratios for the insurance plan is below 30%! Even Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks that MLRs shouldn't drop below 85%!

So what if anything can be done about this? Mega Life and Health is now not only the poster child for all that's wrong with health insurance--it's squarely in the mainstream. Why do I say that?

Well it's time to connect the dots.

Take a look at the governing body of AHIP, the health plans' trade association. William J. Dewed, the Chairman, President & CEO of Health Markets, which owns Mega Life and Health, is on the board. HealthMarkets is right there next to people like Mark Ganz from Regence, Scott Armstrong from Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Charles Baker from Harvard Pilgrim, not to mention CEOs of several other big non-profit Blues and George Halverson from Kaiser. And of course Angela Braly and Jeannine Rivet, representatives of what we hope might be new guards at Well point and United, are there too.

Now several people may be ready to say "a pox on all their houses" and believe that no good at all can come from private insurance companies. But many of those health plans are supporting, in name at least, reform efforts in which companies like Mega Life and Health would be barred from selling these type of policy. Furthermore, it's in the best interest of those larger organizations to have a serious conversation about the practical help that health plans can bring to a reformed health care market. Many of those organizations have decent proposals and something to offer. Mega clearly does not.

So step one in cleaning up their act would be for those insurers to either jettison their scumbag colleagues from AHIP, or to leave themselves.

Step two is not AHIP's to make. It is though equally important.

Who owns Health markets? Like many companies it's owned by "private equity". But in this case these are not just any private equity companies. The three owners are a) the biggest and now publicly traded private equity firm, Blackstone Partners, b) the most prestigious and most profitable investment bank, Goldman Sachs, and c) a unit of giant European investment bank Credit Suisse. While the owners and employees of these august organizations are making their mega-millions, it's about time that they paid some attention to what their "investment" is doing to the people it's supposedly serving.

These connections need to be made.

We're not talking fraudsters on the margins, we are talking about them being aided and abetted by the privileged sitting inside the gilded palace. And if those investment organizations can't bring themselves to change Health Markets out of shame, then perhaps some Democratic congressmen can help them.

This is a case where for their own good, these organizations should do the right thing.

July 31, 2007 in Health Plans | Permalink

Comments

You are making an effective argument for regulation.

We have to remember that a free market can only work if the information is approximately equal between buyer and seller. Needless to say markets are made by differences in the interpretation and quality of the information. If the playing field is not level, you do not have a free market, you have abusive practices. We should go after these people the same we go after price gougers in civil emergencies because they are unfairly profiting from an advantage not derived from natural market mechanisms.

Posted by: Dr. Dino | Jul 31, 2007 1:24:58 AM

I barely made to through Mega Life training about 5 months ago and quit before going on my first appointment. They taught us to deceive clients during training by saying to focus on the NASE benefits and not the health insurance. The quote from the manager was this:

"These policies tend to confuse a lot of people so just focus on the member benefits. When it come to the policy the important thing to tell them is they can design their own plan, but you don't want to get too wrapped up in details."

If you thought a time share sale was high pressure you ain't seen a Mega agent!

PS. As a note, they flat out lied to me during the interview telling them they provided leads. After training I got handed about 10 sheet of names to cold call. I spent about two hours on the phone before realizing these poor people had been calling many times before over several years.

Posted by: Paul | Jul 31, 2007 4:26:10 AM

Some would believe that the perfect free market solution would be for those people caught with essentially worthless insurance to simply file for bankruptcy, after all healthcare bankruptcy is at an "acceptable" level. The insurance company makes money (good for the economy) while caregivers and the insured foot the bills. Of course the free market will eventually weed out the "bad" insurers and balance will return. Yea, that's how it works.

Posted by: Peter | Aug 1, 2007 6:33:06 AM

Who is the regulatory agency for this health insurance? There is a license issued, isn't there? Who is responsible for issuing it?

Posted by: Barbara | Aug 9, 2007 9:14:24 AM

I have been offered a job from UGA a subsidiary of MEGA, I am getting the feeling that they have distracted me by flashing a high income and telling me they are honest. No one in my area has heard of them. I guess that should be my first clue...thanks for the warning

Posted by: Eric | Aug 13, 2007 10:53:09 PM

Yes, these investment houses are doing my work, aren't they doing a great job. I recruited them myself. Of course we don't care if you don't have Health Care It's just more money for what we spend it on, you know the HGA Fund, Hookers, Golf and Alcohol, of course some of us like boys too. Isn't America great! and to someone above, yeah, just try weeding out Goldman Sacks, and Blackstone, thanks for all your support ! and thanks to " W " too.

Posted by: the devil | Aug 25, 2007 1:53:24 AM

I am a real estate agent, naturally self-employed, I always carry health insurance, but always chose the wrong one. I did have Mega and now I got talked into(over the phone) Continental General Ins. For my husband and I it costs us about $750 a month. Does anyone know anything about this company, is it another Mega? We live in WV so not every company insures in our state.
I know houses and the real estate market, I don't know health insurance. Can anyone help me?

Posted by: Barbara Linthicum | Sep 3, 2007 6:31:07 AM

Research facts, not opinion.
MEGA is a VERY reputable company; they are rate A- by A.M. Best and you can also check them out on naic.org. Their complaint ratio is very low.

Posted by: John Moore | Sep 13, 2007 7:38:36 AM

John Moore? Email of abc@aol.com? Wow that's reputable and forthright. Any chance that there's a vested interest going on here? Oh, and of course, a rating from a credit agency is by far the best way to analyze the ethical behavior of an insurance company.

Posted by: Matthew Holt | Sep 13, 2007 1:57:34 PM

Show me someone who loves their insurance company and I will show you someone who has not used it. There are many factors that affect cost and coverage. Pharmachutical companies, doctors, hospitals, spiraling cost of care, immigration, and the lack of affordable insurance all contribute to the problem. Mega has attempted to provide coverage that is flexible so that anyone can afford care. You never hear about all the good things Mega does or the millions of dollars of claims it pays out each year, or the charitable work it does, or the thousands of customers that are happy with their coverage. It is unbelievable to me the venom that ex-agents have towards Mega. In almost every case, the agent blames the company and not their incompetence for their failure. Mega does everything it can to provide training to agents. It only takes a few bad apples to create negative press. Mega has policies that allows agents and customers to build plans. Brokers sell "cookie cutter" plans that they take no ownership of, and require no training other than reading a brochure. Mega agents are vested in the company and it is in their interest to have happy customers. If you look at the dates from the majority of negative information about Mega, you will see that they are not current. Mega has done everything possible to correct the problems that have existed in the past. No one spends more time on being compliant and ethical in their sales practices. There is a huge benefit for brokers and agents to try and discredit Mega, because of the competition they represent in the market. If a customer has a complaint with one company, the broker simply moves that customer to another plan. There is no loyalty or concern for the client. In the hands of a competent agent, Mega plans are an excellent choice. It all comes down to the personal integrity of the agent.

