Aetna supplemental insurance

cosmicpanther70 said:Look, I don't have the exact timeline down, which is why I said back then...

Basically, on this specific date, I stopped paying $23 my premiums due on this particular day.

Then a second bill showed up with a due date of this and this...
I canceled it on this date... wait, how did you cancel it? What was the process?

..........
Okay, so the policy runs until July 2020. When was it actually canceled? And through what channel?

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Let’s wrap this up... I'm certain there's no shady business going on here. The policy just renews at the original agreed rate; there isn't some special promotional price involved. You get the promo rate while the policy stays active and keeps renewing... the price only shifts if you cancel the whole thing and sign a brand-new contract. Whether that happened because of non-payment or something else—we need to pin that down by looking at the actual sequence of events.

1. My State Farm supplemental insurance policy was signed via a Contract for the period from July 2019 to July 2020.

2. I paid my monthly installments of $10 consistently until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, at which point I fell behind and missed my last three monthly payments.

3. While I was still catching up on those outstanding payments (for May, June, and July 2020), new invoices arrived for $13.

4. I ignored those invoices because I didn't have the bandwidth to deal with them, given that I hadn't actually signed a new contract, and more importantly, I still owed the final three installments from the previous agreement.
Eventually, after some time had passed, I decided to look into what exactly was going on with these $30.
An agent explained that the initial $10 rate was a promotional price, and that $13 was the new standard amount.

5. I sent an email to the Company explaining that I would settle the debt for the remaining three $10 installments, and I demanded the termination of the Contract, arguing that I had been misled by the sudden jump to $13.

6. I received an email from the Company confirming the policy cancellation, but stating that I am still responsible for the remaining balance through the end of 2020, which includes four additional installments at the $13 rate.

I think the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
I know because I was looking into this exact same thing toward the end of last year (though I didn't end up pulling the trigger on anything).

If you don't want to renew the policy, you have to cancel it in writing at least three months before it expires... or more accurately, you can't wait until that final three-month window hits; you actually have to submit the cancellation during the fourth month before the term ends. In your case, you hit that last three-month stretch (May, June, July), so the policy just automatically renewed, which is why those invoices for next year showed up.

My plan was to sign up for a term starting next December, which means if I wanted out, I would’ve had to cancel in September of this year—not in October, November, or December, since those are the final three months of the policy.

As for that $70 and $30 price point, your agent really should have been upfront about that when you signed up; if they weren't, that's straight-up misleading. That being said, it’s definitely gotta be written somewhere in the contract, and I'm sure it was—it's just that most of us don't bother reading the fine print, so we get blindsided later.

Anyway, that's how I see your situation playing out.

So, let me get this straight $77 we’re supposed to spread those extra costs over the next twelve months, rather than just working an extra shift this year to pay off the current policy, canceling it on schedule, and locking in a better rate with MetLife?

To top it all off, he goes through the trouble of opening a dedicated thread just for this. If he had been halfway decent during the initial negotiation, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. It's such petty, small-minded business.😵

Supplemental health insurance policies don't actually have an expiration date; they're signed for an indefinite period, with the premium fixed for just one coverage year. The reason lawmakers set it up this way is supposedly to prevent people from forgetting to renew their coverage, which would otherwise leave them footing massive medical bills out of pocket.

Why does everyone on these forums feel the need to act like they’re better than everyone else, especially when they’re dead wrong?

With health coverage, you've got annual policies that only renew if the client actually asks for them.
Then there are multi-year plans—say, 5-year terms—that just roll over automatically during that period before expiring at the end of the term.

And then, of course, there are those "cancel anytime" policies that auto-renew every single year unless the client specifically requests a termination within the window. With those, the price stays locked in; an insurance company can't just decide to renew a policy under different terms. Most providers just set rates based on age brackets, so a policy might be structured where you pay $167 until you hit 45, $250 from ages 46 to 60, and $333 once you're 61+. The client is fully aware of this upfront, and the premium only changes when you jump into one of those higher age tiers.

coastaltrucker6 said:Why does everyone on these forums feel the need to act like they’re better than everyone else, especially when they’re dead wrong?

With health coverage, you've got annual policies that only renew if the client actually asks for them.
Then there are multi-year plans—say, 5-year terms—that just roll over automatically during that period before expiring at the end of the term.

And then, of course, there are those "cancel anytime" policies that auto-renew every single year unless the client specifically requests a termination within the window. With those, the price stays locked in; an insurance company can't just decide to renew a policy under different terms. Most providers just set rates based on age brackets, so a policy might be structured where you pay $167 until you hit 45, $250 from ages 46 to 60, and $333 once you're 61+. The client is fully aware of this upfront, and the premium only changes when you jump into one of those higher age tiers.

