Local Woman Says Health Insurance Was a Dud

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Debbie Chesser has been unemployed for five months, but has rheumatoid arthritis and no insurance coverage.

In August, she purchase a plan from Cinergy Health and waited a month to see a doctor.

"I wait and when I gave them my Cinergy Health card, they said they don't accept that, they have never heard of it," says Chesser.

Chesser says she contacted Cinergy Health and they provided a new list of Doctors of Rheumatology. The list was generated by Multi Plan, a New York based P-P-O Network. But Chesser says that list was also useless.

"I called several doctors on the list and they said no, they do not accept this plan," says Chesser.

Chesser became a member of of Cinergy Health in August. Being unemployed, she said she had to borrow $532 to join the plan and pay the first month's premium.

Chesser says, "I'm totally disappointed with it."

Cinergy Health describes itself in the company brochure as a limited medical benefit plan that works with insurance carriers. Chesser says right now the plan is not working for her.

"Nobody on the list seems to be on the list," says Chesser.

Keith Stupicic with Cinergy Health says on September 11th, the company made an attempt to reach Chesser after locating a provider but there was no answer.

A few days later she canceled.

Stupicic says, "There was a disconnect between the providers on the list and Cinergy Health and Multi Plan." He added, "Cinergy Health will process a full refund of $532 to Chesser's account over the next 3 to 5 days."

The Florida Attorney General has received 28 complaints regarding Cinergy Health, but is not currently investigating the company.

Chesser says she will file a complaint with State Insurance Regulators.

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