The Dangers of Discount Insruance Plans

As a consumer in need of health insurance you want to provide quality care for yourself or your family but you also want to do it without spending too much money. When looking for a "good deal" you may be attracted to a select group of providers who offer discount plans that allegedly provide you with health insurance at drastically lower rate. As the saying goes, "if it's too good to be true then it probably isn't." IBD Insurance appreciates your desire to save money and get good health insurance. As an authorized Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) agent, we can appreciate your reluctance to spend a lot of money on a health insurance plan. Most people wonder, is it worth spending money on a good health insurance plan when I can save money with a discount plan? Ask yourself these questions. Will it be worth having a discount plan when you realize that you have a limited provider network? Will it be worth it when you have an unexpected illness and you realize you don't actually have a discount after all? What will you be giving up by saving a few dollars? Is it worth cutting corners when it comes to the health of you or your family?

 

Saving Money vs. Saving Your Health 

In 2005 the issue of discount plans became so prevalent that North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long sent out caution letters to North Carolina Business Bureaus and 148 Chambers of Commerce advising them to warn people about the varying differences between so-called discount plans versus legitimate health insurance plans. One of the problems is that many of these discount companies target self-employed workers and small businesses by playing to the budgetary benefits. And while you may save money you lose the benefits, features and customer support you can receive from plans like BCBSNC's Blue Advantage or Blue Options. IBD Insurance wants to help you save money but we also want you to have good insurance too. We're willing to work with you so that you can have affordable, useful coverage that gives you the support when you need it the most.

 

What You Don't know

Discount plans often:

• Don't have a wide coverage network
• Don't cover all the medical costs but rather a discount off the full fee
• Don't process claims or issue reimbursement 

That's only for the ones that are legitimate. There are many that aren't and use deceptive practices to get people enrolled like e-mail blasts, outlandish claims of savings and ambiguous details about the plan. Here's what IBD Insurance knows. We know that to get you the right coverage for the right situation we need to work with you to come up with the best solution BCBSNC can offer. We know insurance.  And we know we are committed to helping you get what you need. We've built our reputation on service, knowledge, expertise and the tried and true quality that BCBSNC can offer individuals, families, and businesses. Don't discount your health. Trust IBD to do what's best for your health.