Anonymous

Denied coverage knowing that they had inadequate information

Goldenrule worked with American Medical Security to deny coverage yet they stated that they had not received adequate records to make a determination. I believe that their process is intentionally designed to create obstacles so that the customer will give up. Both companies are owned by the same parent companies. Representatives from both companies say that the problem is due to the other company. They say I have no choice but to go through an appeal process if I want them to reconsider their decision. I asked why they did not contact the doctor for the additional information and they said that they don't do that, they contact once and that is it. I talked to the medical records people at the doctor's office and the hospital and they did not contact the hospital for records. They say that even if I get the records for them, I have to appeal the decision.
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Loss:
$1700
1 comment
Guest

I have been trying to get approved since early June and still nothing. It seems every little obstacle they can throw at me they have. So your complaint makes complete sense to me.

Anonymous
map-marker Grand Rapids, Michigan

Stay away

This company interviewed me over the phone for coverage and accepted me. Then SIX months later said I had lied on my application (which they took over the phone)and cancelled my health coverage RETROACTIVELY. Do yourself a favor and go to any other insurance company. In the letter they sent, the person said to call a specific number if I had any questions and then my call was not connected by the "service center." Some service center, huh? I will never, ever do business with them in any way. It's a scam operation and they don't provide any value to their customers.
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2 comments
Guest

It sounds like this could be avoided by not lying on an insurance application.

Guest

I agree. This is a lousy insurance who only takes people's premiums and don't do anything for consumers.

I have cancelled it after 4 months and gone directly with the the insurance carriers. Golden Rule is not a direct insurance company but affiliate to insurance carriers.

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Anonymous
map-marker Miami, Florida

Golden Rule Insurance is a disgrace to shady insurance company's around the country.

Golden Rule Insurance is a disgrace to shady insurance company's around the country. The steal money over charge you and then tell you cant send you an email when you cancel. then I call in and they tell me they will email what we discussed and it never was sent to me. This company has horrible customers service and there agents leave out important information so they can charge you more money for health insurance with less coverage. Golden Rule Insurance is a disgrace to shady insurance company's around the country. The steal money over charge you and then tell you cant send you an email when you cancel. then I call in and they tell me they will email what we discussed and it never was sent to me. This company has horrible customers service and there agents leave out important information so they can charge you more money for health insurance with less coverage.
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1 comment
Guest

Maybe you should read up on the policy before applying instead of blaming the agent.

Alera Pjk
map-marker Richmond, Virginia

BEWARE of Golden Rule Insurance

They slipped a little clause into our personal insurance that stated there was a 6 month waiting period on "middle ear disorders". Apparently GR interprets this to include ear INFECTIONS and denied all claims for seasonal cold/ear infections. All the pediatricians we talked to, along with insurance agents were flabbergasted, they had never heard of the term "disorder" being interpreted to include infections. Our 3 kids had a cold that they passed between themselves this past fall/winter and as with most kids, it ended up going to their ears, so we're now out 6-7 visits for ear infections...to the tune of ~$1000! Do not buy golden rule insurance, it's a rip off and won't cover the most common kid ailments!
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Loss:
$1100
Yerachmiel Cpe
map-marker Columbus, Ohio

Premium Increase

I have been a Golden Rule Insurance customer since July of 2009. At that time my premium was only $58. This is just a simple individual policy with minimum coverage. Since then, the premium has been increased to $77. Then I recieved a letter about a month ago that it was going to increase to $97. I cannot afford this. I called the company asking them to keep the price at $77 and they wouldn't do it. There was nothing they could do. So I cancelled. It's dumb business practice because now they're losing money by not having me as a faithful customer when they could've continued getting $77 a month from me. And I usually only go to the doctor like twice a year. Dumb dumb dumb.
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Loss:
$77
1 comment
Guest

Why Golden Rule Insurance does not give its Email address to the costumers? It does not want let the people to have a copy of their letters in the future and make any document against them.

All companies give the people their email address bu this one.

Anonymous
map-marker Miami, Florida

Laboratory Exclusivity with Labquest

We have Golden Rule.

Golden Rule only uses LABCORP for laboratory tests.

Getting an prompt early appointment is IMPOSSIBLE.

3 times i had to complain and get a manager.

My first, impossible to get appointment. Time constriction forced me to go to Quest. They have no agreement with Golden Rule. The lady felt sooo bad for my ordeal, she phoned Quest Corp and GOLDEN RULE and got a green light to do tests.

2 months later and to my surprise, i get is 4 invoices from Quest for almost $5,000 for me to pay because Golden Rule did not pay my labs. I AM SO MAD I FEEL THAT THIS IS SO UNFAIR I THINK I AM GOING TO BLOW UP...