Posted by: Darryl | Sep 18, 2007 4:33:26 PM

John, Mega Life is A rated because they pay on their claims. Of course they pay their claims. Their coverage is so frieking limited that it is easy for them to pay their claims. $3000 for brain surgery?! Mega Life lures the unknowing in with low deductibles and office copays. What people don't know is that once the deductible is met there is basically nothing left of the policy.

Posted by: John | Sep 27, 2007 7:09:25 PM

I am an agent with Mega life and health in Colorado. The plans that are being referred to are a limited indemnity plan where the client chose his/her limits. This plan was sold as a "some insurance is better than no insurance" concept. The name of the plan was called "Health Choice" and is no longer available probably due to the problems it created if someone were to go over the limits they chose. It also offered a "safety net" rider whereby if you went over your limits then once the total hospitalization bill hit either 75000 or 100,000 (you as the client chose) then the plan took over 100% from there. You as the client choose your limits and you again choose to pick up the safety net rider. If you chose not to pick up the "safety net" then you had to sign off that you did not wish to carry this. There was no deception with this since you as the client (not the agent) are the one making the choice on your limits. This plan is no longer available and Mega now only offers plans with a coinsurance maximum out of pocket of 4000. However this does cost more and this leaves many people in the situation of not being able to afford any insurance at all. Also the NASE is not marketed as health insurance. It is simply a package of benefits for the self employed (that anyone can take advantage of)ranging from business to personal products. In Colorado you dont have to have any thing to do with either company to gain access to the other. Again there is no evil deception or conspiracy involved here. If there were, agencies like the state insurance commissioner would severely punish them and they wouldn't be around for very long. Health insurance is highly regulated as it is. In fact any health plan developed by any insurance company has to be approved by federal and state agencies before it can ever be sold to a client.

Posted by: rick | Oct 4, 2007 12:40:58 PM

Rick- you're not to bright are you. It seems that UGA has a strangle hold on your preception of what is and is not considered insurance. First I would like to comment on your $4000 dollar "maiximum" out of pocket expense. If you keep reading in that section, it says that it only pays up to the "maximum benefit." Which then leaves your client hanging out to dry, to pick up the rest of the tab. So lets take a look at what the maximum benefits are. Assistant surgeon-(At coinsurance level up to 20% of sergeons covered expenses). Wow, theres a benefit. Anesthesiologist-(At coinsurance level up to 50% of surgeons converd expenses.) Another dandy. My case and point, you are already mis-representing the policy in hand on a blog sight, and I would imagine that it is the same thing you say to your customers. You know why I know this? Because I use to work for these clowns for over a year, before I finally figured out that these insurance plans, are no more than a highly price indemnity plans and do nothing for the consumer except put them in the poor house. Every rider and or benefit has limits. Can't you freaking read. That is not insurance. But what do you care right? YOu like everyone else gets caught up in the web of lies that UGA and Mega spins, and on top of that you guys make a crap load of money on customers who don't know any better. That's sick and pathetic. I hope you wake up someday, and realize that you are messing with peoples lives, and potentially ruining them in the process. Get a clue about what your selling before you start defending your "great" company. And as far as them getting approved, any company that provides some sort of relief on medical costs can get licensed and approved through the federal gov. and state commissioners office. Watch t.v. sometime and see how many commercials there are with companies stating that they can insure someone for 80 bucks a month, and then label that insurance. All that is, are plans just like the crap you pedal, indemnities. So my advice is to get an education on your products, tell everyone you sit in front of, the limitations of each of your benefits, and then get back to me on how good your sales are. GOOD DAY.

Posted by: Kevin | Oct 16, 2007 12:11:31 PM

KEVIN,
THANKS FOR THE DIRECT, HONEST TRUTH OF THESE PATHETIC POLICIES. NASE, MEGA, NAPE, MIDWEST AND MANY OTHER ASSOCIATION STYLE POLICIES INTENSIONALLY MISLEAD THE CONSUMER AND ADVANCE COMMISSIONS TO THE SLIME AGENTS TO DO SO. THESE COMPANIES AND AGENTS GIVE OUR INDUSTRY A BAD REPUTATION.

Posted by: FRANK | Oct 30, 2007 8:54:54 AM

I have been a MEGA agent for a short period and currently have one foot out the door. I have been very successful and until recently was introduced to this very negative campaign. Currently, I am seeking another opportunity. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Posted by: Larry | Oct 31, 2007 4:09:06 PM

I have been an agent for Mega and NASE for 6 months. I present my plans clearly. There is no misreprsentation at all. I have never received a check from my manager's personal account or been pressured to sell NASE over the Mega Policy. I am not sure where you guys get this stuff. Yes it is hard. No one ever said it was easy to me. You are dealing with people's health insurance, a tough subject. Ithink it takes an ethecial person to present teh correct information, dont you?

On that note..... To clarify the comments about the Assistant surgeon and the Anesthesiologist. You forgot to mention that the primary surgeon is covered at coinsurance level selected (70% carrier responsibilty, 30% patient responsibility upto $4000 max OUT OF POCKET for the patient to $1Million / $5million max lifetime) The Secondary Surgeon is covered the same way. You forgot to mention the defenition of a covered expense. Do you know? I do! Also you forgot to comapare the Anesthesiologist and Assistant surgeon benefits to other individual policies. What do others in the industry cover? Also you for got to mention one major issue, REASONABILITY! Do the plans you carry have a reasonability clause? You know the answer to that don't you!? Do you explain that to your clients? I do! If you are going to site the Mega policy in your argument, you better include all the details, not just pieces that you can spin. Oh, by the way. Does your plan cover transplants at 100%.

The simple fact is that there are pros and cons to every insurance plan. If you explain the policy correctly to the customer and disclose everything and they still take the Mega Plan over what you offer, and the Mega Plan is so BAD, then what does that say about your plan.

