This is a little complicated, so bear with me. At the bottom of this document, there will be a list of what I discovered, so read on and DON'T GET INVOLVED WITH THESE GUYS! Btw: these ripoffreports are great, but I've noticed that most of the respondents can't spell. This explains a great many things....

Sunday

I received an email directly from a "TODD KLEIN" at Cornerstone America with a subject line "In regards to your resume" last Sunday. This had something to do with a sales position, but didn't mention the product. This is d**n peculiar seeing's how I've been an I.T. guru for 25 years! This email from "TODD KLEIN" came from an SBCGLOBAL.NET email account. It stated that he thought I was a qualified sales rep. Right then, I knew this was a SCAM, but just for the helluva it, I played along. I replied to "TODD KLEIN" to have him to tell me more. You could not reach him by phone - EVER, just voice mail. I have all correspondence in these email threads between the two of us.

Monday

I received a reply from "TODD KLEIN" (from a mw-ins.com email address) asking me to come in for my "INTERVIEW" at their facility off of Airport Freeway in Bedford, TX and to be there at 10:00 the next day to discuss this "Once-of-a-lifetime" opportunity. I was close by, so I agreed to meet him. I got there a little early and noticed several cars pulling up with some respectable people going into the building. I followed suit.

I met some chick named "VERONICA" (no last name, no business cards or email address. I spoke to her earlier by phone. I asked her what they sold, she was vague as hell. She gave me an an "APPLICATION" that was basically a contact info sheet. This was in the front office area. It was a nice place, but there wasn't a soul in the building that I could see. She led me to a "CONFERENCE ROOM" that looked a cool little movie theater with say, about 50 seats in it. All chairs even had their own little cup holders. How cute! In this "CONFERENCE ROOM" I found about a dozen of the people I saw out in the parking lot. After about a 10 minute wait, "TODD KLEIN" came in and did a NICE presentation. Only one lady asked a few questions. They told you how much "MONEY" you're going to make. You know, "BIG MONEY". He also said that this would be on a "1099-BASIS" (major flag).They told you that after a 3-day class, you'll take your test to obtain your license and then you're off to the races. You see, I make the "BIG MONEY" and that requires an "EDUCATION" of some sort, "HARD WORK", and "DEDICATION". This was too easy. Read a book, take a test, and then you'll be maikng 150k. This was starting to get fun. After the "PRESENTATION", I waited for my "INTERVIEW" with "TODD KLEIN" for about 10 minutes. I met with him for about 30 seconds and he asked me on a scale of 1-to-10, how do I think I'd fit in here. I told him a 10. He never asked about my background or anything like that. He told me he would call me back between 4:00 and 5:PM. He called right at 5:PM while I was grocery shopping. I didn't think he'd call to be honest with you. He wanted me to drive to his office in Dallas, Tx the following morning (the day I wrote this). He asked me to bring my driver's license, social security card and "CHECK" or "MONEY ORDER" in the amount of $247.00 USD. I agreed to meet him, but really had no intention of doing so. "TODD KLEIN" emailed me the info to find the place along with a STRANGE REQUEST". This came from his email to me:

Make it out to TKIA and I in turn will then send off a money order to the Insurance Center who will then send off a check to TDI. I enjoyed our meeting as well and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Todd

I already knew what "TKIA" (Todd Klein Insurance Agency) and "TDI" (Texas Department of Insurance) had to stand for. I asked him so he would put it in print. His response is below.

The insurance center is UICI our parent company. I send all paperwork into them to process and send off to TDI. I convert all checks to money orders because I have had people in the past bounce checks which I ended up having to cover. So it is basically just covering myself. For all of the people that I hire for the week I just send over a money order to the insurance center so that I am not held responsible for any bounced checks. I hope that this clarifies things a little and I am sure that you would not bounce any check, however I just have always taken this precaution and will continue to do so for my own safety.

Todd

He better be worried about his "SAFETY". (Did I say that?)

That evening I researched the h**l out of "CORNERSTONE AMERICA", "UICI" (the parent company apparently, and "MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE OF TENNESSEE". My findings are below with my commentary. This won't let you hyperlink, so I'll give you the keywords you can use on a search engine under my heading "RESOURCES". You might want to take a 5-minute break before continuing....

WHAT IS KNOWN (or rather unknown in some instances)

"CORNERSTONE AMERICA", "UICI", "MID-WEST", et al

There is no listing in the phonebooks anywhere in Texas, but In Bedford, there are two buildings with their sign. There are listings for "UICI" however.

Why were there no people (staff) there?

They ARE NOT A LICENSED INSURER! See "RESOURCES" at the end and check for yourself. This is an official Texas site. On this site, look up "CORNERSTONE", "UICI", "MID-WEST" or Todd's like company called "TKIA". The Texas Dept of Insurance has never heard of them.

"TODD KLEIN" is licensed however, in CO. He can't sell insurance here in Texas.

You would work for them on a 1099-basis (contractor). If they, or you violate any law as outlined in the insurance code, YOU, NOT THEM ARE IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY!!!!! Want to lose your house?

Web addresses "mw-ins.com" (Mid-West Insurance)and "uoneofakind.com" (off of their brochure) all REDIRECT YOU to "cornerstoneamerica.net".

Why are "TODD KLEIN" and "VERONICA'S" phone numbers different on each email exchange? One of "TODD KLEIN'S" numbers had a CO area code. He did say in the presentation that he was from CO, but had been here for some time.

What does "UICI" stand for? Who knows? It ain't on the web.

There is a valid website for MIDWEST, but it's not mw-ins.com like "TODD KLEIN'S" email address. MIDWEST is of "TENNESSEE", but they may be headquartered here in Tx.

Licensing requirements. Goto the site below to check this out. You can't get licensed in 3 days like you think. Search for a document called the "INSURANCE CODE". To be licensed, you'll need far more than 3 days's worth of "TRAINING".

So what about the fees to get my license? The state website will show you that some tests ar $50 dollars and some are $65. "TODD KLEIN" said the $240 was for the test (one) and license fees. It doesn't add up "TODD-STER".