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Loss:
$5000
mick Lhb

Golden rule is a rip off

After a year with extremly poor service and a rate increase of over 30% I cancelled the service. It was to end by Jan 15, it did not in fact they charged me again another $450 out of my checking account. I then got a letter stating that the next payment will be drafted on my next draft date!!! wait a minute I cancelled!! With this issue support is non-existant I have been trying to cancel for over 2 months. The American way bend over ! Just another example of big companies getting away with anything they want, the government letting them and us little guys have to pay and pay . This should be a crime like robbing a bank. What is the definition of "the golden rule"? google it. This company is far from that definition!
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Loss:
$450
Matilynn Tny
map-marker Lincoln, Nebraska

Rip Off

I applied for insurance over the internet. They make you put your bank info on the application. Two days after I filled out the application they took money out of my bank account. I haven't even recieved anything saying I was approved. I called there number and they said my claim was denined and I told the lady they were taking money out of my account. She said I had to file a cancelation then it would take up to 2 weeks to get my money back. What a rip off! They should immediately put that money back into my bank account.
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Anonymous
map-marker Denver, Colorado

Classic Reason we need Health Care Reform

All the previous complaints are completely true. I experienced EVERY one of them. Needed affordable coverage - was quoted (after several long interviews and complete disclosure) a price - was delivered a "program" that covered NOTHING that they quoted me. None of this you know until you or your doctor files a claim. Then you get an EOB (HA) that says NON COVERED CHARGES. I am certain that the first thing ever done in response to any claim is to first issue an EOB that states it is non-covered and they assume you won't have the energy to fight them. Any steps taken after that are met with "Go to our website" And the premiums go up whenever the CEO wants to buy a new house. Stated the doctor's visits are not covered but would apply toward deductable - when claim submitted they then tell you the only thing that goes to deductables are the claims they pay. WHICH ARE NONE!!!!! they have not paid ONE penny toward anything. The annual exams supposedly covered will issue an EOB stated non-covered charges until you call in tears and then they say "well the code is not for an annual" - the doctor's code was correct and they input it wrong and will not budge. "I can't help you" - "go to our website and you can see your "benefits" is all the people on the phone ever say. They know you will buckle because you are powerless against them. They know you can't afford a lawyer to help you because you - they hold all the cards... and your money.
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Loss:
$7200
Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Golden Rule rip off

No change in health status. My bill went up $20 just because they decided to defined it as a "rate change in my area". I haven't changed! I'm healthy. Why am I paying more? Not only that but their premiums are high. I also have no dental. They try to county anything they can as a pre-existing condition as well. I am currently going to drop this insurance and shop elsewhere. I could understand if I had presented with several doctors appointments and looked to be a risk. Their underwriters are just filling in gaps wherever they can and collecting and bleeding money from their customers. I'm over it.
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Loss:
$2400
1 comment
Linda B Paz

I can agree completely with all of these complaints. Their CEO is paid among the highest in the country, millions of dollars per year.

It is no wonder that they don't pay their claims. Don't do business with these people. There is one response from Indianapolis here, and it is probably from a company rep defending the insurance industry. Don't pay any attention to him.

We paid hundreds of dollars per month and get nothing.

ty b Drx
map-marker Mount Laurel, New Jersey

GOLDEN RULE INSURANCE "don't SIGN it!!

i was browsing for health insurance on a friday afternoon. i filled out the application on line. i had set up the application for electronic withdrawl. BEFORE i signed electronically i called a rep from the company to make sure my initial payment would not be withdrawn from my account without notification from GOLDEN RULE INSURANCE. the rep told me it would be at least a week or so until anything like that would happen, i said great because i could not afford for this to happen for at least a week. imagine my shock when i logged into my bank account at 8:00am on monday morning and my account was shy the amount they told me would not be taken. i called them immediately to not only tell them i wanted my money back, but also to tell them i would not be needing their services. i was told on that monday i would have my money back into my account by wednesday. on wednesday, still no money. i called them back and talked to three different people which the third person told me that i would either have it back in my account that night or the next morning. today is thursday at 11:00 and guess what, still no money. what i don't understand is why did it take them a matter of a few hours to drain my bank account but it has taken them more than three days to return it!
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Loss:
$264
Anonymous
map-marker Jackson, Mississippi

"Rate Change"

Golden Rule Insurance is the biggest fraud ever.....they don't cover anything and on a whim, they claim they have had a "rate change that may cause a financial strain" on me and others. How dare they!!! The won't pay for anything, make the insurance unaffordable unless you select a $10,000 or more deductible and deny any claim that's made. Why do the state Ins Depts allow them to get away with this? I'm going to make an official complaint to my Ins Dept and demand to know why they approve these bogus "rate changes" and post a warning to potential Golden Rule customers on Consumer Affairs.com web site. They take your money and give nothing in return. A fraud and a scam company...
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1 comment
Guest

the thing is, people want health insurance to cover any and everything but don't want to pay hardly anything for it. that isn't how it works.

why don't you try going into wal-mart and say "i want to pay $5.00 but get about $1,000 worth of groceries". they won't do it. health insurance is a business too. rates could be lowered as well if doctors and hospitals didn't charge tons of money for a procedure.

it's not the health insurance company ripping you off. ask you doctor what it costs to have bloodwork done, to have an x-ray done or a needed MRI. My MRI was $4,000 and I only paid about $300 with a network discount and such.