Posted by: Mike | Nov 2, 2007 1:31:57 PM

Mike- Christ, you are the same as every other agent out there who represents MEGA. Answer me this, what good does a Reasonable charge do when you have limits on almost all of your benefits. Please explain that to me. Also, how many times do I need to explain that there is no such thing as a "true" $4000 out of pocket maximum with your plans. Keep reading in that paragraph where your $4000 dollar co-insurance maximum is, it says, and I quote, "up to the maximum benefit." Enough said. Do I need to argue this more or would you like me to type in every provision of the policy and point out that your 4000 co-ins. max doesn't exist beacuse of your limits.I still have copies of your great Care One Suite from when I use to represent your joke of a group. Your group, by far let me remind you, is the most complained about orginization in the U.S. Maybe that's why you had to change your name from UCIC to Healtmarkets. Of course your division managers will tell you that the reason for that, is Health Markets has such a nice catchy ring to it.
Hey moron, as far as your managers account and getting a check from that, where do you think Association Field Services comes from. All that is, is the name of your District, Regional, and Divisional managers business entity. And if you look at the top of the checks from your weekly advances, it says association field services. Mega funds the accounts of your district and divisonal magagers accounts so you can get paid. Did you think it actually came from UGA. If it came from UGA, it would say that on the check. Wow, your six months of expierence is really showing how well you know your company.
Other peoples policies in this industry, such as Assurant, Golden Rule, Humana, Guarntee Trust Life, have true 80-20 plans with a deductible. They don't need to cap stuff like you do. Pay your deductible, and co-insurance and your done. No limits. The reasonable charge won't even show it's face because these groups function with a PPO. Therefore, the prices are already negotiated. If you need proof of this, reply to this post with your e-mail and a fax number and I will prove all of this to you. I will even high light things for you since it's painfully obvious that you have a hard time comprehending what your reading. And yes, Transplants are coverd at 100% after the ded. and co-ins. I see on yours that you cover up to $250,000. Wow, tell someone that who needs a new heart or liver transplant, I bet they'll be lining up for your policy.
One more thing there chief. I noticed that you said you have been an agent for 6 months now. Wow, that's a long time. Let me ask you this, what did you do before this. I'm spit balling here, but I'm assuming that it had absolutly nothing to do with health insurance. Why don't you ask your district manager why you have such a high turn over rate, and why most people in your orginization have been there 2 years or less. I know, he'll tell you that everyone that quits wasn't a "go getter" and that if they couldn't hack it at UGA or Cornerstone. Someday you will figure this all out my friend, and I'm assuming that will happen once you get more than 6 months experience. And believe me kid, if you and I sat down in front a client, you would have no chance against me or my products with that crap you pedal. Not a chance in hell. As soon as I let a client know that most of your benefits have limit caps, it's all over. I'm guessing that in your "great" presentation you leave that part of it out. So what does it say about my plans, what it tells me is that your group preys on people with inexpierence and have know knowledge about what they are buying. Case and point. You have been doing this for six months and still don't know what the hell your talking about. So how are your clients going to know the difference.
Now that this debate is over, all of us are now dumber for having read your pointless blog. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul.

Posted by: Kevin | Nov 9, 2007 11:46:57 AM

I realize that some of the grammer and punctuation is wrong so don't bother ripping on me about that. I get in a zone with when I'm writing things on here. These agents piss me off, and I just type and type.

Posted by: Kevin | Nov 9, 2007 3:49:39 PM

In regards to the "A-" rating received by A.M. Best...

This rating speaks nothing about Mega being a reputable company. The rating only signifies how much money the company makes. Below is an exact quote taken from the Mega website on this subject.

"A.M. Best is an independent rating company that evaluates and rates insurance companies annually. The rating refers only to the overall financial status of the company and is not a recommendation of the specific provisions, rates or practices of the company."

https://www.megainsurance.com/portal/page/portal/HM_MEGA_PG/Public_About

Posted by: Aaron | Nov 16, 2007 1:46:42 PM

I fell for the MEGA scam! This agent promised me all these awesome benefits and when it came time to use them they have paid almost nothing. I used to have Assurant Health and I should have kept them. Their coverage was EXACTLY as they explained to me. The only reason I switched was because Assurant was a little pricey and Mike Hamilton, my agent for MEGA, fed me his whole line of crap on how MEGA was so great and covers all this stuff. I knew it was too good to be true, but for financial reasons I went against my better judgement and tried them. I learned my lesson the hard way! MEGA has all of these little loop holes in their coverage, and they like to talk in circles when you call them wanting to know why they aren't covering a single $! Why all of the money I'M PAYING doesn't go toward my deductable. Then, after you argue for a couple of hours with them they tell you that they'll recheck the claims. In others words, they just want to get you off of their back, but they still don't cover anything. One more thing my MEGA agent, MIKE HAMILTON, won't even return my calls.

Posted by: Amy | Nov 18, 2007 9:01:08 AM

I sold Mega health in the east coast for a few months. Don't do it any more. My experience with company was mixed but on balance negative. On the plus side, (1) my product training was thorough so I knew what I was selling, (2) division leaders spent much time on ethics and explaining state laws in staff meetings. BUT on the minus side, leads are phony. As someone else pointed out, many of the leads had already been called many times and/or had declined the insurance. More than a few said they were on "do not call" lists. I was also misled about the number of other Mega agents I would be competing with in my territory.

As for NASE, it's not a bad deal. Dues are low and you can make them pay for themselves fairly easy. You don't have to buy Mega insurance to belong to NASE.

As for my own personal health insurance, I bought Assurant.

Posted by: Jerry W | Nov 27, 2007 6:57:52 AM

Run, don't walk away from Mega. They have recently changed their name to try and escape all the negative press. Even People Magazine had a negative story on them.

I was a Mega rep, and can tell you first hand there are much better products out there. I am now a broker providing REAL health insurance. I can sleep at night knowing my clients have REAL health insurance.

The smart leave quickly. Some early success reps end up owing the company soooo much money they can't afford to leave. Oh, yea nobody has mentioned that as commissioned reps you get paid a 6 month commission. They charge interest on that money and when agents who finally figure out that the policies are trash, they can't afford to leave! So, the Golden Handcuffs can become in conflict with morals.

Run, don't walk away.........