More on the "FEES". OK, so "TODD KLEIN" emailed me asking me to write a check to "TKIA" for the fees right? He'll deposit my check to make sure it doesn't "BOUNCE". He'll then send a MONEY-ORDER to "UICI", which in turn will send my money to the "TDI". Remember, all MONEY-ORDERS ARE UNTRACEABLE! Either way you look at it, this transaction is d**n peculiar!!

Now for some speculation

If I make out a check to "T K I A" and the letters are a little spaced apart, you can insert "ood" do it looks like "Todd" and then insert "le" in between the "K" and the "I", followed by one quick swipe changing the "A" to an "N" and what to you get? You get "todd FING klein". I grew up in banking and we used to play little games like that thinking of clever acronyms to change into a person's name on a check. The bulls**about him "PROTECTING" himself from hot checks is pure crap. Hey "TODD", ever hear of TELECHECK dude?

Or he could be doing this instead. He could be some poor old smuck from CO brokering new recruits for a "FEE", submitting the $65 bucks to "UICI" along with the "PAPERWORK" to a VERY QUESTIONABLE ORGANIZATION. This "ORGANIZATION" has been, and continues to be sued from everything from unfair trade practices to out and out fraud. This outfit, with it's many layers of companies, is like an ONION, It stinks like one to be sure.

CONCLUSION

If you got this far, I'm glad because I put a lot of work into this so I can save some poor b**tard out there. If any of you want to send a rebuttal, bring it on! You can even email me if you wish. I believe that all of these "COMPANIES" are engaging in deceptive trade practices in two ways:

1. Misrepresenting insurance policies, to customers that is not good for them.

2. Receiving payment on a short-term basis for these policies only to have the customer cancel later. What the h**l, you made a few bucks.

3. Have been charged by the State of Colorado for fraud,

misrepresentation and direct violations of CO's insurance laws.

4. Engaging directly, or indirectly, in unsolicited email spam from data mined

5 Emailing unsolicted and prospective "JOB OPPORTUNITIES"

to members on these search engines.

6. Clandestinely, misled the job seekers into believing that there is a "REAL" job opportunity.

7. You charge a FEE, under false pretenses I dare say, to

a job applicant, on a 1099-basis without the proper

documentation (like an I-9). This is ILLEGAL. By collecting a "FEE" you are entering into an agreement to train, license, and employ them as an "INSURANCE AGENT". Since there are more then one of them, this constitutes a CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD.

8. The "FEE" is always a little less than what would constitute a felony. Hmmmmm.

WHAT I'VE ALREADY DONE

OK, you're still here, good for you. Read on. We're almost done.

The name "TODD KLEIN" may or may not be his. You can search him on the web. Two websites, he's giving

testimonials about other services, citing his position at Cornerstone. He's a web-marketing b*****d. Bet his

ol' lady is a cow! (why'd I say that)?

1. Took some pics of "TODD" getting into a car with license number. My snitches in law enforcement should

have him ID'ed this afternoon. Same goes for "Veronica".

2. Have consulted The Attorney General's Office who is going to perform a full investigation.....

3. .....dragging in the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Texas State Comptroller, and

subsequently, the US Department of labor. The FTC and SEC have to follow along.

4. Have obtained "TODD KLEIN'S" fingerprints to aid in his identification.

RESOURCES

"uoneofakind.com" which is "ornerstoneamerica.net", which is "w-ins.com"

On your search engines, use these keywords:

"todd klein insurance"

"texas insurance license" ** VERY IMPORTANT STATE of TEXAS WEBSITE

"mid-west insurance fraud" ** The $40,500.00 fine they had to pay in CO.

MESSAGE TO "TODD KLEIN"

I went through the motions with you out of fun. You virtual-company types are a scream! I was intrigued to see one of your officials on your website went by the name "JIM JONES". You can't use a name like that anymore dude! Sorry I turned down the pink lemonade the other day bro. You know how it is. I wonder how many people actually pay you? There's one born every minute I guess. Anyway, you'll be ID'ed very soon and these good people that read my rather long document are going to be emailing me. I'm going to tell them everything. Better start looking over your shoulder 'pardner, 'cause TEXAS is a ROUGH PLACE. You've been told.......

Hey everybody, contact me at You can two if you want to "TODD KLEIN".

Tom

Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Mid-West National Life Insurance

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Cornerstone America

21 Updates & Rebuttals

Snyder

Dallas,
Texas,
United States

Glad I could help

#2Author of original report

Wed, May 09, 2018

I'm Tom from Texas, the original poster on the BS going on at Midwest Insurance, cornerston, Todd Klein, Mike or whoever the hell they are.

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Thank you...

#3Author of original report

Thu, January 14, 2010

...to all of you who contributed to exposing these a******s!

Tom

Scott

cedar park,
Texas,
U.S.A.

North Richland Hills insurance company again runs afoul of state regulator

#4Consumer Comment

Wed, December 23, 2009

By DARREN BARBEE

A North Richland Hills insurance company has again run afoul of Texas Department of Insurance, after having already paid multimillion-dollar fines in recent years for various violations, including deceiving customers with marketing materials.

Mega Life and Health Insurance was recently ordered to pay $500,000 for its failure to comply with state regulations. That follows a February 2008 administrative penalty of $225,000 by the department to resolve alleged prompt-pay violations for the first, second and third quarters of 2005.

Apparently, the fine didnt spur long-term improvement at Mega, a subsidiary of HealthMarkets, which provides insurance to the self-employed, individuals and small businesses. The companies have been the subject of multistate investigations and massive fines.

At issue in the $500,000 fine were a series of "clean claims" that Mega failed to pay in accordance with state regulations. A clean claim is not disputed; both parties the insurer and the claimant agree that the claim has merit, said Mike Barry, vice president of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute.

Mega "voluntarily determined" that coverage for certain mandated benefits serious mental illness, detection and prevention of osteoporosis, papillomavirus and cervical cancer may not have been in compliance with Texas law, according to department documents.

