Complaint Review: United Benefits Of America - Brentwood Tennessee

I have worked for UBA for 3 weeks now and I can say without hesitation that it is made very clear during training with this company that they are very compliance conscience about what you can and cannot say. I too have seen UBA fine its represenatives for various reasons. I believe with all of my being that the products we offer really do help those who have no other sources for their health benefits because of pre-existing conditions. It is better to have whatever benefits are available to them than to have no health benefits at all. As far as UBA telling us to talk tough to these potential clients, this is just not true. I believe that as long as you are honest and up-front in your presentation that the benefits we offer will speak for themselves. Jerry

As a new employee, I actually payed very close attention to the recent negative postings regarding United Benefit. I obviously had concerns regarding the company I now worked for. After the training process and then seeing how things work day to day, I can assure anyone that they should feel more than comfortable doing business with United Benefits. I have seen nothing but professionalism and an ethical workplace. Deception is not only not encouraged, it is a fineable offense. I see these fines happen, not because of the deceptiveness of the employees, but simple mistake. Verification and information redundancy correct these slip ups. To say these things are common or encouraged is misinformative and irresponsible. I cannot speak of those who have posted otherwise, only what I see every day at United Benefits. But do your own research before you make up your mind.

Response Hello my name is Ed and I am a supervisor here at United Benefits of America. In as much as I have watched this saga unfold over the past few months I have primarily ignored it knowing that most intelligent people see this for what it is, that being a couple of disgruntled ex-employee's spewing venom for what ever reason they chose to. But as both Farah's and Sona's immediate supervisor and as these attacks have become more frequent and more vengeful I feel compelled to respond. First let me say that I have nothing but respect for both of these Ladies as they were both assigned to be members of my Team here at United Benefits of America. And I know that they have respect for me as well. That being said there are truths and there are falsehoods with both of their statements. TRUTH both of these ladies were employed here and TRUTH neither of these ladies are currently employed here. Every thing else is going to fall into the FALSEHOOD category. As the manager that trained both ladies when they began working with this company they were both told by me on numerous occasions to never misrepresent any product that we sell in any way. Now if they respond with anything different, well it would be an out right lie. There are several things I find odd about these postings that both of these ladies have been writing. In all of their statements they have never once mentioned the compliance department that we have in place strictly to make sure that all products are represented in a true and actual manor. This department's only objective is to monitor calls. I also find it odd that they never mention the Third Party Verification that all clients must go through before any benefit package can be activated. If by chance the representative did slip past our compliance department with a misrepresentation of a product this Third Party Verification insures that all clients have a full understanding of the product they are about to purchase. This verification is done by an outside administer that has no affiliation with our company or any company that we represent. That third party verification is as follows. We welcome you as a member of ________. After any question you can have that question repeated by pressing the * key at the tone please state your full name and address. For verification purposes and to confirm that you are an authorized decision maker, please state the last four digits of your social security number. You understand that _________ is a membership association that contracts with companies to provide access to benefits such as; insured benefits through licensed insurance companies, reduced rates at network doctors and hospitals, lifestyle benefits, discount benefits, and legal and financial benefits. To confirm after the tone say yes or no. You understand that by using a participating beech street provider or facility you may receive the pre-negotiated contracted rates that can reduce the amount of the original bill, and is not a payment by the insurance company. There is no guarantee of the amount of the reduction, but the average is between 25-30 %. To confirm after the tone say yes or no. You understand as a member once your bill has been reduced and the insured benefits are paid, any remaining balance is your responsibility. To confirm after the tone say yes or no. You understand the insurance benefits included in your plan are subject to exclusions and limitations. The insurance benefits except for doctors office visits, have a 30 day waiting period and do not provide for loss due to pre-existing conditions for 12 months from the effective membership date. To confirm after the tone say yes or no. You understand that this is not a major medical health insurance and you have not been advised to cancel any current health plan. You also understand that you are entitled to a refund if notification is received by ___________ within 30 days of shipment of the membership materials. To confirm after the tone say yes or no. You have been set up for the hassle free payment plan that will automatically allow your bank or credit card to be charged each month. Your representative will now come on the line and state your first months charge and your monthly charge thereafter. Do you authorize the amount of charges as stated? To confirm after the tone say yes or no. Now if the client answers no to any of the above questions the entire benefit package is voided and sent back to the representative to go over the plan with the client again. This is a 3 point check system to make sure that all clients have a full understanding of there benefit package. The compliance department with fines and penalties in place. The manager that reiterates the entire benefit plan to the client and last the Third Party Verification process that insures the client agrees with all parts of there benefit package and the charges. If this in anyway is misleading I would sure like to know how. As for Farah's issue with her last check all new hires here at United Benefits Of America sign a waiver stating that they understand that their last check will be held for 14 days to insure that any charge backs are removed from their final check Farah signed this as well but for what ever reason she felt she is above the rules of this office. Now as for Sona although a brilliant young lady her work ethic is less than desirable, In the roughly 45 days that she was employed here she was tardy 10 days and was absent 4 days. As a new hire at any company I implore you to explain to me where this type of behavior is acceptable much less encouraged. In conclusion I would like to say that all of this saddens me deeply and I wish nothing but the best for both of these ladies in what ever career path they chose. Hopefully this has clarified any allegations of misrepresentation by this office. Sincerely Ed Phillips Senior Benefit Supervisor.