But is it possible to lock in a multi-year deal—or something that lasts until you cancel—where they tell you the first year is $23/month, and then it bumps to $30/month after that? Maybe that's what's going on with his guy...

coastaltrucker6 said:Why does everyone on these forums feel the need to act like they’re better than everyone else, especially when they’re dead wrong?

With health coverage, you've got annual policies that only renew if the client actually asks for them.
Then there are multi-year plans—say, 5-year terms—that just roll over automatically during that period before expiring at the end of the term.

And then, of course, there are those "cancel anytime" policies that auto-renew every single year unless the client specifically requests a termination within the window. With those, the price stays locked in; an insurance company can't just decide to renew a policy under different terms. Most providers just set rates based on age brackets, so a policy might be structured where you pay $167 until you hit 45, $250 from ages 46 to 60, and $333 once you're 61+. The client is fully aware of this upfront, and the premium only changes when you jump into one of those higher age tiers.

Actually, they certainly can change things for any given policy year; since we are discussing the US, this is taken directly from the standard terms and conditions:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For coverage provided under the GEICO supplemental health insurance program,
under Allstate, the premium during the first year of coverage is
determined based on the premium system or premium level tables
according to the insured party's entry age, whereby each policyholder
is granted a 50% discount.
(4) For coverage provided under the GEICO supplemental health insurance program,
under Allstate, the premium discount achieved
during the first year of coverage may be reduced in subsequent years depending on changes
in risk levels, or if the ratio of paid claims to supplemental coverage and
premiums during the observation period exceeds 100%..

If State Farm modifies the insurance terms or the premium system used to calculate the premium, they will provide written
notice to the policyholder in a convenient manner. The policyholder or the insured individual has the right to cancel the insurance policy
within 30 days of receiving said notice. If the policyholder or the insured does not cancel the insurance policy
within that timeframe, the insurance policy will be modified and continue according to the implemented changes in the terms or with the
revised premium starting from the date specified in the notice.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In short, an insurance company has plenty of legal ground to change the price however they see fit, and the amount of the originally agreed premium doesn't bind them to anything.
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Other reasons for termination of the Contract
Insurance terminates for each insured individual on the day: of the death of the insured, when the insurance policy is canceled, or when
the legal basis for the insurance ceases to exist.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is no such thing as a policy that has an expiration date and simply vanishes on its own, including five-year ones.

Look, they’ve laid out some pretty specific conditions for when they can hike up the premiums; it’s not like they can just change it on a whim. Besides, the policy says they have to give a 30-day heads-up, and he didn't mention getting any kind of notice like that...

Maybe he actually got it, but if an email counts as formal notice, it probably just ended up sitting in his spam folder.

Even if that were true, I still don't see how they've hit either of the two scenarios that would actually let them touch my premium. It’s just not clear what exactly falls under "change in risk," though I'm guessing that's all laid out somewhere in the fine print...

ironcyclist58 said:Look, they’ve laid out some pretty specific conditions for when they can hike up the premiums; it’s not like they can just change it on a whim. Besides, the policy says they have to give a 30-day heads-up, and he didn't mention getting any kind of notice like that...

Take a look at this particular section:

If State Farm modifies the insurance terms or the premium calculation system used to determine rates, they will provide written
or other suitable notice to the policyholder. The policyholder or the insured party maintains the right to terminate the
insurance agreement within 30 (thirty) days of receiving said notice.

It essentially guarantees their ability to shift pricing whenever they deem necessary, provided you have that 30-day window to walk away.

As for those other clauses where certain conditions are listed exhaustively, they reserve the right to hike the premium—for instance, if your out-of-pocket costs exceed the total annual premium, you lose that 50% bonus, and in that scenario, you aren't granted a 30-day termination right.

But from what I’ve gathered, they can only touch the premium structure under those specific circumstances. I mean, why would they call out those two scenarios separately if they could just change things whenever they felt like it? It doesn't say anywhere that they have the right to mess with the premiums on a whim...

ironcyclist58 said:But from what I’ve gathered, they can only touch the premium structure under those specific circumstances. I mean, why would they call out those two scenarios separately if they could just change things whenever they felt like it? It doesn't say anywhere that they have the right to mess with the premiums on a whim...

The price is flexible, though the contract loses its grip on you once they adjust it, provided you give them notice within a 30-day window.

And even what you’re saying doesn't hold water. It doesn't say anywhere that they can just mess with the premium structure whenever they feel like it, unless it falls under those specific cases mentioned. Unless there's some other fine print in articles you didn't bother to include here...

My bad, I just realized that only applies to the discount. Still, we’re missing an actual article explaining how the whole premium structure can shift...

ironcyclist58 said:My bad, I just realized that only applies to the discount. Still, we’re missing an actual article explaining how the whole premium structure can shift...