Texas requires that clean claims be paid within a 30-day period if the claim is filed electronically or 45 days if it is filed another way, a department spokesman said. Texas tolerates late payments on 2 percent of clean claims. If clean claims paid late fall below the 98 percent compliance threshold then the department may assess administrative penalties.

Mega failed to follow the law every quarter from the fourth quarter of 2007 through the first quarter of this year, never falling below 3.7 percent and peaking at 13.38 percent.

"In general, most states allow a 7 percent error tolerance for the timeliness of payments on a clean claim," the company said.

Jerry Johns, president of Southwestern Insurance Information Service in Austin, a nonprofit association of property and casualty insurance companies, said he wasnt sure what error rate most states allowed for clean claims.

But, he said, "Texas is very strict in terms of monitoring and penalizing insurers that are not living up to the expectations of the law or rules that have been made by [the department]. Texas is a state that highly regulates insurers in terms of way they conduct themselves in the marketplace and solvency."

HealthMarkets said the company and its subsidiaries are committed to meeting regulatory requirements including how claims are paid.

"In the third quarter of 2009, our companies met the standard for the timeliness of payments on a clean claim in Texas, as well this standard in all other states were we have in-force policies," the company said. "We anticipate meeting the standards in the fourth quarter also, and will continue to improve our business processes to ensure ongoing compliance with all regulatory requirements."

The company has been beset by fines in the past couple of years.

On Sept. 1, HealthMarkets, formerly known as UICI, and subsidiaries Mega Life and Health Insurance of Oklahoma and Mid-West National Life Insurance of Tennessee, agreed to pay $17 million to settle the deceptive marketing allegations in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts attorney general said the companies were banned from selling products in the state for at least five years.

In April, the company and Mega Life and Health Insurance agreed to pay a $1 million fine and $4.6 million in restitution to customers in Maine to settle complaints of overcharging customers for three years.

In July 2008, the company paid a $20 million penalty as part of a multistate settlement. It could be required to pay $10 million more if its subsidiaries fail to meet terms of an agreement joined by 29 states. The action arose from a 2005 review of the companies operations.

Last summer, HealthMarkets CEO Phillip Hildebrand said the company had worked closely with regulators during the investigation.

"We understand our obligations to regulators, as well as our customers," he said. "In order to meet those commitments, we are improving Company operations across the board."

In the nine months ending Sept. 30, the company listed profits of $28.7 million , compared with a loss of $44.2 million during the same period last year.

-->

http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/1846750.html

Monday, Dec. 21, 2009

By DARREN BARBEE

Mega failed to follow the law every quarter from the fourth quarter of 2007 through the first quarter of this year, never falling below 3.7 percent and peaking at 13.38 percent.

"In general, most states allow a 7 percent error tolerance for the timeliness of payments on a clean claim," the company said.

HealthMarkets said the company and its subsidiaries are committed to meeting regulatory requirements including how claims are paid.

The company has been beset by fines in the past couple of years.

Last summer, HealthMarkets CEO Phillip Hildebrand said the company had worked closely with regulators during the investigation.

"We understand our obligations to regulators, as well as our customers," he said. "In order to meet those commitments, we are improving Company operations across the board."

In the nine months ending Sept. 30, the company listed profits of $28.7 million , compared with a loss of $44.2 million during the same period last year.