I also worked for United Benefits of America for a little over a month from May 08-June 2008. I have fully read, understood, and do confirm the facts stated by Farah on this report as being true. I would like to make an initial apology at this time to each and every individual I had presented this product to. I have wronged you and mislead you. I did this unknowlingly and was doing my job by following the script I was supposed to. It took me hours to find the actual booklet that clients receive up to 20 days after enrolling and processing payment. After reading the actual plan booklet, one can conclude that this plan is of little to no use to people with pre-existing medical conditions and for anyone else for that matter. Just hours after I gathered the true information of what I was soliciting, complete with all disclosures, exclusions, and limitations, I resigned from my position. I know that my apology does not make what I have done acceptable, but an investigation is in fact taking place at a state and national level to prevent anyone else from being victimized. I will make an official public apology at a later time. If you are in the market for health insurance or medical discount plans etc., before enrolling in ANY policy, I strongly urge you to FIGHT FAKE INSURANCE. STOP. CALL. AND CONFIRM with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Tennessee residents call: 1-800-342-4029 or go to www.naic.org . You can play this Public Service Announcement from Commissioner Newman at www.state.tn.us/commerce.

The latest response is totally fabricated. I did not fail to make the grade, nor did I create discourse among my peers. Actually, two other female employees quit and followed me to another job because they were disgusted with the same observations I made. I have had a successful career over 30 years in real estate and the automobile industry, often earning six figures. The only reason I changed careers was because I am also a musician and was seeking employment with evenings and weekends off. I'm not certain, but I believe the last respondent is a step-daughter of the owner. Regardless, I have cleared my conscience. Any potential victim of United Benefits of America's ruthless sales tactics who is interested in researching their decision should be able to find my report. That is my sole purpose for filing this "BAD BUSINESS" report on United Benefits of America (UBA). I do not need to defend myself. I have better things to do. It is my sincere desire that those who enter into an agreement with UBA do so with the full knowledge of what they are and are not receiving in exchange for their hard-earned dollars. That is what this is all about. If UBA operates their business in a legal and morally-ethical manner, then I have no problem. But as they know, it would not be difficult for me to gather countless ex-employees to substantiate my statements here. I already have volunteers, if necessary. *smile* Perhaps they will know when to stop while they are ahead.

I have worked for United Benefits of America LLC ( Tim Thomas) for a year now and he is a great CEO better to his employees and benefit specialist than most, does a lot for them we sell health benefits through national association groups and provide a variety of different products to many people and help thousands a week, I do feel this was just a mad ex-benefit consultant who is not happy about having to leave our company, the real reason she is not here lack of production, creating inter office turmoil and disharmony. All of our products are from Top Rated companies. All of the scrips and procedures are put through rigorous compliance review by the legal department of the companies we represent. Regarding the erroneous allegation of holding her last commission check, it is company policy to pay its employees and sales people on a one week hold back which is common practice among many companies. Further, each sales person acknowledges by virtue of his/her signature that the final commission check can be held up to three weeks. This is to allow sufficent time to reverse any commissions lost as a result of a cancelled plan. Generally, we do process the final commission check prior to three weeks, and in most cases, within a week. In conclusion, I have have seen no evidence what so ever as to any validity of the allegations presented above regarding misrepresentation of the plans offered. Again the above allegations represent nothing more than the frustrations of a disgruntle sells person who couldn't make the grade. Any questions please call me I would be more than happy to anwser any questions. Thank You Krista Whisman