Posted by: Phil | Nov 28, 2007 12:29:02 PM

I find this all very amazing, amusing and sad. My wife and I are currently Mega (UGA) agents, and have been for nearly 3 years. We're considered self employed and have been for 25 years. We used to run our own chimney repair and sweep business for 22 years. I'm 55, my wife is 53. We're college graduates, my degree is in Business, her's is in the health field. Maybe it's our age, or our work ethic, but we're doing OK. We properly represent our product, and take on average 2 hours explaining what's covered, and what's excluded. All plans MUST be approved by each state's commissioner of insurance in every state the plan is offered.

Low deductible group plans are becoming very rare, with a few exceptions, state, local and public employees, teachers, and some union plans. When someone leaves these 'special cover nearly everything plans' they're often 'shocked' at what they're asked to pay in COBRA premiums. Often $1200. to $1800. per month. They most often can't afford that premium, so they look for more affordable coverage. I'm often able to write a premium for about a third as much. They may have a $2500. deductible, then the plan may pay 70-80% until their 20-30% co-pay hits a 'stop gap' of $4000. Compare what I can offer, to their $14,000- $20,000. in annual premiums, or going without coverage, and risk losing EVERYTHING!

Regardless of what business a person chooses to enter, only 5-10% actually succeed. Being a self-employed insurance agent is no different. You've got to really work at it. In Jan. 2005, there were 13 in my new agents training class, my wife had 12 in her Feb. 2005 class. We're the only ones from our classes who stayed to make it work. Give Mega a call. If you have the desire, thick skin, work ethic, and some smarts maybe you can make it. I suspect that a few who posted above, either didn't give it the effort we did. They're probably the types who blame George Bush for everything too.

Posted by: JP | Nov 28, 2007 7:46:50 PM

They may have a $2500. deductible, then the plan may pay 70-80% until their 20-30% co-pay hits a 'stop gap' of $4000.

J.P. Once again, a perfect example of you mis-representing your company and your policies. Like I have said numerous times on this blog, keep reading after where it says $4000 co-insurance maximum. It says, up to the maximum benefit. You know what, I am going to type the entire "MEGA" definiton of coinsurance maximum so everyone here can read it and try and understand it. This is from the Care one and Care One Plus series

(Coinsurance Maximum $4000. "After the deductible is met and insured has paid covered expenses up to the coinsurance maximum, benefits pay at %100 after any copayment, UP TO THE MAXIMUM BENFEIT, IF ANY, for the remainder of that sickness or injury period of treatment for that insured.)

Now let me exlain the benefits: and we will pretend it's a 80-20 plan

Inpatient Hospital: coinsurance level
Outpatient Surgery: Same
Surgeon: Same
Second Surgical Option: same

Now here is where this maximum benefit crap kicks in:

Assistant Surgeon: At coinsurance level; UP TO 20% of surgeons covered expenses. So mega is only going to pay UP TO 20% of the surgeons covered expenses if an assistant surgeon is present. WOW THATS GREAT.

Anesthesiologist; Coinsurance level up to 50% of surgeons covered expenses. Same principle.

Ground Ambulance; Key word here "If admitted" they cover $500 bucks and you pick up the rest, or if your not admitted to the hospital for over 24 hours you pick up the entire bill.

For chemotherapy and radiation, MEGA chooses whether or not they approve of the type of chemo or radiation treatment you get. So if they approve of it, it is at the 80-20 coinsurance level. If not approved MEGA only pays $1500 bucks per day. And for those of you that know anything about either one of these, sometimes it's an experimental procedure, which I can guarantee you that MEGA won't approve of it, and it will cost more than $1500 bucks per day.

So the point of all this, is to show all of you reading this, that whether or not these great MEGA agents have been working there for 3 months or 3 years, they still are experts at decieving clients, regardless of how much they sit on these blogs and make claims that they tell everyone everything. BULL SHIT. And that pretty much sums it up. Like I have said before, these MEGA agents make a ton of money, which in my humbled opinion clouds their judgement, between doing what is right for the client, or what is going to put the most money in their pocket.

So what I find amusing, amazing, and sad is the simple fact that a 3 year veteran of UGA still doesn't have a freaking clue about the product he is selling. And J.P., I'm assuming the only reason you and your wife are the only 2 still selling this crap out of your class, is because the rest of your class, as I did, got a clue.
The funniest thing about all of these blogs, is that not once have I heard any of the existing agents defending this crap,say that they have a policy through MEGA. Isn't that ironic and just plain wierd. We sell it, not buy it. Please people, take my advice and stay the hell away from them.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 1, 2007 5:54:38 PM

BE CAREFUL POSTING HERE. EMAIL SECURITY IS NOT AS PROMISED.

Contrary to posted assurances that your emails are "not displayed with comment", they ARE DISPLAYED!

Just hold your cursor over your name - or anyone else's - at the bottom of a message and you will see it.

Posted by: Jerry W | Dec 1, 2007 8:21:25 PM

Does anyone know of a reputable Insurance Co. For a small business? We now have Mega, and have gone threw heart surgory, and have been left with Mega Bills.

Posted by: Jerry S | Dec 6, 2007 10:29:33 AM

Your level of hatred and the amount of bile that this guy Kevin puts out makes me question what he says. He surely sounds unbalanced because he doesn't seem to admit one positive thing about this company he rants about.

Since healthcare costs are high and people have to choose whether to buy insurance or not, isn't it acceptable for someone to choose a plan that is legal and has some benefits even if it does not have all the benefits of a fortune 100 type of group plan?

Of course, people should be informed about what the plan offers and does not offer before they make a commitment.

If all the agents for those companies (mid west and mega) were deceiving all of their customers, then their complaints would be much higher.

Frank admitted that he is also in the insurance industry - so he sounds like he is putting down his competition.

And Kevin sounds like a spurned lover or something. Someone who cannot point out even one positive thing seems unbelievable because they seem unbalanced.

You cannot make a responsible and logical decision about a company with thousands or hundreds of thousands of customers by using an anecdotal evidence.

Here's the definition of anecdotal:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/anecdotal
anecdotal evidence - "based on personal observation, case study reports, or random investigations rather than systematic scientific evaluation"

And when Kevin snidely says that someone is not reading the entire policy, how does he know exactly what policy the other writer was referring to? Is he sitting at his computer with all their current polices in front of him? He made it sound like this insurance company only has one policy or has the exact same language in every one of their policies. (Well...they may use the same exact wording for all I know, but it just seems unlikely.)

Hey, I'm checking them out just like everyone else here. But I seem to be reading more hatred than objectivity.

I prefer objectivity.