ariel

Florida,
USA

TOM FROM DALLAS IS 100% CORRECT

Sat, August 29, 2009

To Tom from Dallas, You did some hell of a job on this Mid-west National and all the other names they are going under. Some of the points I want to bring up were not mentioned in any response. First, I wonder why all the Insurance agent who call you one day out of the blue ,want always to come next day to your house, So they can let you see all and design a plans that are so good ,made just to your need. . It Remind me of the Kirby vacuum salesmen who are selling a $ 150. machine for $1500. they too must come to your house to perform a display no other vacuum can accomplish . (because they don't want any witness when they manage to scam you,) The same goes with Financial advisor's/salesmen who are selling Annuities to old people ,They too, of course only by appointment and only in your house. Why do All other major Health Insurance , Major Vacuum cleaners or Major financial companies never require this ? . Just wondering ? Second, After I guess many complains, Mid West National decided to convince anybody who is in doubt that their products will do , By getting a web site named : "insurance.freeadvice.com/survey" Which the agent recommend to you to check their superior rating, compare to ALL the other major health insurance companies in the country. Mid west National - is the BEST. All reviews are positives, of course. I am sure this site was created or is managed by someone connected to this facade. Here are Just some of them. Negative are not accepted. I tried it myself , only the the positives were printed, Anybody can type in as many reviews as he wants without any requirement to registered . Try it yourself. READ SOME OF THOSE WONDERFUL REVIEWS BELOW : aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa These are comments left by site visitors who have completed a survey for this company. The comments are unedited and shown in the order the surveys were received. If you would like to participate, just click the "Take a Survey" button at the end of these comments. " When it comes to claims, they put out very little money. It's a bunch of moble joble to understand what insurance will cover. Which I put out more money because they find excused not to cover a things. They make money off of me!!!!!" 2008-03-14 15:44:12 EST " I've been with MidWest since 2004 and they've paid for 2 surgeries beautifully. My agent is still with the company and I can always get a hold of her -- so much better than the company I was with, let's just say it was a "Blue" nightmare and I ended up paying for most of my husband's surgery because they said some things were not medically necessary? " 2008-04-23 14:06:44 EST " Insurance is insurance. I pay my premuims and when there is a claim I have never had an issue with them. " 2008-05-20 17:48:13 EST " recommended by an AARP sales rep and we feel he misrepresented the benefits particularly for or 18 month old daughter" 2008-05-24 16:56:52 EST " I 've had this insurance for over 2years and the premium has gone up atleast 3 times. pays very little always some loop hole" 2008-06-09 16:38:02 EST " Had Hip surgery. Paid my 2500 deductible and 2500 max out of pocket they paid over 97,000 Paid Great" 2008-08-01 23:30:09 EST " The coverage is exactly what was planned for me. The premium was very reasonable and I didn't not have to have a bunch of things that I didn't want or need, so I have saved a lot of money. I have had the policy for over 5 years and have recommeded the company to many people" 2008-07-26 18:56:34 EST " My wife had neck surgery, which totaled $120,000, and change. My deductible of 1500 was cut in half=750, due to the fact that it was an injury...and I only had my additional 2500 coinsurance max after that! $3250 out of my pocket on $120,000 bill...I would say that I am extremely satisfied! (The policy did exactly what was promised)." 2009-01-15 13:13:16 EST " Mid-West is a case-model for doing things "old-school." They gave me an agent who came to my office and provided the personal touch. I got exactly what I wanted in my policy, and not a lot of junk I didn't want or need. This saved me time and money, and the agent was professional and helpful. When I filed my first claim it was paid fast and without question. If they keep up their end, I'll never change again. " 2009-01-23 08:20:49 EST " These policies are a refreshing change from the other policies that I shopped. I am self employed and have had my Mid-West policy over 4 years. My family had a large claim(over 120K), and all I paid was half my deductible and my stop loss was at 2500= total out of my pocket $3250!!!! That is protection" 2009-01-23 10:56:24 EST " This company is the best. I only pay for what I need and that's refreshing. Health insurance is suppose to be there when I need it, not if I need it. I do not have to pay for a service like cancer treatment when I don't have cancer. Saves me some doe so I can pay other bills in these thight times." 2009-02-24 17:03:43 EST " MidWest is not what I would consider "coverage". It has huge holes in the "coverage" that might as well pay for coverage at a roulette table and you "might" come out a winner. Too many holes. Too much risk to be considered "insurance"." 2009-02-25 17:58:55 EST " Great company. The policies are inexpensive and they pay exactly as my agent said they would." 2009-02-27 10:37:59 EST " Our daughter has orthodontic work done. The policy states they pay a $50 monthly for her braces up $1000. They wouldn't pay. After going around and around with them on this we filed a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner. They paid for 2 months and rest I had to call each month and explain the whole situation then talk to their Insurance Investigator before anything would be done. This has been very frustrating. I wouldn't recommend this insurance to anyone." 2009-03-25 17:38:12 EST " This company is great! There's alot of bad insurance companies out there, I know, I shopped around! However these guys have paid every claim I've had exactly as my agent said they would and plus I get tons of cool stuff from this association that my agent put me in. This company really takes the "business" out of the insurance business and is just trying to help people." 2009-03-23 16:25:47 EST " quick payment, no hassle no fuss, very easy to work with, A+" 2009-03-26 16:39:33 EST " everythig has been super easy with this company. i have only had this policy for about 6 months and have not had a major claim, but my agent and the personal are very knowlegable and go over the top to help out with questions and payments. i have since recomended it to my whole family." 2009-04-02 16:34:27 EST " It was explained well to me, in person, and made me have some insight on the insurance industry overall. If more companies did business this way...people would feel different about health insurance" 2009-05-18 20:10:26 EST " I love the fact that i can go to any doctor that i want even when i leave my home state. I have always had a great relationship with my agent who got me a great plan that works for me and my budget. " 2009-07-22 00:57:36 EST " Eeverythig has been super easy with this company. i have only had this policy for about 6 months Great company." 2009-08-27 11:33:31 EST Take Survey How long have you had a policy with this company? Overall, how satisfied are you, with your insurance company? How likely are you to renew your insurance policy/policies with this insurance company? Would you recommend this insurance company to your friends and family?

Jayna

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

I was contacted today by Todd Klein

#6Consumer Comment

Wed, July 29, 2009

I just recieved this email about a job oppertunity I never applied for. So I decided to google the company and I found this site so I am so glad that you were out there to save me from wasting my time and gas! Sales Representative? From: Letter ([email protected]) You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as junk Sent: Tue 7/28/09 8:39 PM To: [email protected] I am seeking to fill the position of Sales Representative in my Dallas office. After reviewing your resume online, I see that you possess some of the necessary qualifications to be a candidate. The next step in this process will be to conduct an interview. The purpose of our interview will be to discuss specific details about compensation, company leads, training, products and any other questions you may have. Please contact my assistant Jean Leonard at [email protected] or call 214-256-3441 to schedule an interview. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Todd Klein Divisional Sales LeaderRepresenting HealthMarkets 214-256-3441 SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Immediate Weekly Cash Potential- Call on prospects who have requested to see you- Professional Training- Prestigious Products and Services- Personal Sales and Leadership Development- Advancement Opportunities (Sales Leader)- Company Sponsored Stock Ownership Program- Bonus Programs and Trips- Annual Potential Income $60,000 - $100,000 Letter Value: 1372C2-35A590

Justin

Gainesville,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

Mike is half correct about his findings

#7UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, August 15, 2007

I was District Sales Leader for Mid West for about a year and a half. I helped open an office in Savannah, Ga and eventually helped close it 9 months later. Here is the truth about Mid-West and Mega and Cornerstone and all the other names they use. They are all the same company - Eventhough they are all filed differently. The original people who started the associations leave or have children who start another association - Its a great way for them to make more money. UGA, Cornerstone, Etc - How the company is structured is not that big of a deal. The real issue here is what is being offered to clients and what is being pitched to prospective agents. The plans are overpriced and are not major medical plans. They are scheduled fee plans. They do have some Major Med plans BUT they are way too pricey to afford. In the time i sold for them I never sold a major med plan only the scheduled fee plans. The other issue is prospective agents. They get trained and lied too about the products. 99% of new agents have never sold insurance before. So they get brainwashed into how great these plans are and what benefits they offer while telling people that no other carrier out there does the same thing. When left the Co. I realized what i had sold was garbage. Now representing all the major carriers I get referals from clients. Before I would just get hate calls about how bad they got ripped off. To the insurance shopper - DO YOUR HOMEWORK DONT BUY BASED ON HOW NICE THE AGENT SEEMS TO BE - they may be nice and mean well - but have no idea what they are really selling. When these co's hire new agents they lie to them about potential income and how easy it is to sell their product. Also they dont even show the product when interviewing. Agent be aware of selling for any UICI co. Justin

Robert

Alameda,
California,
U.S.A.

