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Preying on Diabetics Through E-mail

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.

 

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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.