Sam's Club offering health insurance for SBOs on clarkhoward.com

If you own your own business, you know how hard it is to get good, affordable health care. It’s a topic that underlies this year’s presidential election because people are concerned about affordable health care. Economists have proposed a new theory that the job market has remained so crummy because of the cost of health care. Companies that would normally hire people full-time are choosing to hire contractors and part-time workers because health care is so expensive. GM just announced that medical care for its retirees has just crossed the $60 billion mark. So, if it’s happening to the bigger companies, it’s hurting the small business owner even more. Families USA reports that people are also getting ripped off everywhere because they buy into phony health insurance plans that cost less. You may not know it, but Sam’s Club is now experimenting with group health insurance offerings for small businesses. They’re trying it in 10 states initially. They are: California, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. So, companies with fewer than 100 workers will be able to try it out. If it works well, they will offer it in the other 40 states. The idea is people will have group buying power and will be able to participate in a PPO. And Clark is excited about this opportunity for you!

What others are saying

Health Insurance
My husband's employer R R Donnelley uses United Health Care to administer their plan for a very large group. My doctor sent me to have an MRI of my lower back without contrast and when I asked the hospital how much it would cost, they told me the full amount they charged, I asked how much would it be after it was reduced by my insurance company based on their contract. They told me they didn't have that information and I would need to call my insurance company. After going around in circles trying to get the procedure code, my insurance company sent me to their website which would give me an estimate. I found the information and it said the cost would be 600-900, so I decided to have it done. When all was said and done, I received a bill from the hospital for $1800.00. I have been to both the hospital, were I was told I needed to contact my insurance company, and the insurance company, were I filed an appeal and after being denied filed a second appeal that was denied. I could barely afford the $900.00, so I am unable to pay the $1800.00. Is it true I have no recourse? Thanks for your response. (540) 556-6800
By Wanda DeGidio @ 11/19/09 03:02:11 PMreport abuse
Broker
Your insurance broker was not being honest on the front side and you didn't question the policy, you have a 10 day free look buyer beware clause. Many plan have preventive from day one and most women are looking for that comfort. Please get insurance even if just a really high deductible don't just quit because you feel that you made a mistake.
By Tom @ 03/14/09 03:00:40 PMreport abuse
Health Scams
My best friend has been updating me on your show quite often until I got hook.
I'm a small business owner, single parent in Jacksonville, FL. As a small business owner, I went for several years without insurance because I couldn't afford it. When I thought I could afford it, I enrolled in a plan which I paid $192.00 per month. When I tried to use the insurance for an annual women pap test, and a physical, I was informed that I couldn't use the insurance even for any sickness until after one year. I lost five months of the monthly payments after I decided to cancel the plan.
After that, the same insurance broker called me to tell me that my insurance had elapsed. I explained to him my frustration and this time he was ready to offer me a "better plan" so he called it. I declined and now I don't have any health insurance.
I'm a successful single parent, business woman. My children have insurance and right now, I don't and I'm scared to death. I have secured life insurance, accidental insurance, hospital insurance, Roth IRA.I started a business from zero to half a million in revenue in 5 years. I'm an immigrant from Kenya and I not only care about my village in Kenya, I care about my community in Jacksonville. I'm scared to death about the economy and I wonder if I can make it without health insurance. Please advise on any best health plans to consider especially now that the economy is so challenging to small business owners like me.
By Debbie @ 11/20/08 08:32:38 PMreport abuse

Health Insurance

My husband's employer R R Donnelley uses United Health Care to administer their plan for a very large group. My doctor sent me to have an MRI of my lower back without contrast and when I asked the hospital how much it would cost, they told me the full amount they charged, I asked how much would it be after it was reduced by my insurance company based on their contract. They told me they didn't have that information and I would need to call my insurance company. After going around in circles trying to get the procedure code, my insurance company sent me to their website which would give me an estimate. I found the information and it said the cost would be 600-900, so I decided to have it done. When all was said and done, I received a bill from the hospital for $1800.00. I have been to both the hospital, were I was told I needed to contact my insurance company, and the insurance company, were I filed an appeal and after being denied filed a second appeal that was denied. I could barely afford the $900.00, so I am unable to pay the $1800.00. Is it true I have no recourse? Thanks for your response. (540) 556-6800

By Wanda DeGidio @ 11/19/09 03:02:11 PMreport abuse

Broker

Your insurance broker was not being honest on the front side and you didn't question the policy, you have a 10 day free look buyer beware clause. Many plan have preventive from day one and most women are looking for that comfort. Please get insurance even if just a really high deductible don't just quit because you feel that you made a mistake.

By Tom @ 03/14/09 03:00:40 PMreport abuse

Health Scams

My best friend has been updating me on your show quite often until I got hook.
I'm a small business owner, single parent in Jacksonville, FL. As a small business owner, I went for several years without insurance because I couldn't afford it. When I thought I could afford it, I enrolled in a plan which I paid $192.00 per month. When I tried to use the insurance for an annual women pap test, and a physical, I was informed that I couldn't use the insurance even for any sickness until after one year. I lost five months of the monthly payments after I decided to cancel the plan.
After that, the same insurance broker called me to tell me that my insurance had elapsed. I explained to him my frustration and this time he was ready to offer me a "better plan" so he called it. I declined and now I don't have any health insurance.
I'm a successful single parent, business woman. My children have insurance and right now, I don't and I'm scared to death. I have secured life insurance, accidental insurance, hospital insurance, Roth IRA.I started a business from zero to half a million in revenue in 5 years. I'm an immigrant from Kenya and I not only care about my village in Kenya, I care about my community in Jacksonville. I'm scared to death about the economy and I wonder if I can make it without health insurance. Please advise on any best health plans to consider especially now that the economy is so challenging to small business owners like me.

By Debbie @ 11/20/08 08:32:38 PMreport abuse

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Mar 11, 2004 -- Sam's Club offering health insurance for SBOs

What others are saying