Posted by: Dan | Dec 12, 2007 10:46:07 PM

Dan, Thanks for the definition of anecdotal, but I attended 9th grade. And yes, I am sitting in front of my computer with all of the policies. Obviously you need the definition of comprehend, because I said I use to work for them, UGA, a branch of MEGA for 1 year and 3 months. When I left, in Feb. of 07 I took copies of all the plans that are sold in Wisconsin VIA MEGA. When I left these were the names of the 6 policies. Health Choice, Signature, Premiere PPO, Care one, Care One Plus, and Care One Value. I have copies of each of these plans and to my knowledge I believe that MEGA has come out with an H.S.A. plan that is going to be sold after the first of the year. For the most part, the language in each one is very similar. Obviously some are different than others, otherwise why would the policies have different names. The main difference between the 6 plans though, is the limitations. Some plans have more limits than others.

Since you have such a hard time believing what I am saying, why don't you go onto a MEGA website and fill in your information. Next, wait for the phone to ring, and set up an appointment with one of their agents. Now, don't buy anything, and demand a copy of that plan. I say “demand” because as agents we were instructed not to leave any information or copies of the plans with the clients. Then I want you to give a copy of the plan to someone who will be objective and thorough. Preferably someone who knows the independent health insurance market, and has been in the business for a few years, and see what they say about these great plans. That way you can see that I actually know what I am talking about. Or, if you really want to get educated on their plans and limits, buy the plan, and get sick or injured. You will get a front row seat about what I am talking about.

Here is a link for anyone to copy, and I want you to read it and let it sink in. These are what I mean by limits, and how their agents neglect to tell their customers.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\USA Today Mega.mht

Next, I don't know what "complaint" websites you are looking at, but MEGA is usually leading the pack. You point out that the complaint level would be much higher if what I am saying is true. The cold hard fact is, the majority of people refuse to complain or just don’t take the time to do it. For the most part they almost expect at some point to get screwed over by an insurance company. That's a sick and sad point to make, but it’s the truth. Another cold hard fact is, Major complaints, and I'm talking about ones that people have gotten a monetary settlement from, never reach the publics eye, because MEGA and or Health market’s, make people sign a form, “confidentiality” stating that if settled they can not go public with any information regarding that case.

Now if you think I'm spewing bile and preaching hatred, you are right. I can't stand dishonesty in my business and in health care. People in our country, are making house payments right now for their own health care. Then in the balance, they have to wonder if the coverage they are paying for is actually going to work for them when needed. Plans have gotten so complex, that you need an attorney present to understand the meaning of the language in them. But yet on here, MEGA defenders claim that they are explaining each and every provision of the plan. But don’t take my word for it. Good luck all.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 13, 2007 9:26:25 AM

Thanks Dan. I prefer objectivity too. Kevin has 'serious' anger management issues. Having learned them I better not elaborate any further. Wisconsin insurance law frowns upon attacking other companies, regarding it as an 'unfair competitive' practice. I too am from Wisconsin, just returning from the UGA annual meeting. I've learned his story.

One really has to read between the lines. Especially when hatred is 'spewn' from a KC from the 'very' liberal 'people's republic of Madison, Wisconsin. Liberals commonly resort to personal attacks. I don't drink the water when I visit Madison for that reason.

For instance, with 'complaint ratios'. It needs to be pointed out that complaint ratios are linked to millions of dollars in premiums collected. If a company such as Mega charges (for example purposes) charges one third the premium yet has twice the complaints of another company, they are doing considerably better per policy written. 50% better.

Pick any company out there, even companies that Mr. C. represents. There is always room for improvement. It's the same in other industries too. Some swear 'at' Fords, some swear 'on them'.

Kevin's state (Wisconsin) has a very consumer orientated Commissioner of Insurance. This is a very heavily regulated state, and Mega would not be allowed to do business here. They've got too much to lose.

Merry Christmas to all. Good night.

Posted by: JP | Dec 25, 2007 1:54:56 PM

J.P.

So now automatically, I'm a liberal. J.P. I would suggest on getting your facts straight before you start making accusations you can't back up.

As far as Wisconsin being so "heavily regualted", I guess you have not heard that Wisconsins commissioner was just let go recently, because of him not enforcing illegal kickbacks. Now there's a commissioner we can trust. If you need proof of this, just google Jorge Gomez, WI commissioner of insurance.

Now that you have alledgedly, "learned my story," what did Landall tell you? That I quit because your products suck. Or let me guess, they said, I just couldn't hack it or sell the products. I can sell the prodcuts I have now with no problems. Isn't that wierd. J.P. it's damn hard to sell a product that you wouldn't purchase yourself, or trust to sell to someone else. You, and all of your other clones may not have a problem selling that shit, but I do. The question I have for you, is in the year and 3 months I was working for the Madison office, why is it we went through almost 70 agents in that amount of time? And do you know how many of the agents, including the ones who are still working there, had any insurance experience prior to working at UGA..... Only 1. And his experience was with All State with Homeowners, property casualty, auto, etc. Why is that. Why is it that UGA preys on inexperience to sell it's products? Is it because that any agent with any knowledge of the health insurance industry would laugh at your products. I THINK SO. Please people, if any of you are able to get a hold of a copy of one of there plans, take it to someone who can help you break it down and understand it, and see what they would tell you about it.

Now we, can go back and forth on this blog for days. You will defend it, I will tear it to shreds. Anythime you want to sit in front of a client with me, you and I can let the client be the judge. You will have your products, and I have mine. We will see who is being "objective" then. Yes, that's right. I'm calling you out.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 7:51:32 AM

J.P.

So now automatically, I'm a liberal. J.P. I would suggest on getting your facts straight before you start making accusations you can't back up.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 7:51:37 AM

Two more points I would like to make.

#1. Not one of the MEGA agents on here have said that they too have a MEGA policy.

#2. The only people on here defending the products, are in fact the MEGA agents, not the clients.

Conflict of interest I would say. Those are two reasons enough for anyone to stay away from MEGA.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 8:30:30 AM

Sorry J.P. something else is still festering with me right now. You claim that "Liberals" are the ones who attack someone personally. Do you need to re-read your first paragraph again as to what you said about me? Your only way to discredit me so far, has been to attack me personally about "stories", and to attack me politically. Neither one of which you can back up with any sort of facts. Am I a liberal. Nope. Do I like Bush. Hell No. Do I have anger management issues? Just because I can't stand MEGA's insurance products doesn't constitute anger management issues. And as I pointed out to you in the e-mail I sent, now that I know who you are, if you attack me again in any personal manner, I will make sure that my attorney contacts you promptly. A debate about a product is no reason for someone to begin attacking another on a personal level. But I guess that speaks volumes about the people that sell MEGA's products. You guys are class acts. What's really sad, is I have a 56 year old trying to rip on me. Get a life.