But tell me why it has to be $4000 in the first place. it's inexcusable.

scottperdue P
map-marker Dallas, Texas

Golden Rule Insurance Has Deceptive Enrollment Practices

I am unemployed and my COBRA insurance ran out so I enrolled for health insurance with Golden Rule as they had the best prices for what I needed. I listed my child's Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and her medication as a pre-existing condition. I chose this policy because my child's doctor is in there network and the medication she needs is on the list of covered drugs. I didn't try to hide anything. Why would I enroll for a policy that did not cover a pre-existing condition? They have covered the medications for the first 9 months and now they have denied the pharmacy coverage for this medication because I didn't enroll for "Mental Heatlh" coverage. I asked them why they have covered it for 9 months and they told me that it was an "error" in their system, but they weren't going to try to collect any additional money from me (like they are doing me a favor). I asked why I wasn't notified of this "change" so I could make other arrangements. The first person I spoke to said they sent a letter, which I told them that they did not. The next person I spoke to pulled up my account and said that there was no record of notification sent out. I then asked about adding the coverage and they said that I couldn't change the policy. I asked if I could cancel my policy and then enroll for a policy with the needed coverage. I was told that if I re-enroll with their company within 6 months of cancellation that I have to enroll in the same plan that I had before. I told them that no where in the enrollment was I made aware that I needed additional coverage and that the approved contract they sent me included the pre-existing condition but did not note that it was not covered. I asked to speak with a manager and the customer service rep refused and said she would have someone contact me within 24 hours. I got a voicemail from another person who just read me the same script that the others did, and never explained why I wasn't notified, and they did not leave me a direct phone number to contact them if I had any questions. They only left a first name and the customer service 800 number so I may never be able to track this person down. I have reviewed my policy and enrollment papers and while in the billing section there is no dollar amount being charged for Mental Health Coverage, I found that the pre-existing ADD I disclosed on the questionaire is listed under "Brain and Nervous System". There were no medical conditions or any sub-category listed as "Mental Health" on the questionaire. This sure smells like Golden Rule has reclassified the condition as "Mental Health" in order to deny prescription coverage and save money. If the insurance company doesn't get this fixed it will cost me 3 times more to purchase this medication without the insurance coverage. I have already contacted the Insurance Commissioner's Office in my State and will also register the complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
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3 comments
Guest

I have also just learned that the anti-depressive medication I have been on for several years, and that Golden Rule has covered 'in error' for the past 4 months since my policy began will not be covered. Not only will they not cover it, but they now state that they do not cover any mental illness or nervous conditions period.

I would have been able to add a rider to the policy to get coverage but had to have done so before the free-low (?) period had ended. As I did not know they had stopped covering my medication until this week when the pharmacy notified me (had assumed it was covered as they had covered it until now) I had no way of realizing that I needed to add a rider within the 'free-low' period.

We worked with an insurance agent to find a policy that would work for us given our needs, - my medications being fully disclosed and listed for the coverage needed. I will also contact the Insurance Commissioner's office in my state and report to the BBB.

Guest

I once worked for GoldenRule and first thing to know is that they do just about anything to keep the call from a supervisor. Most of the time the reason is that the supervisor doesn't take phone calls often and you are much better off talking to representatives to get an answer.

Their termination policy is quite ridiculious, but is meant to protect themselves because they give good rates to people to get them to sign up and this is the only way to basically get money for rate increases. I know that their policies now have an option for mental health and is not included in the original policy because they consider it a optional benefit and would have increased your premium if you had added it to the initial policy.

Guest

They did the same thing to me with the same type of medication. ugh what a bunch of bull

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Anonymous
map-marker Scottsdale, Arizona

Golden Rule.... Customer Service

After yet another rate increase ( 3rd one in 3 years ) they have now started billing $10.00 a month just to send me a bill. After telling 4 departments I do not want or need a bill, they keep sending the bill and keep charging me. After a WEEK ( no lie ) and 5 calls to them, they refuse to stop billing me or charging the fee. TODAY I switched to a different company....I am no longer a Golden Rule customer ( after 3 years )... Crooked thieves... the attitude I got from them was nothing short of HOSTILE.... Just another Insurance company....they have quite an attitude....
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donna Jil
map-marker Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Watch out smokers - they pull a bait and switch

I went online to get quotes for health insurance. Golden Rule was cheapest at 121.13 for nonsmokers and 156.39 for smokers. I smoke about 6-8 cigarettes a day, and had no problem paying the 35.00 difference. Imagine my surprise when I got my policy and my quoted rate has increased to 199.21 because I am a smoker!! The 35.00 difference turned into a 78.00 difference. I have no preexisting conditions and take no medications, and was told on the phone that the increase was because I am a smoker. How can a company quote a rate for being a smoker, when they know *** well they are going to charge more. I could understand it if I was a heavy smoker, but I'm not. Unfortunately, the competition charges the same or a little more, so I am probably stuck with this policy.
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1 comment
Guest

It is all done during an underwriting process where they go through your medical records. Most people do not understand the process or think that conditions that cause an increase are not serious but can cost insurance companies a lot of money with claims.