How about a little truth, guys!

#8UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, August 19, 2006

There are two things I want to make abundantly clear. I am not a Cornerstone, Mid-West Agent. I do not like their policies. I think they stink as written by their average agent and administered by the company. However, the hiring practices of Cornerstone (the marketing arm of Midwest National Insurance of Tennessee ["MWN"]) are not what the original poster claims that they are. RSLs, DSLs (upper management for Cornerstone) and agents are all considered independent contractors by Cornerstone. The purpose of this as far as I can see is plausible deniability. If the agent or any member of the hierarchy has done nothing wrong in a case wherein they are being accused of malfeaseance, the "Company" can bail. If the Company wants to stand behind the agent, then they can. Cornerstone is like any other large scale national organization. They encourage their upper heirarchy to recruit, recruit, recruit, recruit. The idea is that ten percent of the agents recruited will prove to be superstars and produce long term. If they don't, the Company doesn't have to pay off comission to the agents past their seven or eight month tenure in the company. The original poster fails to realize the vast implication of the employmnet opportunity. I made over $100,000 my first and only year with them. But what I was doing -- through a lack of training and guidance -- was potentially bankrpucting innocent people, something I am careful not to do now.

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

I'm with you 100% Leonard

#9Consumer Comment

Tue, April 25, 2006

Well said. I couldn't agree more.....

Leonard

Atlanta,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

Fraud

#10UPDATE EX-employee responds

Mon, April 24, 2006

To Tom and anyone else reading this thread, This "Mike" character is a 100% fraud, and he is absolutely a UICI company representative. He will deny the truth till his grave. Don't even bother wasting any time with this fool. He's providing an unbelievably weak argument (because there is no basis for any strong argument), and he'll just continue to try and redirect consumers attention from the truth about UICI and the racket that they run. It's the exact same tactics that their district managers train unwary new agents to use with prospective customers. I'm sure that is exactly what he is. Unfortunately, there are plenty of ignorant people out there who will continue to fall for it, and there is not much that can be done to help them. You just have to hope that "Mike" gets what's coming to him one way or another. I'm sure he will...

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

"MIKE" you're full of it.

#11Author of original report

Sun, April 23, 2006

Nice little list you have there "MIKE" or "TODD". "TODD KLEIN" is licensed ONLY in CO and not Texas. OK "MIKE", I'm going to make this real simple. The reason that I know that you are "TODD KLEIN" is that when I filled out this report, I put your email address in the form. You were notified when this report was posted and that's why we have a rubuttal. You're little list is not accurate and once again you're dropping more names liek Chesapeke. Who in the hell are those guys? Another UICI front. It can't be from anyone else but you son. I have friends at The Dallas Observer and The Dallas Business Journal and they are interested in the goings-on over there at Cornerstone. Time to turn up the heat. Hey "MIKE", sorry about my foul language towards you. May I make a suggestion? Go back to your 1st grade teacher and chew her out for lying to you because LIFE AIN'T FAIR! "TODD" remember, I know where to find you. p***k!

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

Found on the Texas Department of Insurance website

#12Consumer Suggestion

Sat, April 22, 2006

This information was optained from TDI web site. Here are a few definitions of acronyms used: TDI - Texas Department of Insurance NAIC - National Association of Insurance Commissioners FEIN - Federal TaxID/Employer Indentification Number (The member number is to the right of the acronym) Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee - Active TDI - 5906 NAIC - 66087 FEIN 620724538 (Yes, they have paid penalties, look under company history, and yes one was from Colorado for 75K on 11-21-2002. The Mega Life and Health Ins Company - Active TDI - 49010 NAIC - 97055 FEIN 592213662 (They have also paid penalties in Colorado, 78K on 02-10-2003. Chesapeake Life Insurance Company - Active TDI - 15730 NAIC 61832 FEIN - 520676509 (They paid a penality of 25K on 02-08-2002 in the state of Maryland) I went ahead and looked up a couple of others so the readers can see this isn't unusual among insurance companies. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Inc. - Cancelled Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, A Division of Health Care Services Corp. - Active TDI - 94686 NAIC - 70670 FEIN 361236610 (They paid a penalty of 1.5 million on 09-06-2001 in Texas) Humana Insurance Company - Active TDI - 93526 NAIC - 73288 FEIN - 391263473 (They paid a penalty of 1.25 million on 09-06-2001 On the NAIC web site it states the following, when you look up the name of a company: Please be aware that an insurance company may have different subsidiaries with different names. Please check your policy for the correct name. With that in mind I decided to go to the HealthMarkets (former UICI)site just for fun. Here is what I found under HealthMarkets Fact Sheet: HealthMarkets conducts business through the following wholly owned insurance company subsidiaries: The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee (Just for Todd, lisenced in Texas with TDI and NAIC) The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company Just give people the facts and let them do their due diligence and make up their own mind, without slandering of another person or using usless profane or hostile language. Yes, there are problems with every insurance company out there, no one company is without paying penalties. If anyone knows of a multi-million dollar insurance company that has been in business for over 5 years and is doing business in at least 40 states and hasn't paid penalties please tell me and I'll investigate them and provide the facts. Still Serving,

Leonard

Atlanta,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

Mike - Stop it. Please.

