Affordable Health Insurance

There are thousands of unsuspecting people who end up falling victim to health insurance scams each year. Unauthorized insurers are ready to sell you health insurance with a low-cost premium and most people would never think that there are fake insurance companies out there waiting to steal your money. With so many companies offering health insurance, how does one decipher which ones are scams? The current trend of scams is on the rise due to the large number of uninsured individuals compared to the rising cost of prescription drugs. Simply put, people are looking for the best deal. There are ways to keep yourself safe from these con artists and still pay a reasonable premium.

Does a health insurance company seem to be offering a policy that is too good to be true? It could be. Victims of health insurance scams are usually those who go shopping around and find a great deal (and then find that in an emergency they are without insurance). There are no clear indicators of fraud unless you know what particular red flags to listen for during their sales pitch of their particular policy.

Con-artists are professionals at what they do because it's often how they make their entire living. They will have paperwork that looks identical to a real insurer and uphold everything that seems to be that of a genuine and legitimate agent. First, common scams include loopholes that make sure what they are selling is not actually insurance. This would mean it is a discount program of some sort. These scams may reach you by telephone, offering a discount to individuals who, for any reason, do not qualify for real insurance. Also be wary if an agent mentions their plan being "reinsured." It is true that some legitimate insurance companies do have reinsurance to protect themselves, but it is never mentioned when trying to sell insurance to a customer.

Health insurance scams are not easily spotted-liars may be trying to take advantage of your ignorance. Therefore, it is important to know all you can about health insurance before purchasing a plan. If someone calls your home and tries to sell you a form of health care or health insurance, take what knowledge you have and ask as many questions as you can think of. Any indication that this may be a fake insurer should be taken to the state insurance regulators for investigation. You could be saving yourself and others from being a victim.

Shopping for health insurance can be a frustrating hassle. There are so many companies with so many rates to compare. However, it is important to take your time and find the best company for your money. Although it may be frustrating, health insurance is a necessity. In any area, there are usually quite a few health care providers that can supply you with a quote over the phone. You could also use the Internet as a resource. By using these tools, you can make the shopping process go more smoothly.

The first step is going to be deciding which type of insurance you should be shopping for. If you have a family, it would be in your best interest to find a company that will give you one decided premium and co-payment plan no matter how many children you add to the plan at any time. Without a family, you would be shopping for individual health insurance but will need to decide if you are in need of short-term insurance or insurance for an extended period. Short-term insurance is for people who are in-between jobs and expect to enroll in whichever health insurance plan their future employer sponsors.

Once you have established what type of insurance you need, it is time to make some calls. Go through your local phone book and start calling down the line. After answering a few simple questions, you can get a quote and move on to the next company. Cost is one of the most important factors. If you find two or more of them with very similar premiums and a low co-payment amount, you should compare the benefits. Can you add immediate family at no charge? Will this health insurance include dental, emergencies, prescriptions, or doctor visits? This may help you find one that appeals more to your needs and is within your budget. Using the services of the Internet to find a company will be a very similar process. Some reputable web sites out there will ask you to fill in a few blanks and then give unbiased quotes from many different health insurance companies.

Whether you are going to be doing your shopping over the phone or on the Internet, you should use your best judgment of the information that you get on each company to decide on one that makes you comfortable. The Better Business Bureau can also help you be sure that you are not being scammed. Health insurance is a cost that is necessary to save you money in the long run on prescriptions, doctor visits, and unforeseen emergencies. Don't get left with bills that you have no way of paying because you didn't have insurance.

We have been in business since 1982 and have grown over the years to become the most stable and reliable provider of affordable healthcare and other association benefits in America today. Read our history below and how it all got started and how we have been the premier benefit provider for families and businesses for over 25 years!!

On August 9, 2007 IAB celebrated its formation 25 years ago in Washington, D.C. This occasion offers us a time to peer back into the past to see many of the exciting innovations that have been created over the years. It also offers a glimpse into the future as we continue to evolve and maintain our established leadership in the membership association field. As the innovator, IAB will continue to achieve this growth by providing access to progressive benefits that promote greater security for all our members.

"IAB can guarantee your tomorrows because of the 25 years of yesterdays!"

2005: IAB Expands its offices

IAB expanded its offices to include a new floor. Over 20,000 sq. ft. occupied by Accounting, Associate services, Member services, Sales, Training, and our in-house attorney and compliance specialist. This additional space allowed us to hire the staff needed to service our growth projections of 100,000 Associates and 1,000,000 Members.

