AUTOGRAPHS

Missouri Cracks Down On Bogus Health Insurance Companies

Missouri regulators have moved to shut down more than a dozen companies that promise health plans but have allegedly left consumers with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills.

The consumer affairs division of the Missouri Department of Insurance demanded that 14 companies and 12 individuals respond to charges that they defrauded Missouri consumers, according to an order from the department filed Monday.

The companies have been ordered to appear at a hearing Feb. 17 to respond to the charges and could face cease-and-desist orders and a $250,000 fine.

The department has received complaints from nearly 150 consumers that paid these companies for services that were advertised as insurance, using phrases like “PPO,” “Group Health Plan” and “dependent coverage.”

Many of the companies send faxes promising low-cost health insurance.

Now the companies face fines and closure, state regulators said.

The state initiated administrative enforcement proceedings against Affinity Group Benefits Association Inc.; American Trade Association; Americans for Affordable Healthcare Inc.; Beema-Pakistan Assurance Ltd. a/k/a Beema-Pakistan Co. Ltd.; Key Benefits Administrators Inc.; National Alliance of Associations; National Trade Business Alliance of America; Peak Membership Alliance; Professional Benefits Consultants a/k/a PBC Direct a/k/a Professional Benefit Consultants of Del. Inc.; Real Benefits Association; Serve America Assurance Ltd. a/k/a Serve America Assurance Ltd. Co. a/k/a Serve America Assurance; Smart Data Solutions LLC; Spencer & Associates LLC; Christopher Ashiotes; Richard Bachman; Earnest Beall; David Clark; James Doyle; Obed Kirkpatrick; Bart Posey Sr.; Thomas Sullivan; William Worthy; and Colin Youell.

“State law provides severe punishment for any company selling unauthorized health plans in Missouri,” said John Huff, director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration, in a statement. “Many Missourians found out the hard way that these plans are not the comprehensive insurance they signed up for. Instead, some of them are left with massive unpaid medical bills.”

One consumer faced an unpaid medical bill of more than $60,000 after getting treatment in Hannibal, Huff said. Another southwest Missouri consumer paid nearly $2,000 for membership, then found out it didn’t even cover flu shots. Others told state regulators that they couldn’t get refunds after canceling their coverage.

About the Author

Quoting & Saving just got easier…EasyToInsureME Health Insurance Quotes… Quote all carriers in seconds

Missouri Health Insurance
Arkansas Health Insurance

David And The Giants Signed Album

Michael Huff (Oakland Raiders) Signed Autographed 8×10 Photo (PSA/DNA COA) $52.00 This 8×10 photo has been personally hand signed by Michael Huff on March 2; 2008 under the direct supervision of American Icon Autographs. This item was hand signed by Michael Huff and comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident sticker from the industries leading autograph authenticator PSA/DNA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. To ensure authenticity; the hologram can be reviewed onlin…

Sam Huff Autographed New York Giants Size XL Jersey w/HOF 82 $129.99 This is a custom made blue polyester, size XL, with sewn on name and numbers that has been personally signed by Sam Huff with HOF 82 inscription. He played at the University of West Virginia (1955 All America), the New York Giants from 1956-1963 and then with the Washington Redskins from 1964-1969. During that time he was a 5x Pro Bowl selection and was later selected to the 1950′s decade team and…

Sam Huff Autographed Photograph – 8×10 PROOF COA – Autographed NFL Photos $165.92 New York Giants Sam Huff Signed 8×10 Photo PROOF COA…

Larry Huff, Reading Phillies – Phillies Affiliate, 1999 Multi-Ad Sports Autographed Card Larry Huff Autographed 1999 Multi-Ad Sports Card – Minor League Card – Comes with a Certficate of Authenticity from Autograph-Cards…

Typed Letter, Signed, Dated January 19, 1954 …

The Water We Came From [Signed] …

Whom the Lord Loveth. The story of James A. Huff. Signed by the Author. 1961 Edition. By Jane Huff …