#13UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sat, April 22, 2006

I could write a novel here. I'll try and keep this short. Mike - do you really expect us to believe that you are some random outsider with no vested interest in these companies? Who the hell would bother defending any insurance company, let alone such a controversial one such as UICI, if they were a completely unbiased and unaffected party? Stop it Mike, you're just going to get hammered here. The Fitch ratings, A.M. best ratings, etc., are only measures of a company's ability to pay its claims. It's a financial measurement, and it has nothing at all to do with the quality of the insurance policies, agents, field operations, service, or anything else. The reason why this company has a decent rating is because it has a lot of cash available to pay claims. UICI was actually downgraded recently because its ability to pay claims may be compromised by the Blackstone Group acquisition. It was a highly leveraged buyout, and heavy debt payments are going to put a crunch on the company's cash going forward. The reason why UICI has so much cash is because of their very large profit margins. Do you know why they have such large margins Mike? Because the policies that their companies' field agents were pushing (better put - largely misleading consumers with) were extremely limited, scheduled benefit policies that kept the company from ever having to pay large claims (These policies and the huge number of consumer complaints were the reason for the recent cease and desist in the state of Washington). Combine that with the fact that the rates on these policies were still higher than what it costs most people for major medical coverage with other insurers, and the fact that the company pays much lower commissions to it's agents and uses the exorbitant NASE fees to fund a large part of the managers/employee's bonuses, and you've got some huge profits. Which leads us to the Blackstone Acquisition... The Blackstone acquisition is certainly a perplexing deal. I mean, why would such a reputable investment firm want to get involved with a group of insurance companies (under the parent UICI) that have been subject to numerous state investigations, been forced to settle tons of lawsuits, have an inordinate amount of complaints for their size, and utilize aggressive/misleading sales and marketing tactics? Well, once you cut through all the BS, it's really quite simple. Blackstone was impressed with UICI's profit margins, and they know that UICI companies (and their deceptive but effective marketing arm - NASE) are in prime position to capitalize on the boom that is occuring in the individual health coverage market. The fact that the company has more worms at it's core than a bad batch of Mama Beam's famous apples is insignificant, since Blackstone is only looking for another quick hit and run (they rarely get involved in deals that take more than a couple years to turn over). They have no intention of being around past 3-5 years, and they absolutely have no interest in getting their hands dirty to fix the countless problems that exist. That's just enough time for UICI to swindle a large portion of the booming individual market, and for Blackstone to sell the b*****d project and cash in at a premium. Blackstone will walk away champs, and UICI investors will cheer. UICI management and tenured agents will make a killing, and they won't have any problem continuing to turn their heads and talk out of the side of their mouth. They'll continue to deny all wrongdoing, settle all their lawsuits, and hire and train completely uneducated and desperate agents who won't question all the lies they are propagating until it's way too late and they've already been chewed up and spit out. Both UICI and Blackstone know that very few insurance commissioners and state investigations are aggressive enough to be any real threat to them. And if numerous class action lawsuit settlements, tons of other lawsuit settlements, and plenty of bad press don't phase Blackstone, then surely a bunch of little fines and pesky investigations from the commissioner's aren't going to scare them off from making billions either. Outside of some kind of mass state health care reforms across the nation to mimic those in the state of Massachusetts, Blackstone is quite sure of their massive financial gain - and it doesn't bother them one bit that they're doing a deal with the devil to acquire it. I'm not even going to bother commenting on your "research", since anyone with half a brain on this site knows you are spewing out a bunch of garbage. Cornerstone/Midwest and all of UICI's companies have had terrible complaint records as stated by the official NAIC reports, and Aetna (and other behemoths) have complaint ratio's that are much better than any of UICI's companies, not to mention that they are complained about on ripoffreport.com a TON less than UICI's companies. The comparison tool is a nice little feature on ONE of their policies, and it's certainly something that could be useful if it was available to the general public. But guess what Mike - they rarely ever sell that policy. It's more expensive, the field agents are not trained to sell it, and the general public is too challenged by the whole idea. So whoop dee do. And besides Mike - what good is that feature once the customer realizes too late that their Cornerstone/Midwest/Mega policy doesn't come remotely close to covering the costs of their chemotherapy treatments? Stop it Mike. Just come clean, tell us who you are and why you are really here. Do some real good for the country and start telling the truth...

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

You never addressed the REAL ISSUE "MIKE"!

#14Author of original report

Fri, April 21, 2006

You never addressed or attempted to explain why "UICI", "CORNERSTONE", "MID-WEST NATIONAL LIFE OF TENNESSEE" or "TODD KLIEN INSURANCE" don't appear on the TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE's roster of licensed insurers. Seeing's how you're from Tennessee, I'll explain how you can CHECK ME OUT. Read this real carefully ok? From your search engine, search for "texas insurance license". You'll get a page from the Texas Dept. of Insurance "TDI". You have two options: Search for individuals or companies that are licensed in the State of Texas. None of the companies are there. There must be a transparent company out there right "Mike". With that said "Mike", there is a reference to "TODD KLEIN" in CO, listed as an individual, but he's not licensed in Texas. Got it dude?? I found an interesting factoid for you regarding Tennessee. I saw on the Discovery Channel last night that someone dug up some ancient artifacts in Tennessee. They discovered a toothbrush dating back 1,500 years. They confirmed this via carbon dating as it was made out of wood. You know "Mike" that I mean like the wood in a tree, not "wuud" like you people say out your way. The scientists after much investigation, determined that the toothbrush was in fact invented in Tennessee. If it had been invented anywhere else, it would've been called a "teethbrush". Oh yeah, I almost forgot to tell you this. I was passing out some flyers at the Cornerstone America office in Bedford today as these new "recruits" were going in for their "interview". This should prove to be interesting...Maybe I'll see you there because I know that you're not in Tennessee any more than you were in the US Armed forces like I was. Semper Fi!

Danielle

Las Vegas,
Nevada,
U.S.A.

Posting this Because Cornerstone and UGA are Sister Companies

#15UPDATE EX-employee responds

Fri, April 21, 2006

Tom, if you are interested, would like to compare notes on the sister company UGA selling Mega Life and Health Crap. By what you have written it definitely sounds like you are trying to warn unsuspecting recruits from Cornerstone and I am trying to warn them both from Cornerstone and UGA. The companies are very similar in their practices and the policies that they sell. But what a lot of people don't know is they are both under UICI or should I say Blackstone. If someone is looking under Cornerstone they won't see all the reports about Mega Life and Health and vice versa. Some unsuspecting people could end up at the other company.

