BBDi Testimonials

Mr. Hall,
I’ve heard you on the radio, and my sister’s family consulted you a few years ago and recommended you as a resource. My husband is self employed, I’m not employed and we have two college age dependents. We currently are paying out of pocket $1650/month for the premium on a KANSAS policy from his previous employer, but that expires in Sept 2011. We tried to get coverage recently, but they refused to cover my husband (high BP and on antidepressant, I suppose, they didn’t tell us the exact reason for refusal to cover) and the agent I was working never follows through, etc. SO, I would like to find out what options are out there for our family. Can I make an appt. with you to talk over the health insurance possibilities?
Thank you,

As you know, I really needed your help on a health insurance issue in the very recent past. As a lymphoma patient every issue with health insurance is magnified to me, and this one was a doozy.

I have been thinking for some time that there should be someone to talk to about these insurance issues. Most of the population does not have the experience or knowledge of how this very complex industry works. By the time we need to understand, it certainly means that the situation is too serious to just flail away at the problem. Although, that is what most of us are doing.

The caring and informative way that you and your staff walked me through a very timely resolution to my problem, was nothing less than remarkable. You and your wonderful employee, April Turnbull really saved me a lot of anxiety and a possible awful problem. A happy ending is very refreshing ending these days.

You and your staff are exactly what people with health insurance problems need. I hope many more find you. I have sent two to you already myself. I greatly admire what you are trying to do.

This letter is to address my experiences over the past 4 months with the insurance broker, Benefits by Design, Inc (“BBDI”). In late May, my father was diagnosed with an extremely rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer. His prognosis was ‘not good’ at best.

My father’s insurance was through an unnamed provider and his policy stated that he had to pay 100% of the first $3000 worth of medical expenses each calendar year, after the $3000 limit was reached, the provider took care of 100% of the medical expenses. We were fortunate to hear he had this policy when we learned of his diagnosis.

His insurance was purchased through his broker, BBDI. They acted as middle men throughout the entire process and proved to be a necessary asset. BBDI’s knowledge of the insurance industry and knowledge of how the system works made my father’s last months of his life much easier than he would have had if BBDI didn’t exist.

In the two months between his diagnosis and his death, my father had a major surgical procedure to remove the tumor, an extensive hospital stay, and he began a clinical trial at MD Anderson for treatment. His unnamed provider was to cover 100% of these expenses due to the fact that his $3000 limit was reached before his surgery.

The unnamed provider tried to dispute every claim that was put in front of them and at times, my Dad was even denied medical services due to the provider being so difficult to work with. He would have to go home, and then come back a few hours later when the provider would give in. RIDICULOUS!

My father spoke so lowly of his provider, but was so thankful that BBDI was his broker because they catered to his every need. When a charge was disputed, BBDI was on it and had it corrected immediately by knowing who to contact at the provider company. With out BBDI, my father’s final months would have been far worse than he actually had.

On August 3, 2010, my father passed away. After his passing, he had a folder that was titled “Unpaid Medical Bills”. This was a folder with charges that his provider was still trying to push onto him. I contacted BBDI (like my Father told me to do if anything ever happened to him), emailed them a copy of all of the bills, and within a few hours, every single bill was wiped to a zero balance.

I had to deal with far too much during my father’s death; I didn’t have the will to want to deal with an insurance provider to dispute their incompetence and lack of human emotion that they were putting into each case. With only a bottom line in mind at each provider, an insurance broker, like BBDI, is extremely necessary to take care of every issue, no matter how large or small.

I would like to take this time to brag on one of your employees. I am a Grandmother trying to help a 19 year old grandson get health insurance. You helped my daughter Heather Anderton with their business Heartland Wall with their insurance needs. Heather asked you many months ago about her nephew Chuck and getting insurance for him as he was taken off of his Mother's insurance at Applebee's when he turned 18. The problem was that Chuck suffered from seizures. You put us on a temporary policy with Assurant. It has since run out and I called your company and talked to April. She was just as helpful and concerned in helping me with Chuck's needs as you had been Heather.

In today’s world with the economic crisis and war folks forget about customer service. April seems to promote, what it seems you have promoted in your own right, the caring and commitment to helping those who need assistance in what often they don't understand. The commitment was real. I felt as though April was apart of my family trying to help with Chuck for the very beginning She was on the phone or emailing me daily with various applications and suggestions to get Chuck covered as quickly as possible. She understood Grandma's limitations and had no problem working within that zone.

I am a big believer that employees can make or break a business and if you leave out the embetterment of those you serve you might as well not open the door to do business. In the case of April, and yourself, I look for Benefits by Design to be in business for a long, long time. I have already sung your praises to any that will listen.

Thank you again and God Bless you all,
Jeanne Henry

I just found your website and listened to the July 5th broadcast. Theresa Sloat was great. How can we get in contact with her to review her film, "Still There"? I speak to high school students around Veteran's Day and would like to use her poem, "Hoorah, Hoorah."

Unless things have changed, the Captain who gets disability pay from the VA does have that amount reduced from his retirement pay. However, in doing so he gains a tax advantage in that the VA disability amount is not taxed on either the federal or Kansas income tax. My father retired for medical reasons in WWII and was given a disability for an injured knee. He did not pay federal or Kansas income tax on his disability pay. I am a retired officer and receive a little over $100 a month for a back injury and hearing loss. The VA payment is deducted from my retirement pay and is nontaxable. I believe there was some legislation awhile back which was going to reevaluate this procedure but I am not aware of any changes. Someone in the Retired Officer's Association in Wichita might be tracking legislation concerning medical benefits, programs, etc.

During Viet Nam a couple of high ranking officers tried to get 75% disability so they could avoid tax on their retirement pay. It is my understanding that the VA has cleaned up some of the abuses but I am afraid that many vets try to get their ratings increased from say 10 to 20 percent so they can gain the tax advantage. Yes, I agree with you that those with lost limbs, sight, etc need better treatment and thank you for bringing it to the attention of your audience. I will listen to other programs when I get more time.

Thanks for the great work you do!
David A. Weihe, Colonel USAF Retired
Rose Hill, KS
Thank you,

I just wanted to let you know how absolutely thrilled I am with your company and Maggie Newton! I have tried for a year and a half to get health insurance. I was turned down by Mega and Assurant. I had given up hope to ever find any insurance. I was forced to take KHIA in December 2008. My premium is $700 a month. I worked at Commerce Bank for almost 30 years before I quit in January 2004 to take care of my parents. My Dad is an 86 year old amputee and requires 24 hour care so I am not able to work. We live on his social security and VA Disability and struggle to make our monthly payments.

Maggie was very upbeat and really wanted to help me get insurance. She really cares about her clients. I really didn't think that I had a chance with my health issues but Maggie went to all lengths to help me and kept me informed with everything that was going on. Maggie called me Monday to inform me that I was approved for health insurance at half of the cost of KHIA!

I know that God placed Maggie in my life. Thanks to Maggie's help, we now have some extra money to buy groceries with so I don't have to charge them every month. I thank God! I am very thankful that God placed Maggie in my life and for all of her help. She was certainly a Godsend!

Sincerely,
Susan R. Lamone