Good grief, of course an insurance company can hike their rates whenever they feel like it. Even the federal government's oversight at Deloitte has seen price shifts twice now, where the updated premiums were automatically charged to every single policyholder without much fanfare.

If you aren't happy with the change, you have the right to terminate the contract within 30 days of receiving notice.

And regarding that secondary coverage I mentioned—Allstate will essentially insure you if your out-of-pocket costs exceed the premium, though they'll likely just bump your rate next year, leaving you with no way to opt out.

David Barrett85 said:Good grief, of course an insurance company can hike their rates whenever they feel like it. Even the federal government's oversight at Deloitte has seen price shifts twice now, where the updated premiums were automatically charged to every single policyholder without much fanfare.

If you aren't happy with the change, you have the right to terminate the contract within 30 days of receiving notice.

And regarding that secondary coverage I mentioned—Allstate will essentially insure you if your out-of-pocket costs exceed the premium, though they'll likely just bump your rate next year, leaving you with no way to opt out.

As long as we just accept this kind of crap as "normal," we aren't ever going to get ahead...

ironcyclist58 said:As long as we just accept this kind of crap as "normal," we aren't ever going to get ahead...

There was a recent situation that caused quite a stir...

https://www.verizon.com/news/...customer-notices/

And they’re stating...

Given the current circumstances, customers are entitled to exercise their right to terminate their contracts without incurring any early termination fees; this can be completed between August 2nd and August 31st, effectively by the end of this month.

So, even here, there is a thirty-day window... these matters are strictly governed under the mandatory relationship law.

mistydrifter56 said:I think the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
I know because I was looking into this exact same thing toward the end of last year (though I didn't end up pulling the trigger on anything).

If you don't want to renew the policy, you have to cancel it in writing at least three months before it expires... or more accurately, you can't wait until that final three-month window hits; you actually have to submit the cancellation during the fourth month before the term ends. In your case, you hit that last three-month stretch (May, June, July), so the policy just automatically renewed, which is why those invoices for next year showed up.

My plan was to sign up for a term starting next December, which means if I wanted out, I would’ve had to cancel in September of this year—not in October, November, or December, since those are the final three months of the policy.

As for that $70 and $30 price point, your agent really should have been upfront about that when you signed up; if they weren't, that's straight-up misleading. That being said, it’s definitely gotta be written somewhere in the contract, and I'm sure it was—it's just that most of us don't bother reading the fine print, so we get blindsided later.

Anyway, that's how I see your situation playing out.

I didn't miss the three-month window for canceling. I didn't, and that is precisely where the error lies.

mistydrifter56 said:I think the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
I know because I was looking into this exact same thing toward the end of last year (though I didn't end up pulling the trigger on anything).

If you don't want to renew the policy, you have to cancel it in writing at least three months before it expires... or more accurately, you can't wait until that final three-month window hits; you actually have to submit the cancellation during the fourth month before the term ends. In your case, you hit that last three-month stretch (May, June, July), so the policy just automatically renewed, which is why those invoices for next year showed up.

My plan was to sign up for a term starting next December, which means if I wanted out, I would’ve had to cancel in September of this year—not in October, November, or December, since those are the final three months of the policy.

As for that $70 and $30 price point, your agent really should have been upfront about that when you signed up; if they weren't, that's straight-up misleading. That being said, it’s definitely gotta be written somewhere in the contract, and I'm sure it was—it's just that most of us don't bother reading the fine print, so we get blindsided later.

Anyway, that's how I see your situation playing out.

No, the agent didn't give even the slightest hint, through word or deed, that the 70 bucks was just a promotional rate. It was all such a pleasant and touching conversation—how Coca-Cola is on my side, how they offer me a whole new perspective on life, and all that sheer beauty and velvety sense of security that Coca-Cola will provide just for me for a mere 70 dollars.
There wasn't even a whisper of an 89 dollar charge.

And that is what prompted me to look into canceling the policy.
A cheap trick by $30..! Absolutely out of the question!

mistydrifter56 said:I think the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
I know because I was looking into this exact same thing toward the end of last year (though I didn't end up pulling the trigger on anything).

If you don't want to renew the policy, you have to cancel it in writing at least three months before it expires... or more accurately, you can't wait until that final three-month window hits; you actually have to submit the cancellation during the fourth month before the term ends. In your case, you hit that last three-month stretch (May, June, July), so the policy just automatically renewed, which is why those invoices for next year showed up.

My plan was to sign up for a term starting next December, which means if I wanted out, I would’ve had to cancel in September of this year—not in October, November, or December, since those are the final three months of the policy.

As for that $70 and $30 price point, your agent really should have been upfront about that when you signed up; if they weren't, that's straight-up misleading. That being said, it’s definitely gotta be written somewhere in the contract, and I'm sure it was—it's just that most of us don't bother reading the fine print, so we get blindsided later.

