Anyone know anything about "Alliance for Affordable Services" ...its a health benefits program ??

Question

I got a call about this program, and met with the representative today..everything sounds good..but I'm trying to do some research online about customer reviews and can't find much which makes me leary. If anyone has heard of them, or has their coverage I would love to hear your input...THANKS!

Answer 1

If the state is not an option pick a different discount network if that's truly your ONLY option.

The plan is run by Health Markets which used to be UICI which is the parent company of NASE/Mega Life.  You can plug those companies into a search engine with the word "complaints" after it and find enough.

This one is related to Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, Oklahoma City, OK.    So, as Nase is to Mega, this Alliance is to Mid-West.  Their plans are almost identical as the parent company is the same.  The actual benefits you're paying for are overpriced for what you'd receive.

Consider going for a high risk pool in your state to see if they'd cover you.  Regardless of what you do stay away from this particular one.  So, if a discount plan is your only option just pick a different one.  I'd say pick a "reputable one" but I've yet to find one.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Well, it's not INSURANCE.  It's a LIST.  They're selling you a LIST.  They don't PAY anything, they don't PROMISE anything, and they don't even guarantee that the people on the list, will offer you a discount.

This is called a "discount plan".  Where you pay XYZ dollars a month, for a LIST.  And maybe some of the people, might give you a discount.

But trust me, a 25% discount off of a $20,000 hospital bill, will leave you with a $15,000 bill.  Will you be happy with that?

This does NOT take the place of health insurance.

**If you're looking for a discount plan, back into it.  Go talk to your OB and the hospital you plan on delivering at, and ask them which discount plans they honor, and how much of a discount they give.  THEN, ask them what the cash price, prepaid by your 36th week is, for the same service.  Odds are, the numbers will be close to the same.

Oh, and it's definately NOT a supplement, as it won't PAY anything.**

Answer 3

I have never heard of them before, but there is another that is also a discount health plan organization that has actually been in business for 16 years and is backed by the Consumer Health Alliance, US Chamber of Commerce, National Assoc. of Health Underwriters, and others. I personally use the plans myself, as well as have many satisfied members that I have personally enrolled with this benefits program.

It's Ameriplan and you can take a look, as well as search for providers in your area (along with names, addresses & phone numbers should you wish to call before ever spending a dime on enrolling, so that you can see what sort of savings you receive both with and without this plan) My site is http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/cberney

And as for discount health plans and whether or not they work... There are many that do not offer much savings, have very few providers, and overall fall short of what they should do. But with Ameriplan, they have a track record to show, they contract all their own providers (not renting a list of who knows who or if they are even still participating) and the savings that our members receive heavily overweigh the cost of the plan by far. Not everyone will have a huge thousands of dollars in savings like others will. It depends on how often or for what purpose a person is using the plan.

As for maternity and not being insurable, it is true and happens to more people then I think most will assume. And there is an option that can help a great deal with our hospital advocacy service. Yes, any individual person can go in and negotiate a hospital bill and eventually get help or find ways to get it lowered in terms of how much they owe. This takes a great deal of work & time if you don't know what your doing. Our advocates work on a case by case basis, someone is assigned to your individual case and will do all they can to get things settled in your favor. They know what can & cannot be done in regards to this & they know what grants & options are available to people who are not covered by insurance.

I suggest you take a look at it at least, and if you need any help searching the providers in your area, or if you have questions, just send me a note through my profile here on Answers and we will see what we can do.

We also have many testimonials in regards to savings specifically through maternity, so if you'd like I can pass them along as well or direct you to where you can find them.

Hopefully this helps a bit, and like I said, let me know if there is anything I can help with.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

you may search on  internat site they are many from them you can have usefull informations

Answer 5

I work for a large hospital system and personally feel that the discount programs where you purchase a list are a waste of time.

Your hospital and doctor will negotiate a cash price with you, and that cash price will be as good or better than the advertised discount those plans give you.  (And, in fact, there's no guarantee that the hospital or doctor will even honor that discount list.  I know we don't honor any of those discounts, even though somehow the hospital's name has ended up on a few lists.)

Before you agree to pay one dime to these people, call your doctor and hospital and ask them what percentage discount they would give to you.  (You may be asked a few questions about household size and income...I know the hospital I work at has a sliding fee schedule based on those factors.)  I would be incredibly surprised if you didn't get the same or better deal than the program you're considering.