Oh yeah I almost forgot. If you haven't noticed, the conservatives, have not done a real good job the last 8 years.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 10:54:52 AM

Um, it seems as if we're getting off track here. As a health agent from a diferent company, I would like to know if there is a way for "Kevin" to give us some examples of situations where a client has been "duped" by MEGA? As "JP" points out, there is always room for improvement. But there is a HUGE difference between improvement and overhaul of a company's faults. I'm not sure I understand the "anger management" accusations being thwrown out here, it seems as if "Kevin" is tyring to warn potential consumers because he truly believes that MEGA is scamming them. Also, what else is so confusing, is if the insurance regulations are so strict, then how can a company such as MEGA operate in some states? It is not a well known company in my state.

Posted by: Doug | Dec 26, 2007 11:45:09 AM

I've been reading up on the MEGA company and other sites have been syaing things like "MEGA (or NASE) only covers 'usual and customary) fees that are deemed 'usual and customary' by the company. In other words, if your physician charges $900 for a procedure, and NASE says the usual and customary fee is $200, that's all they are going to pay. You're stuck paying your deductible AND the $700 difference. Also, the MEGA plans do not cover anything pregnancy and childbirth related."

One couple reported getting a $40,000 bill after a complicated delivery that resulted in an emergency c-section and a stay in the NICU.

I did read in another place that hospitalization related to pregnancy was covered if you purchased a rider, and covered at 80/20, but up to the usual and customary fee which was about 40% of the actual cost, so that couple had a $5,000 bill plus their decuctible. The second couple still paid a $460 month premium. At $800 a month, they could have had a plan that covered 100% of the bill.

Posted by: doug | Dec 26, 2007 12:44:02 PM

If anyone needs more info, go onto RIP OFF REPORT and type in MEGA health insurance.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 12:53:22 PM

Hey Doug, thanks for your civility. Usual and customary is what is the usual fee charged in say a geographic area, the 'going rate'. There are sometimes in an area a hospital with all private rooms, with extra services beyond the 'norm'. I have yet to see such a discrepancy where a usual and customary fee varies by such a huge difference. The optimum plan would cover 'regular' charges, basically 'rack' rates. (A little hotel lingo, for the maximum undiscounted rate.)You can purchase a maternity rider, they're hardly a bargain (with any company) as the actuaries pretty well figure that you're PLANNING to utilize it. Even if you don't choose the maternity rider, complications of pregnancy are covered, and the child is covered at moment of birth. Having 7 children for me it paid off.

Oh yeah. I have a Mega plan. Actually was a very satisfied client, because it covered me on and off the job. I owned a very large chimney service company. It was prohibitive to put work comp on myself at that time as the rate was roughly $20. per $100. of payroll for coverage! Coverage for the self-employed is where Mega really shines. Most plans do not cover you on the job if say a spouse is self employed. If you look at a plan look for the phrase 'if workman's compensation is available'. The get out clause is 'if available' as work comp is always 'available' the choice was to NOT take it out.

As a side note I'm 55. I was recruited out of college by my insurance instructor (top of my class) in 1973. Back then I sold for American United Life and Health Insurance Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Why I like it here is that I write/book my own schedule, as I dislike 'playing office'. I get to meet with many self-employed people, and can relate to their situation. I love what I do, and have not been brain washed.

Kevin, and your lady friend. Would you please stop sending me up to 5 emails an hour. You are also multi-repeats on this blog thread too which is irritating to others, and doesn't advance your cause. I do have a few liberal friends...really. And yes, I am a conservative, and yes I lost the last Assembly race big time (out spent 12-1). But in 2004 I did run against a 14 year RINO incumbent and got 36.1% of the vote in the GOP primary (that time outspent 5-1) a very remarkable showing by any standard.

PS: Lithium carbonate.

Posted by: JP | Dec 26, 2007 2:39:32 PM

Well well well, J.P. is back again with guns a blazing.....

My being on this web site and my numerous blogs holds no weight to what you have accomplished, my ignorant friend. I typed your name into google. Numerous links (blogs) have your name attached to them with you spewing your pathetic "conservative" and often ignorant opinions. I would say close to 20 in the past couple of years. I would hate to break this to you, but your opinion, is just that, your opinion. You can't use your opinion to support your own conclusions. You seldom defend your point with any type of evidence or fact. I would expect someone who was the "self proclaimed" number 1 rank in his insurance class to know that. I doubt that anyone here cares about you or your resume. They want facts. Is Mega a reputable and reliable company? Or is it is mostly a second rate catastrophic plan? I say the latter, and I have facts and reasons why. The only thing you use to refute those are personal attacks on me. And good one by the way, by claiming that you have a MEGA policy, on your 3rd blog. How convenient that is after I made that post about none of the agents on here have said that they have a MEGA policy. I sincerely hope that you don't develop any major medical problems while on the MEGA plan, or you just may be out thousands of dollars, or more.

SO PEOPLE, THIS IS MY LAST POST! THANK GOD, RIGHT? I don't have time to debate with clowns on a personal level who simply refuse to provide me with the evidence to disprove what I've been saying.

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE ON THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THEN YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE FOR YOURSELF. DO YOU WANT TO BELIEVE J.P. A CURRENT MEGA AGENT, OR KEVIN, THE GUY WHO QUIT SELLING FOR THEM BECAUSE HE KNEW THE PRODUCTS WERE JUNK. DON'T LET ME, OR ESPECIALLY J.P. INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION. LET THE FACTS DO THE TALKING. CHECK OUT RIP OFF REPORT. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THINGS LIKE THAT. AFTER ALL, JP IS STILL A SALESMAN FOR MEGA.

http://attorneypages.com/hot/mega-low-better-business-bureau-rating.htm

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 26, 2007 6:50:02 PM

I did go and check this out. I also did some other digging around and there are close to 20 states in the US that have lawsuits and large class action lawsuits pending against MEGA, and also appears that some have been settled out of court for undisclosed amounts. That is NOT a good sign in my opinion. This is not a company that I plan to work for. I'm glad that I checked this out before I applied to this company.

