Seniors detail their concerns
Posted on Tuesday, September 18, 2007
BENTONVILLE — There are quite a few people — particularly senior citizens — who are confused and worried about health insurance, and it’s not just because the money they’re paying out of pocket is going up. Many seniors and their families are frustrated over the number of instances in which they are being preyed upon by what they describe as unethical agents, many times licensed in neighboring states.
Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman and her staff are responsible for protecting insurance consumers across the state. But in order to be effective, they need to hear the stories and frustrations many consumers are experiencing. So Bowman’s office recently packed its bags, boarded an RV and is traveling to communities across Arkansas in an attempt to meet with people face to face.
On Monday, the RV stopped at the Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, where Bowman and her staff spoke with a handful of northwest Arkansas insurance consumers — the majority of which were senior citizens. From there, the RV rolled on to Springdale. In the days ahead, the tour will proceed to Fort Smith, Russellville, Pine Bluff and Jonesboro.
“ I want to get out there to talk with people face to face and really connect and hear their problems and concerns, ” Bowman said. “ I want these stops to be very informal. We have experts from our staff here to help answer questions and gather information. ”
Those in attendance had questions and concerns covering topics ranging from commercial and residential insurance to health insurance. The two words repeated most during Bowman’s stop in Bentonville were “ Medicare ” and “ Medicaid. ”
“ It’s disturbing because agents preying on seniors has been all over the news, but we continue to hear more and more stories from seniors living here in Arkansas, ” Bowman said. “ We’ve heard stories about agents going door to door to retirement homes trying to sell insurance. This is not appropriate. But it’s trying to get a handle on this that can be difficult, because there’s so much of it going on. ”
Many of those who stopped by to talk with Bowman in Bentonville did not want to share their names or concerns with anyone other than Bowman and her staff. But it was obvious that legitimate concerns were being raised. One male resident who handles his elderly mother’s insurance matters said she was contacted by phone by an out-of-state agent to discuss health-insurance coverage and plans. He was concerned that such practices put senior citizens in vulnerable situations. They could give out important information, sign up for something they don’t fully understand and more.
While his concerns were heard, the unfortunate response was that there’s nothing Bowman or the state can do to stop those kinds of calls from coming in at this time.
“ Medicare, for example, is a federal plan, ” Bowman said. “ So the Constitution says we can’t limit calls and contacts to just in-state agents. It’s frustrating because there’s a lot of incentive for agents to sell these plans, but they may not be right for everyone. In fact, it’s not for everyone, but people are easily confused sometimes, and they sign up for something that will hurt them in the long run. It’s not their fault.
“ There are agents that hold seminars and free dinners, sometimes at retirement facilities, where seniors are being misled. Imagine a senior at the hospital being treated for a heart condition. Their blood pressure is already elevated. But then they’re told their bill is going to be $ 1, 000 rather than the lower deductible they had before. They get blindsided. ”
By law, insurance agents are prohibited from going doorto-door selling insurance. But, as Bowman explained, there is, in many cases, nothing preventing agents from calling senior citizens at their homes.
Bowman and her staff spent about an hour following the presentation in Bentonville speaking with consumers and documenting their concerns. It was Bowman’s intent to address residents’ concerns and attempt to provide information to get their questions answered and their options explained.
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