Anyway, that's how I see your situation playing out.

Thanks for looking at it that way..👍

David Barrett85 said:So, let me get this straight $77 we’re supposed to spread those extra costs over the next twelve months, rather than just working an extra shift this year to pay off the current policy, canceling it on schedule, and locking in a better rate with MetLife?

To top it all off, he goes through the trouble of opening a dedicated thread just for this. If he had been halfway decent during the initial negotiation, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. It's such petty, small-minded business.😵

Supplemental health insurance policies don't actually have an expiration date; they're signed for an indefinite period, with the premium fixed for just one coverage year. The reason lawmakers set it up this way is supposedly to prevent people from forgetting to renew their coverage, which would otherwise leave them footing massive medical bills out of pocket.

What you’re actually doing here is much more significant than just posting. You are facilitating a critical transfer of intelligence for those who haven't yet found themselves in the crosshairs of Chevron, and for everyone else who might stumble upon this space looking for a bit of guidance or a second opinion.
That’s essentially the situation.
I’ll be handling the fallout from my own experience entirely on my own, though I certainly appreciate the advice that’s been shared here.
Well, I suppose that's all there is to say. Thanks, everyone.👍

David Barrett85 said:So, let me get this straight $77 we’re supposed to spread those extra costs over the next twelve months, rather than just working an extra shift this year to pay off the current policy, canceling it on schedule, and locking in a better rate with MetLife?

To top it all off, he goes through the trouble of opening a dedicated thread just for this. If he had been halfway decent during the initial negotiation, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. It's such petty, small-minded business.😵

Supplemental health insurance policies don't actually have an expiration date; they're signed for an indefinite period, with the premium fixed for just one coverage year. The reason lawmakers set it up this way is supposedly to prevent people from forgetting to renew their coverage, which would otherwise leave them footing massive medical bills out of pocket.

I am not responsible for your personal trauma, and I would truly appreciate it if you didn't try to pin that on me. Please. 👍

David Barrett85 said:So, let me get this straight $77 we’re supposed to spread those extra costs over the next twelve months, rather than just working an extra shift this year to pay off the current policy, canceling it on schedule, and locking in a better rate with MetLife?

To top it all off, he goes through the trouble of opening a dedicated thread just for this. If he had been halfway decent during the initial negotiation, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. It's such petty, small-minded business.😵

Supplemental health insurance policies don't actually have an expiration date; they're signed for an indefinite period, with the premium fixed for just one coverage year. The reason lawmakers set it up this way is supposedly to prevent people from forgetting to renew their coverage, which would otherwise leave them footing massive medical bills out of pocket.

Wait, what?
It stands to reason that one ought to check in with a client once their current contract reaches its conclusion to see if they have any interest in renewing for another term.
That’s really just the bare legal minimum; at the end of the day, it all comes down to the level of trust between the parties involved.

mistydrifter56 said:I think the whole thing is pretty straightforward.
I know because I was looking into this exact same thing toward the end of last year (though I didn't end up pulling the trigger on anything).

If you don't want to renew the policy, you have to cancel it in writing at least three months before it expires... or more accurately, you can't wait until that final three-month window hits; you actually have to submit the cancellation during the fourth month before the term ends. In your case, you hit that last three-month stretch (May, June, July), so the policy just automatically renewed, which is why those invoices for next year showed up.

My plan was to sign up for a term starting next December, which means if I wanted out, I would’ve had to cancel in September of this year—not in October, November, or December, since those are the final three months of the policy.

As for that $70 and $30 price point, your agent really should have been upfront about that when you signed up; if they weren't, that's straight-up misleading. That being said, it’s definitely gotta be written somewhere in the contract, and I'm sure it was—it's just that most of us don't bother reading the fine print, so we get blindsided later.

Anyway, that's how I see your situation playing out.

Well put. There aren't even clauses here about price hikes or changing terms.

The bottom line is the Plan B rider that costs $6.25.

Like you said, you didn't file a cancellation... meaning you didn't request a change to the policy terms at least 3 months out, so it just rolled over automatically. For you, the first year of Plan B was free... after that, the charge kicks in. You should have canceled Plan B three months before the renewal if you wanted to keep the base rate. But that didn't happen. The price goes up because the rider isn't canceled. No rules were broken here, and there's no "price hike" per se—just the standard cost of the coverage.

ironcyclist58 said:But is it possible to lock in a multi-year deal—or something that lasts until you cancel—where they tell you the first year is $23/month, and then it bumps to $30/month after that? Maybe that's what's going on with his guy...

The first year was 70 because Plan B was free. Since it wasn't canceled, the price is now $30. It simply wasn't canceled in time.