2003-2004: IAB sets pace for Benefits Innovation

IAB continued to offer what was regarded in the industry as the most progressive and needed benefits package in the U.S. By setting the pace for its competitors in putting the interests of the American consumer and small business owners first through the development of four unique membership levels IAB continued to bring the future to its members.

2002: 20th Anniversary recognition by U.S. Vice President and Speaker of the House.

Letter from Vice President Dick Cheney
In 2002 IAB celebrated its 20th year of providing outstanding services and benefits to its members. IAB's 20 years of service to its members was recognized by both Vice President Dick Cheney and the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Letter

2001: IAB introduces a New Dimension in benefits

In September of 2001, IAB with assistance from Duncan MacDonald launched a marketing effort called New Dimension.

In addition to savings from participating providers, the membership included insured benefits under group policies issued to IAB. Under this program, along with insured benefits, members can obtain significant savings at hospitals, doctor's offices, and urgent care clinics, emergency rooms, vision centers, pharmacies, dentists, chiropractors, and alternative health providers, depending on the membership level,

Also, IAB also offered a great opportunity for its members and others to become Independent Marketing Associates (IMAs) to represent IAB and make its benefits available to millions of families and individuals in the U.S.

Starting in 1992, IAB enhanced many of its member benefits. One of these was the Hospital and Surgical Insurance Plan issued exclusively to IAB members. In addition to the BML plan, IAB added plans provided by Pioneer Life Insurance Company of Illinois, and States General Life Insurance Company.

1994: IAB sponsors Horatio Alger Foundation Scholarship

In recognition of the educational needs, combined with a desire to achieve the improbable, of many children from disadvantaged backgrounds, IAB selected the Horatio Alger Foundation to provide scholarship money to college age youths. The Foundation regularly recognizes people who have successfully overcome disadvantaged backgrounds to reach outstanding achievement in Business, Arts, Science and Government.

1993: IAB partners with Zig Ziglar

Through a series of seminars, radio talk shows and printed materials, IAB in conjunction with the Zig Ziglar corporation presented information to assist employers and their employees to reach higher levels of both business and personal achievement. Teamed with Mr. Ziglar on radio shows and on stage, the president of IAB, Jeff Malone, still recalls those occasions as a highlight of his career with IAB.

Coach Jackie Moore of World Champion Cincinnati Reds, teams up with IAB for seminars for IAB Members.

1991: IAB offers Dental Plan for its members
IAB members were offered an insured, supplemental group Dental Plan in 1991 insured by national insurance companies. Along with all the other benefits, the Dental Plan became one of the popular privileges of being a member of IAB. The Dental Plan is still a major benefit enjoyed by IAB members today.

1989: IAB recognized by the first Bush Administration

Letter of Recognition Secretary of Commerce
In recognition of the services and contribution to the economic progress of thousands of families in the U.S., IAB was congratulated on its seventh Anniversary. The Secretary of Commerce, the Honorable Robert A. Mosbacher, in President Bush's administration, wrote a congratulatory letter to IAB.

1988: IAB offers new and enhanced savings and benefits to members

IAB entered into agreements with businesses and providers to offer savings and benefits to its members. Both individual and family members of IAB could enjoy significant savings on a number of benefits such as medical and health care services, financial advice, office supplies, travel, amusement parks, investments and many others. Members were also eligible to apply for a hospital and surgical policy insured by Bankers Multiple Line Insurance Company (BML), a sister company of Bankers Life and Casualty of Chicago, Illinois. Literally thousands of members took advantage of this coverage, specifically designed for IAB members. This program continued through the mid 90's.

IAB appointed a national insurance agency, International Marketing Agency (IMA) to promote its insurance and other benefits to members. To this day IMA continues to manage and promote the interests of IAB members.

Publication of quarterly IAB Newsletter continues today as IAB Advantage.

1987: International Association of Businesses becomes the official name.

To reflect the growing service provided to both families and businesses, at the direction of IAB's Board of Director's, the incorporated name was changed to International Association of Businesses (IAB) on July 30, 1987. It was then decided to set up the administrative offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, in the state of Texas. IAB developed services for small businesses and the self-employed community and the millions of families that are supported by these entities.

1982: Incorporated in Washington, D.C.

IAB was incorporated as a Non-Profit Corporation in Washington, D.C. on August 9, 1982, under the name Family Security Coalition. The purpose of the corporation was to promote the interests and financial security for the family unit. That purpose continues to be a primary goal of the company today. The original address was 1747 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D. C., near the nation's Capitol. This remains IAB's official address in Washington, D.C. to this day.