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Keep sticking to your guns Mike from Tennessee

#16Author of original report

Fri, April 21, 2006

Is it a coincidence that Mid-West and yourself are from the State of Tennessee? I think not. You state that you are not in any way connected to these companies, but you are taking way too much time defending these people! I see that you didn't comment on my pointing out the red-flags in your half-truths regarding the articles in the Dallas Business Journal. You remember Mike, I pointed out the other articles listed on the same page. You know, regarding the fraudulent activities of UICI and how they always have to "satisfactorily settle" those lawsuits filed against them. Why don't you address my claims one-on-one like I do yours? You just starting dropping more names. I didn't intend to attach you personally, it's just that I know what you are doing and I say that you do have a vested interest in UICI, Mid-West, Cornerstone et al, or whatever other shell companies they operate under. Sorry, I didn't mean "shell companies". What I meant to say was "transparent companies". Isn't that how you put it "Mike"? It's evident that these companies are not acting in the daylight. By the way "Mike", when were you in the service?

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

Just the facts

#17Consumer Suggestion

Fri, April 21, 2006

Tom from Dallas, The facts speak for themselves. In my rebuttal I didn't attack "YOU" I simple stated information I found in my research. I did my due diligence for a proper investigation. I have nothing against "YOU" nor anything to gain. Your attacks against me and my service to this "Great Nation" don't bother me in the least. I'll stick to the point. I'll make a comment at the end. First - The article from "Dallas Business Journal" is dtd 07 Apr 06 and yes it was "posted" 10 Apr 06. Once people read the article they will see for themselves the facts, under the article title "Insurance companies talk about price" they will see the following; Dallas Business Journal - April 7, 2006 by Jennifer Gordon. Second - If anyone goes to Google and types the word "fitch" the first hit is "Fitch Ratings." It states the following: Fitch is the international ratings agency with offices in over 75 countries. Fitch provides issuer and bond ratings, research and surveillance...etc. Just so everyone will know the facts. Fitch Rating was founded on 24 December 1913 by John Knowles Fitch. You can also type the word Hoover (not the vaccuum) and find out how this company rated UICI and how it rates Mega Life & Health. Third - I'll respond to the comment you made about me stating something in my rebuttal twice. Tom, read it again and you being a very intelligent person will understand why the clarification was needed. Finally - The general population of the Country are Great Americans. Not everyone is out to defame "you." It's just a company ran by people. I'm not trying to convience or change anyones mind. I'm simply letting the reader know to look at ALL the facts, Good & Bad, then make an educated decision. Tom, its because of Military Personnel Past, Present, and Furture that have given you and I the right to choose where and who we work for. It's because of US your an American and a good Texan with the right to have your voice heard. Tom, I must bring something to your attention. Go to your last paragraph, of your rebuttal to my comments, and to the first sentence. You did the same thing once again your accusing others of. You stated "requires and education." It's "an education." See you mis-spelled "an" but I wont judge you. Keep up the Fire, and I hope the best for you.

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

Just the facts

#18Consumer Suggestion

Fri, April 21, 2006

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

Just the facts

#19Consumer Suggestion

Fri, April 21, 2006

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

Just the facts

#20Consumer Suggestion

Fri, April 21, 2006

Tom

Dallas,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Mike, your are lying, stupid, or both!

#21Consumer Comment

Thu, April 20, 2006

"In a resent article dtd April 7, 2006 The Dallas Business Journal (article title "Insurance compaines talk about prices)" I went to the Dallas Business Journal site and the article was posted on 4/10/2006. Not 4/7/2006 bro. The article briefly mentioned the nifty little calculator UICI came up with and little else. I noticed however, that there was a link to "UICI", so I clicked on it. There is a list of Dallas Business Journal articles about "UICI" that are not complimentary (See below): "UICI's acquisition frenzy made it hard for the company to concentrate on any one business" "Healthplan abandons merger plans with UICI" "Insurance Commissioner orders Mega to cease and desist" "UICI subjected to class-action lawsuit" Go to yahoo and search for "dallas business journal", go to their website and in its search bar search for UICI. There's more in there, but this give the reader and understanding how "MIKE" is trying to mislead you! I went to the "FITCH" website and could not obtain any info "MIKE". You're just dropping names. "MIKE", I await your next response. You do need to get your act together because you put this in twice: I am not a licensed insurance broker and I am not paid buy Cornerstone America. It's self evident that you're not an insurance broker because that requires and education. You definitely can't spell. I hope Cornerstone isn't paying you, because if they are, it's a waste of money that can be better spent on legal counsel when lawsuits are filed against them. Look forward to hearing from you MIKE or TODD KLEIN or whatever you name is. CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

-->

Hey MIKE or whatever your name is, I've heard of guys like you. You respond to complaints in an effort to make the company look great. You've made some mistakes by inserting duplicate text in your rebuttal and that's a dead givaway. I also doubt that you were ever in the service since your typing skills leave a lot to be desired. If you ever served your country, it must've been in the Coast Guard. Your rebuttal states--->"In a resent article dtd April 7, 2006 The Dallas Business Journal (article title "Insurance compaines talk about prices)" I went to the Dallas Business Journal site and the article was posted on 4/10/2006. Not 4/7/2006 bro. The article briefly mentioned the nifty little calculator UICI came up with and little else. I noticed however, that there was a link to "UICI", so I clicked on it. There is a list of Dallas Business Journal articles about "UICI" that are not complimentary (See below): "UICI's acquisition frenzy made it hard for the company to concentrate on any one business" "Healthplan abandons merger plans with UICI" "Insurance Commissioner orders Mega to cease and desist" "UICI subjected to class-action lawsuit" Go to yahoo and search for "dallas business journal", go to their website and in its search bar search for UICI. There's more in there, but this give the reader and understanding how "MIKE" is trying to mislead you! I went to the "FITCH" website and could not obtain any info "MIKE". You're just dropping names. "MIKE", I await your next response. You do need to get your act together because you put this in twice: I am not a licensed insurance broker and I am not paid buy Cornerstone America. It's self evident that you're not an insurance broker because that requires and education. You definitely can't spell. I hope Cornerstone isn't paying you, because if they are, it's a waste of money that can be better spent on legal counsel when lawsuits are filed against them. Look forward to hearing from you MIKE or TODD KLEIN or whatever you name is. CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Mike

Lakeland,
Tennessee,
U.S.A.