Posted by: doug | Dec 27, 2007 6:59:06 AM

Here is a link to the national Better Business Bureau page that I found some information. Kevin and his friend JP may find this useful to settle some ruffled feathers.

http://www.fortworth.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=81050002

Customer Experience
Based on information in BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory file condition due to failure to correct the underlying cause of complaints.

Complaints processed by the BBB in its three-year reporting period concern selling practices, credit and billing disputes, refund practices and service issues. Specifically, complainants allege sales people misrepresented coverage. Other complainants allege the company did not pay claims in a timely manner. Others allege the company did not stop debit of premiums after policies were canceled and that refunds were not made in a timely manner.

Attorney General Martha Coakley filed an amended complaint in Suffolk Superior Court August 22, 2007, against MEGA Life and Health Insurance, Mid-West National Life Insurance, and their parent company; HealthMarkets, Inc., raising serious new allegations about unfair and deceptive trade practices. Specifically, the Attorney General's complaint alleges that the insurance companies violated state law by misrepresenting the provisions of their policies, failing to cover health benefits and services required by Massachusetts law, disclosing personal health information about insured consumers to third parties, and illegally requiring self-employed individuals and small businesses to pay fees to join associations to gain access to small group insurance. The Attorney General's action seeks to stop the alleged unlawful practices, to require that MEGA and Mid-West pay refunds and restitution to harmed Massachusetts residents and substantial civil penalties and costs to the state.

The complaint asserts that MEGA and Mid-West failed to comply with Massachusetts law by denying claims for benefits, such as maternity health care, "pap" test screening, contraceptive services, infertility treatment, mammography and preventive care for children up to age six. Similarly, health insurers cannot exclude coverage for a preexisting condition if an insured had proper coverage. The complaint asserts that MEGA and Mid-West failed to comply with Massachusetts law by denying claims for benefits, such as maternity health care, "pap" test screening, contraceptive services, infertility treatment, mammography and preventive care for children up to age six. Similarly, health insurers cannot exclude coverage for a preexisting condition if an insured had proper coverage.

Under Massachusetts law, health insurers must provide insurance to individuals and small groups where the consumer has met minimum eligibility criteria. Today's complaint alleges that MEGA unfairly required membership in a third-party association as an unlawful condition for self-employed individuals and small businesses to gain access to insurance.

This goes on for pages so I won't waste any more space with cutting and pasting. Go to the sight and see for yourself.... Yikes....

Posted by: doug | Dec 27, 2007 7:07:36 AM

Thanks for looking that up Doug. And for those of you that don't know, Doug is just someone trying to find out info about MEGA and its practices. Great info Doug. So pretty much everything I was saying on here is factual. MEGA IS bad news people, and now the proof is on the blog......again....

Sorry J.P. but game, set, match.

I don't think JP is going to be able to argue the BBB. But he his an ultra conservative, so I'm sure there is some underlying excuse. Maybe (I DON'T RECALL THAT AT THIS TIME)

p.s. viagra, propecia, and ritilin

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 27, 2007 7:56:11 AM

These criticisms are accurate and true. The marketing company, however, is UGA. They are the marketing company that recruits, trains, and sells the Mega products. They do recruit young sales people with little or no experience, and their selling tactics are greatly flawed, and they teach little about the product, and hours on how to close. They do treat their agents as employees, not independent contractors, and there is very little freedom, no matter what they state, because you are a captive agent. You can't sell anything but MEGA products yet you will pay for your own expenses as a self-employed person (down to pens, paper, marketing materials and leads), and you pay for your insurance license as well as the education for that license, and your own liability coverage. People abroad need to educate themselves on this company, and the products they sell. By the way, the information in this blod is very good, and very accurate. These crticisms are coming from people who did their homework. I have been in the insurance industry years both on the sales side and in operations for 2 different companies. There is good information here.

Posted by: Joan Sawyer | Jan 3, 2008 8:00:13 AM

Joan: I resent you painting with such a broad brush. The majority of our 'recruits' have professional sales backgrounds, and I formerly sold for American Life Insurance Company, having been recruited out of college by my insurance instructor. I chose Mega because of the freedom of being able to choose my hours, rather than 'play office', waiting for calls. The average age of new agents is over 40 years old, not 20'somethings as you would lead readers to believe.

Many agent recruits come out of the 'downsizing' that corporate America has been going through. Others resented working as captive agents. Choosing to work for commission only, rather than a hand out, is commendable.

Few companies are unwilling to offer an opportunity to those of us over 40. Mega to their CREDIT recognize that we have much to offer. We bring a work ethic, have paid life's dues, and are willing to give it our all.

It is obvious that some of those attacking my chosen company have an agenda. One of the posters was in fact let go for having been convicted of battery, aggravated battery with intent to do great bodily harm, multiple disorderly conduct charges, felony false imprisonment. Not because of a conflict with conscience, and was ordered to go through AODA treatment, which he/she has completed, and I wish them well. That agent now represents another company(s). After their actions were discovered he/she was shown the door. I guess that misplacing blame, is a form of therapy.

Consider this fact. One of the Big three insurance companies, last year, paid out more money in 'back dating' stock options (Bonuses) to their officers, than the total amount premiums that were paid for all Mega policies. That Billion $$$ plus benefited none of their clients. The CEO of another of the big three caused their company to pay tens of millions to be paid in damages for 'sexual misconduct'.

Who's buttering your bread? Are they without fault? I don't really care, all we can do is my best.

Have a great day......

Posted by: JP | Jan 5, 2008 6:09:14 PM

JP,

I believe that you really should reconsider what you post on this blog for the public to read. You must be sure that what you are saying is indeed ACCURATE and truthful, or you may be commiting defamation of character and libel. Let me give you the definition: An untruthful statement about a person, published in writing or through broadcast media, that injures the person's reputation or standing in the community. Because libel is a tort (a civil wrong), the injured person can bring a lawsuit against the person who made the false statement.

You have indeed written false information regarding an agent that once represented your "company". Unfortunately, your source is NOT accurate. You just don't seem to understand that your view point is a minority, despite the WEALTH of neagtive information surrounding the MEGA company. If you want to be a "loyal and devoted" employee, that is great, but that DOES NOT in any way, give you a green light to spew false information about someone on a public website.

