A message to John Q. Critic about AmeriPlan

I remember when I got my first real job. I was so proud and relieved. I just spent six months unemployed, almost got kicked out of my apartment, and I escaped a volatile relationship. Things were finally turning around. I was going to start making money, I could catch up on bills and I finally had insurance.

Now why was I relieved to have health insurance?

For starters, I grew up in a poor environment. Our family was on assistance, we lived in a housing project, and we were basically living from hand to mouth. If anyone of us got sick, it just made things worse. If we were sick, we had to call a cab to get the hospital because ambulances were too expensive. We had to wait in the emergency room lobby until a doctor came to see us which took about twelve hours. We had to walk home sometimes because we didn't have enough money to take a cab back home. My having insurance with my job meant I could choose the doctor I wanted to see, pay a co-pay, and not wait twelve hours to see a doctor. I still had to catch a bus to get there, but it was better than paying a cab :)

Insurance was great. Sure it took a huge chunk of my pay check every month, but compared to what I grew up with, I was glad to pay the cost.

Then I had a baby.

Having a child changed the way I saw insurance. I could no longer afford the plan I was on so I had to switch to a more "cost effective" plan to save money. This plan I switched to was more trouble than it's worth. Let me share my views with you.

Most insurance company these days will offer you 80/20, which means they pick up 80 percent of the cost and you pick up the remaining 20 percent. Okay, not bad, but wait. Some insurance companies pick up 80 percent after you meet your deductible. The amount of your deductible is based on how many people are insured. For example if you are single, your deductible may be $300 dollars. Before they will pick up the 80 percent, you must meet that deductible which means you have to pay the full price of the doctor's fee until you meet your deductible. It doesn't get any better if you have a family on your plan because your deductible rises to $600 dollars or more. Once you meet your deductible, then they will pay the 80 percent and you pay the 20 percent of the bill.

Right now, you're saying okay, so what's the big deal Bonnie.  Well, here is the big deal. Insurance companies pay what is called a usual customary rate. All this means is they take a survey of the doctors in your area, find out what they charge, average it out and come up with a price they are willing to pay. You get stuck with the rest. So you are paying full price for services until you meet your deductible, then you are paying a co-pay, and then you are paying the balance that is left.Think about it. Have you ever called your doctor's office and asked them why you are getting a bill after you met your deductible and made a co-pay? I know I have. And many times I have asked myself what is the darn point of having insurance if I'm still paying money out of pocket.

What made me blog about this is a site I visited after a training call. This website is supposed to help you find out if things are a scam or not. The company I work for is listed. It doesn't recommend AmeriPlan because we supposedly "tug on the heart strings" of consumers by telling people we can help them get affordable medical and dental coverage.

Ok, Mr. John Q. Critic, this is my response. I will put AmeriPlan up against any insurance company out there. I like having the freedom to choose any doctor I want. I like not having to pay co-pays and after-pays and deductibles. I like not waiting 30 days before I can use the service.I like not getting nasty surprises in my mailbox. I like knowing what I have to pay upfront. I like having to pay one fee for my ENTIRE household instead someone increasing my costs because I have a family. I like that after being in the business for 20 years I have more people who love our service than not. Even some of the world's biggest retailers can't say that.

I know there's still a burning question. Why am I still with this insurance company? The answer is because my husband is required to have insurance through his job and I met him before I found AmeriPlan.  I don't hate any insurance company, I just don't like it as much as I do AmeriPlan.

Bonnie works with Freedom At Home Team. To get more information about affordable medical and dental coverage, visit her website http:www.benefitsplus.com/bonnieannprice