I've done the research

#22Consumer Suggestion

Thu, April 20, 2006

The information I'm providing is from extensive research done using all main search engines. I am not an insurance agent and I am not paid by Cornerstone America, I'm a former investigator with the Inspector Generals Office, U.S. Army Cornerstone America (CA) is not only a legitimate company but if you do your research into why a company like "The Blackstone Group" would want to buy UICI (now HealthMarkets) and take it private, you would be amazed at what you find. In every large multi-million dollar business that uses independent contractors you will find those that want to use short cuts and follow practices that are unethicial. That is a small minority and in no-way should they be looked at as the way the company opporates as a whole. When they are discovered, and they are, they are dealt with to the full extent of the law. Fitch Ratings Ltd gave the insurance side of CA an A- which was downgrade from an "A" due to, this is my opinion, the resent merger. But they give them an Outlook as "Stable." CA nor Mega Life pay for such a report, so is it legitimate? Yes Is HealthMarkets (former UICI) on the cutting edge? Yes In a resent article dtd April 7, 2006 The Dallas Business Journal (article title "Insurance compaines talk about prices) wrote and I quote: A local insurer, North Richland Hills-based UICI, already has jumped into the transparency game. The company offers its small-to-mid-size business clients and individual members a comparision tool which enables individuals to look up both price and quality information on health care providers. (it goes on to say) But the company (UICI) is not a household name like other insurers whose representatives spoke at the meeting, such as industry behemoths "UnitedHealth Group and Aetna," and therefore doesn't get much attention in the industry for its groundbreaking tools. end quote Does this sound like a product that is subpar. No way. When you take the challenge to go into business for yourself there are risks. And it takes a lot of hard work and some financies. The services Cornerstone America provide are, after much research, some of the best,if not the best in the country. I urge you to do your research, lookup Aetna on Rip-off and you will find many complaints there too. Does that mean Aetna is not a legitimate company " a behemoth in the industry?" No, just as Mega Life and Midwest Life of Tennessee are good companies. How could they get such a good rating from an independent firm like Fitch, one of the best in the business if they weren't legitimate? Then look at why The Blackstone Group would want to buy UICI for $1.6 billion, thats right I typed it correct $1.6 billion. The Senior Chairman and Co-Founder is Peter G. Peterson he is the former Director of Sony Corporation, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Federated Department Stores, Black & Decker Manufacturing Company, General Foods, RCA and The Continental Group. Does this sound like someone that would buy a worthless company selling fraudulent policies. The man in-charge of Mergers and Acquisitions is J. Tomilson Hill. He is a Harvard Graduate. He is the Co-Founder of the Mergers and Acquisitions Department for First Boston. After running the Mergers and Acquisitions Department at Smith Barney, he joined Lehman Brothers as a Partner in 1982. Does this sound like a man that doesn't know how to research a companies legitimacy and worth. You must do your research and don't stop just because you find something negative, that will give you a way out from taking a risk. You're already looking for something negative to ease your mind why you shouldn't get involved. Is this company perfect? No There aren't any, remember ENRON, Worldcom, as long as companies are ran by men, there will be problems. Don't let that stop you from becoming successful. I am not a licensed insurance broker and I am not paid buy Cornerstone America, I'm only speaking from a research stand point. Before you say don't get involved and ruin an opportunity that may change your life, look at everything, from front to back. Some information you have provided in your comments aren't acurate and you are doing the same thing you're accusing them of, mis-information. Yes, there have been court filing against this company, but if you go further you will find the outcome is positive for the company. Because in most cases they went above the requirements by the courts. They corrected what was wrong and in all the cases I can find, using FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)and local court documents the company is in good standing and doing business in those states. As stated previously, this is a multi-million dollar company ($350 million plus) with thousands of independent contractors and not all of them have high standards, but if more GOOD people with high morals and ethics would get involved, that want to work hard, could you imagine what kind of company it would be. There is so much more I've found but time doesn't permit me to continue. Sorry for the mis-spellings. Some people mis-spell words just because they are typing fast and are running out of time, don't judge so quickly, it may not tell you as much as you think. Mike Retired Soldier "God Bless America"

Reports & Rebuttal

Complaint Review: Cornerstone America - Bedford Texas

Cornerstone America - Mid-West National - UICI ripoff Do Not Sign Up With These People!! Bedford Texas

*Consumer Suggestion: I've done the research

*Consumer Comment: Mike, your are lying, stupid, or both!

*Consumer Suggestion: Just the facts

*Consumer Suggestion: Just the facts

*Consumer Suggestion: Just the facts

*Consumer Suggestion: Just the facts

*Author of original report: Keep sticking to your guns Mike from Tennessee

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Posting this Because Cornerstone and UGA are Sister Companies

*Author of original report: You never addressed the REAL ISSUE "MIKE"!

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Mike - Stop it. Please.

*Consumer Suggestion: Found on the Texas Department of Insurance website

*Author of original report: "MIKE" you're full of it.

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Fraud

*Consumer Comment: I'm with you 100% Leonard

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: How about a little truth, guys!

*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Mike is half correct about his findings

* : TOM FROM DALLAS IS 100% CORRECT

*Consumer Comment: I was contacted today by Todd Klein

*Consumer Comment: North Richland Hills insurance company again runs afoul of state regulator

*Author of original report: Thank you...

*Author of original report: Glad I could help

21 Updates & Rebuttals

Glad I could help

Thank you...

North Richland Hills insurance company again runs afoul of state regulator

TOM FROM DALLAS IS 100% CORRECT

I was contacted today by Todd Klein

Mike is half correct about his findings

How about a little truth, guys!

I'm with you 100% Leonard

Fraud

"MIKE" you're full of it.

Found on the Texas Department of Insurance website

Mike - Stop it. Please.

You never addressed the REAL ISSUE "MIKE"!

Posting this Because Cornerstone and UGA are Sister Companies

Keep sticking to your guns Mike from Tennessee

Just the facts

Just the facts

Just the facts

Just the facts

Mike, your are lying, stupid, or both!

I've done the research

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