It appears that you are the one with an anger management issue, otherwise you would be the "bigger person" and let the company's reputation speak for itself instead of foaming at the mouth with lies about former agents who realized that they were working for a shit company. Instead of attacking the agent, why don't you post some information for all of us to read that proves what everyone is saying wrong? Because you can't. You can't dig up any information, so the next best thing to you is to verbally attack a former agent. Pretty pathetic JP. I can just about imagine what your sales tactics are. Your personality speaks for itself.

Posted by: anonymous | Jan 6, 2008 11:05:19 AM

"One of the Big three insurance companies, last year, paid out more money in 'back dating' stock options (Bonuses) to their officers, than the total amount premiums that were paid for all Mega policies"

So basically MEGA screws their clients who pay HUNDREDS in premiums per month, only for them to turn around and have to pay thousands more for what MEGA doesn't cover, all to pay their agents huge bonuses?! Wow, what a great company! I personally couldn't work for a company that scams hard working-class people out of thousands just to pay out millions and millions that their agents. What about a company that stands behind their promises and has great customer satisfaction. That isn't more important? Not to heartless capitalists.... More than half of all bankruptcy cases stem from unpaid medical bills, many of which actually had insurance, but insurance that didn't provide good cverage.

Posted by: anonymous | Jan 6, 2008 11:18:35 AM

Anonymous: I stand by my posts. How can one defame an anonymous poster. If you feel that you were wronged. Post yourself.

Insurance companies are held to a very high standard by Insurance Commissioners, or they would lose the right to sell in my state.

The poster mentioned has committed crimes that are a matter of public record. Their significant other was identified by their initials in the public record.

The 'victim' (like most abused victims) is an obvious case of the 'Stockholm Syndrome'. (J.L.) Much like a spouse who stays with their abuser. Is this you?? You write in the same style, in your (if you) threats to me.

The poster also posts repeatedly using MANY email addresses, to give the appearance of many different posters. Couldn't stay away, if that was in fact you...

I'm PROUD to write for the three companies that I represent. Do your companies approve of your unfair competive attacks? Do they endorse it?

Posted by: JP | Jan 6, 2008 3:08:40 PM

You're absolutly right J.P. They are a matter of public record. Such forclosures, tax evasion, 2 disorderly conducts in 1994 and 1998, statuatory rape of a 16 year old girl, (your child), things like that. Those are a matter of public record.

Posted by: Kevin | Jan 6, 2008 3:20:12 PM

Well, JP is being quite presumptuous; perhaps he has a degree in psychology as well. I see nowhere in this blog that one company was shot down in order to promote another. Nowhere is it suggested that any other particular company was being highlighted in favor of MEGA. All that has been written here is factual, and can be supported by documents/ websites/ research, and has been proven numerous times by several different people within this blog. Until YOU started acting like a spoiled, belligerent ass by dredging up someone's past, which is not accurate, no one was personally attacking one another. It reminds me of typical republican tactics. "I was trying to take a piece of toilet paper off of my shoe, and not trying to reach under the stall to signal another man that I wanted to have sex with him in the bathroom stall"... etc, etc.

What it appears here, is that a pathetic, disgruntled, unhappy person, who is attacking another agent because he has failed to find ways to avert the "attacks" (bringing forth factual information) that MANY others have posted on this blog over a period of time. Not only are you making yourself appear as a colossal asshole, but you're representing your company as someone who would use highly unethical and unprofessional tactics to make sales.

Oh, by the way, I prefer to remain anonymous because I don't need some pathetic asshole with no life, to look up my personal records, and email me incessantly because he literally has nothing better to do!

Posted by: anonymous | Jan 6, 2008 3:36:15 PM

Slander

A type of defamation. Slander is an untruthful oral (spoken) statement about a person that harms the person's reputation or standing in the community. Because slander is a tort (a civil wrong), the injured person can bring a lawsuit against the person who made the false statement. If the statement is made via broadcast media -- for example, over the radio or on TV -- it is considered libel, rather than slander, because the statement has the potential to reach a very wide audience.

Now let me clarify these accusations:

I was never "let go" or "fired" or "shown the door" as you have stated, and made so publicly. The funny part about that is I was actually hired upon (completion) of my probation and AODA classes. The proof of that is, my "misdemeanor" was in 2003, and I was hired by UGA in 2005 and then quit in 2007. So your accusations stating I was fired because of a criminal record are complete crap and or (libel). All anyone has to do is look up my name on the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance page and see that my termination date was in 2007 from MEGA due to lack of production. And since they (UGA) do such a thorough background check, as you have, they would have known about my past prior to hiring me anyway. Now what does that say about your precious company? They hired someone who was charged with a felony. The important part being charged never convicted.

Since you made the claim that I was fired because of my criminal background, I’m assuming you can prove that in a court of law, or to my attorney who I’m sure is going to be having a nice conversation with you soon enough. And since it is quite obvious, public record in fact, that you and a couple of your family members, are no strangers to a court room, hopefully you and I can meet up there real soon and have a nice chat about your accusations. I will be speaking with my attorney on Monday. It is one thing to have a subtle debate on a blog and degrade a company, but it is quite another to come after myself and my wife on a personal level, and then in turn say things that #1 you can’t prove, and #2 are inaccurate. It just speaks volumes about your character as a person.

Posted by: Kevin | Jan 6, 2008 3:45:15 PM

I've got a question about all of this. I got a policy with Mega after I was referred by my midwife to NASE, who she said had a way of getting a good benefits for self-employed. I had this slick looking sales guy come to my house and show me stuff on his computer and talk a whole talk about NASE and Mega. I explained to him that my husband and I were planning on getting pregnant within the next year and wanted to make sure we got good insurance that would cover me. I also explained that we often go to natural healing dr's as opposed to traditional ones and that I planned to use a midwife. Based on what he told me, I would end up paying $1440.00 total for the maternity care and birth.
So I got this policy and went to get an ultrasound, and I find out because I went to an "in network" hospital to get the ultrasound my midwife had ordered, it does not go to pay down my deductible that I will be paying for the midwife services because the midwives our out of network, so the only way I can pay down that deductible is to find out of network labs and hospitals, which is almost impossible. Of course no one took the time to explain any of this to me until I was denied.
So now I find that all the benefits I will be getting for this maternity care and birth are about $1000.00, which don't even begin to cover the payments for the 10 months I will have had the policy! Not what I had planned on and now I can not get any other insurance because I'm 5 month pregnant! Any ideas? Is this normal?

Posted by: Tkeisha | Jan 9, 2008 4:11:41 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.