When people think of health insurance, they think of traditional health insurance, with office visits, co-payments, and prescription drug coverage. However, such health insurance is not always available. Perhaps you are transitioning from one job to another; or maybe you are employed part-time or with a temporary agency that does not offer full health coverage; or you might be attending or just graduating from school. In these situations, traditional health insurance is sometimes not available. If you are unable to afford traditional health insurance but would like some coverage in the case of an accident or emergency, short-term health insurance is your best bet.

Short-term health insurance fills the gap in health insurance coverage that may come about for a number of different reasons, including those listed above. The idea of short-term health insurance is built into the name - it is a short-term solution offering short-term coverage, with the expectation that at some point, you will begin or resume traditional health insurance coverage. It is designed for those who would like some coverage in case of accident or injury and covers only emergency or serious medical expenses, such as x-rays, ambulance fees, intensive care, and a certain amount of hospital care. Though policies vary, these are often standard in short-term health insurance coverage. However, short-term health insurance does not cover regular physician visits, nor do they cover pre-existing conditions. If you are looking for this sort of coverage, you should consider obtaining a traditional health insurance policy or looking into other options.

Short-term health insurance costs vary greatly; you will have a monthly premium, ranging anywhere from $25 to $100, depending upon the plan's coverage and deductible, which often begins at $250 and can increase to $5,000. Most policies these days also offer a reasonable pay-out amount (often one or two million dollars). Policies allow you to choose coverage for specific lengths of time, from 30 days to 90 days or six months, but almost no short-term policies extend past one year.

How do you find short-term health insurance? It is not as difficult as it may seem. A simple Internet search will yield a number of companies that offer short-term health insurance coverage. Searching online will also give you the opportunity to compare different companies and different plans. Just be sure to research each of the policies carefully to understand your maximum pay-out as well as deductibles, coverage, and other terms of the agreement.

In the first two weeks of April 2008 the following were the savings and claims paid out for our members:

Network Savings: $2,030,618.00
Insured Benefits Paid: $242,254.00

Added together is 2 1/4 million dollars in savings and reimbursed dollars to IAB Members...in just two weeks!

The following are just a few of the hundreds of
testimonials on file and that we receive weekly at the home office:

"I went to the doctor and WOW, I was amazed. I went to pay, showed my IAB Card. The total bill was going to be $60 my eyes lit up because I knew I would only have to pay 10 dollars after IAB reimbursed me. Also, I asked about a CT scan and my doctor said it was going to be expensive. The initial price quoted was $1,000. The doctor office called my IAB network and found somebody in who quoted $400 for the CT scan. That is a $600 savings!!"

R. Lymus
Hampton, VA

"We were traveling for the Christmas and New Years and thought we would share what we have saved with our IAB card. We rented an SUV for the trip. The rental would have normally cost $997.00, however, with our IAB Hotel Access Travel Card, it only cost us $497.00 for almost two weeks. We are most definitely proud to be an IAB Member!!"

D. MacDonald
Tampa, FL

"We drove to Bakersfield CA for a home show. On the way home we stopped in Flagstaff, AZ and went to the Radisson. THe young lady at the front desk look at my IAB Card and said "Oh this is for 50% off". We only paid $59.00 that night. It was a beautiful hotel."

R. Hartsuiker
Holyoke, CO

"I went to pick-up a prescription, the price was $19.39, and with my IAB card, it was $10.91, which was a savings of $8.48. This surprised me as this was a common low-cost drug to begin with so I really didn't expect much of a savings. It is always such a nice feeling to know that our product (IAB) works."

C. Mayer
Brandon, FL

"I have used the motor club [Roadside Assistance benefit] three times, and this benefit is really wonderful. I also went to the pharmacy with my son and received $17.00 off the bill."

D. Clark
Atlanta, GA

Click any banner to see the other exciting products and opportunities offered by Strong Future International:

The IAB Benefits Plan also represents one of the most lucrative products SFI has ever offered to its affiliates:

For every retail sale of the standard plan, earn up to $100 cash (and 62 SVP) for the first month, and up to $15.87 (and 10 SVP) for each subsequent month!

For every retail sale of the larger IAB plans, earn up to $128 for the first month, and up to $51.93 for each subsequent month!

When you sell IAB Benefits Plans you can earn lucrative upfront commissions while at the same building up substantial residual income! For example, just one sale a month can earn you over $1,500 in upfront commissions PLUS over $620 a month in residual income (after just one year)!

Click here to review the entire IAB compensation plan

Click here for more information or to sign up yourself today!

About IAB: IAB is a 25-year-old non-profit Membership Association. As a member of IAB, you can take advantage of many membership benefits, including medical (dental, doctor, hospital) through IAB group policies, various medical discounts, and many other money-saving programs for you and your family. Note: IAB plans are available for U.S. residents only.