Benefits That Counted When I Least Expected

By: Bill Bayonne, NJ

Contributing: Jen Taylor, TX

I have had access to benefits through my employers for the first 10 years of my career. I have always participated in health, dental and life offered by my employer. My family has been blessed with good health. I decided after years of working for a company to be my own boss. I was always successful and saw an opportunity to more than triple my income and wanted to take advantage.

I was very excited about this opportunity and was focused on building my business and worked tirelessly to make my company successful. I participated in my ex-employer’s plan through COBRA. All was going well; I had started my business and it was doing better than I even expected and felt like I was on top of the world. The benefits I was utilizing through my ex-employer expired, so I went to the marketplace in search of something comparable. I am a college educated accountant and have always had health insurance. I was confident I could make a good decision for my family.

The prices were much more than I thought, and the benefits were confusing. The “best” plan I could find was over $1,000 a month more and ALL my benefits went through the deductible, how is this the best. There was a $600 deductible before my office visit were even covered! I could not find a dental plan or vision plan, but at least my family would have the best health coverage available… or so I thought.

We were on a family vacation in Florida and my 15-year-old son slipped and fell running around the pool. He injured his arm and I wanted to take him to get it examined. I checked with the doctor and they were in network with my insurance carrier. We had the appointment and it turns out, my son broke his arm. After the x rays and cast, I was expecting a decent bill, but was thankful I had the best coverage I could find. I received a bill from the doctor showing that my insurance did not cover ANY of the charges. I was outraged and called the insurance company. It turns out that I did not have the full network of doctors only a small “sub network” of doctors in my state only.

A few months later my professional trade association announced they were now offering benefits. I was skeptical but very interested. I reviewed the options on their website and made an appointment with one of their benefits specialists. I was blown away! I was able to buy a national PPO with the full network of doctors, a dental, vision and was even educated on additional coverages to protect out of pocket costs. I finally had the benefits I needed for my family. I am thankful to my association, Meridio, and BenAdvance for helping me protect my family with the coverages I am used to.

NATDA Enhanced Wellness program offers extensive, cost-saving benefits that offer flexibility not only to you as members, but also to your member employees. Keeping you safe, secure, and putting money back in your pocket, while giving you only the benefits that are priority for you. No more paying for group benefits you don't need.

Call a Benefit Guide today (800) 659-5016 or CLICK HERE for more detailed plan information.