I have worked for United Benefits of America LLC ( Tim Thomas) for a year now and he is a great CEO better to his employees and benefit specialist than most, does a lot for them we sell health benefits through national association groups and provide a variety of different products to many people and help thousands a week, I do feel this was just a mad ex-benefit consultant who is not happy about having to leave our company, the real reason she is not here lack of production, creating inter office turmoil and disharmony. All of our products are from Top Rated companies. All of the scrips and procedures are put through rigorous compliance review by the legal department of the companies we represent. Regarding the erroneous allegation of holding her last commission check, it is company policy to pay its employees and sales people on a one week hold back which is common practice among many companies. Further, each sales person acknowledges by virtue of his/her signature that the final commission check can be held up to three weeks. This is to allow sufficent time to reverse any commissions lost as a result of a cancelled plan. Generally, we do process the final commission check prior to three weeks, and in most cases, within a week. In conclusion, I have have seen no evidence what so ever as to any validity of the allegations presented above regarding misrepresentation of the plans offered. Again the above allegations represent nothing more than the frustrations of a disgruntle sells person who couldn't make the grade. Any questions please call me I would be more than happy to anwser any questions. Thank You Krista Whisman

I have worked for United Benefits of America LLC ( Tim Thomas) for a year now and he is a great CEO better to his employees and benefit specialist than most, does a lot for them we sell health benefits through national association groups and provide a variety of different products to many people and help thousands a week, I do feel this was just a mad ex-benefit consultant who is not happy about having to leave our company, the real reason she is not here lack of production, creating inter office turmoil and disharmony. All of our products are from Top Rated companies. All of the scrips and procedures are put through rigorous compliance review by the legal department of the companies we represent. Regarding the erroneous allegation of holding her last commission check, it is company policy to pay its employees and sales people on a one week hold back which is common practice among many companies. Further, each sales person acknowledges by virtue of his/her signature that the final commission check can be held up to three weeks. This is to allow sufficent time to reverse any commissions lost as a result of a cancelled plan. Generally, we do process the final commission check prior to three weeks, and in most cases, within a week. In conclusion, I have have seen no evidence what so ever as to any validity of the allegations presented above regarding misrepresentation of the plans offered. Again the above allegations represent nothing more than the frustrations of a disgruntle sells person who couldn't make the grade. Any questions please call me I would be more than happy to anwser any questions. Thank You Krista Whisman

I have worked for United Benefits of America LLC ( Tim Thomas) for a year now and he is a great CEO better to his employees and benefit specialist than most, does a lot for them we sell health benefits through national association groups and provide a variety of different products to many people and help thousands a week, I do feel this was just a mad ex-benefit consultant who is not happy about having to leave our company, the real reason she is not here lack of production, creating inter office turmoil and disharmony. All of our products are from Top Rated companies. All of the scrips and procedures are put through rigorous compliance review by the legal department of the companies we represent. Regarding the erroneous allegation of holding her last commission check, it is company policy to pay its employees and sales people on a one week hold back which is common practice among many companies. Further, each sales person acknowledges by virtue of his/her signature that the final commission check can be held up to three weeks. This is to allow sufficent time to reverse any commissions lost as a result of a cancelled plan. Generally, we do process the final commission check prior to three weeks, and in most cases, within a week. In conclusion, I have have seen no evidence what so ever as to any validity of the allegations presented above regarding misrepresentation of the plans offered. Again the above allegations represent nothing more than the frustrations of a disgruntle sells person who couldn't make the grade. Any questions please call me I would be more than happy to anwser any questions. Thank You Krista Whisman

Trying to discredit me personally does not nullify the predatory practices of your employer. My complaint was not intended to focus on the shortchanging of my final check, but my observation of the company's misleading pressure tactics of marketing a rather obscure benefit association membership as a health insurance plan to those individuals grasping at affordable health coverage, often in their time of need. You know it's true.

The need to address the personal attacks and accusations of a disgruntaled former employee are the most difficult to rebutt. As stated in the presentation this individual was not involved with the company for any length of time that would have given them the insight to sustain the amount of venom contained in this memo. It is highly unusual to attack the CEO of a corporation in such a personal and blatant fashion. But more importantly the fact that this individual has since gone on to other employment and based on legal information inquring about the past association with this company, this individual seems to have a pattern of abusing the system when not happy with the status quo. Let's just say, that if the "worst" that can be said is that "all they got" was their final paycheck and that was not enough, then all is well that ends well.