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posted on: 6/7/2006
revised: 3/9/2010
A handful of my earlier articles express the
opinion that diabetics are among the most hard-pressed in out health
care system. Despite laws enacted in almost all states to put
diabetic treatment on par with other medical care, the general cost
and legal structure of the health insurance field make it difficult
for diabetics to obtain the best care.
Apparently that is not all that diabetics have to
worry about. I received this e-mail advertisement (spelling
mistakes corrected):
"My name is xxxxxxxxx, I'm in the insurance
industry and I offer people with pre-existing conditions including
diabetics affordable solutions for their health care needs. The
states that I represent are Kansas and Missouri. If you have any
questions, please reply back.
Thank you, xxxxxx"
At first read it sounds innocent enough, so what
is the problem? Read it again. What is being offered?
Is this an advertisement for insurance or something else?
If insurance is being advertised, state law
required certain disclosures. At a minimum, the name of the
insurance company must be included on all insurance advertisements.
Most likely this advertisement is promoting a PPO
discount plan that is disguised as an insurance plan by use of the
words "I'm in the insurance industry". A growing number of
schemes that offer a PPO discount plan alongside a supplemental
insurance plan (not a major medical plan) make it difficult for
consumers to understand the offer. The marketing is
intentionally vague with the purpose of being deceptive.
The marketer could argue that nothing contained
in this advertisement is a lie, but state regulators across the
country make it clear that it is illegal to create a deceptive
marketing image, even if no specific false statement is made.
In addition, a growing number of states now include uninsured PPO
plans under the same marketing guidelines and controls as insurance
plans.
Preying on the fears of diabetics is both
repulsive and illegal, yet despite the efforts of insurance
regulators the only real protection lies in a "buyer beware"
attitude. Unfortunately, many diabetics are so desperate for a
solution that they are easy prey for a marketer that offers
something that is too good to be true.
keywords: diabetic, PPO
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Copyright 2010 by Tony Novak. Originally produced and published for the "AskTony" column syndication prior to 2007. Edited and independently republished by the author in March 2010. All rights reserved. |
