2010

12/21/2010

Hi Steve,

Your service and web site are second to none.
But my cousin in Ft Lauderdale needs to find new health insurance she was laid off.
Anyone you would care to recommend?

Paula M

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010

I appreciate you putting the video of yourself on the site. I’m glad  to know I will be dealing with a knowledgeable, non-pushy agent, representing all the major companies!

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Sincerely,

Laurie M

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2010

Dear Mr. Shorr:

Based on California definitions [AB 1672 CA Guaranteed Issue for Small Employers]  (love your web site)

B P

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2010

Hi Steve,

Great site…congrats..

Tripped into your site…doing research on the new PCIP and state guaranteed coverage plans. I’ve been a group health broker for over 20 yrs…

Would love your comments…keep up the good work..

—
All the Best,
Rob G

Mon, 25 Oct 2010

Steve,

OK. …I must say, your site has made it much easier to get the information,

Bill B

Wed, 06 Oct 2010

 I really think your [web] site kicks butt!

George Jaspert RIA CEA
Registered Principal
QA3 Securities
760 722 5585
Jaspert Financial.com

8/9/2010

Thanks Steve.

You have always been our Agent. …

It takes an alert and knowledgeable individual who is aware of this scheme to be on guard against the attempt to short-change one’s Agent of record….

…if a caller is not ethical and believes they can save some expense by cutting the present Agent out, some folks will throw you “under the bus” to save $ 10.00. That is the reason we do not bid on new car business.

***Note that the rates direct are the same as through an agent.

It is a cut-throat world out there and there is little loyalty to one’s friends and associates.

An Agent often works long and hard to find and maintain clients and it is the unethical scum of the business that will try to steal that customer  for a few bucks….

Stay alert,
George

Subject: Re: HIPAA – No Pre X

Hi Steve,

We can’t thank you enough for your help with this. But we’ll try anyway:

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you

Bob K & Jude S

Date: Wed, 26 May 2010

You have an amazing website.  I am just writing to say, “Thank you.”

Julie H

4/22/2010

Hi Steve,

I ran across your website as I was searching for Cal COBRA and HIPPA coverage information. Very nice and informative site!  I have an interesting situation and was wondering if you could provide some guidance.

Your advise would be most welcome!
Thank you,

Mary K

Thu, 22 Apr 2010

Hi Steve –

Just wanted to say how amazing your website is. It was extremely informative and well done!

Thanks, Lisa S

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010

Steve,

I called H. Williams at Aetna in Blue Bell, PA who advised that my HIPAA coverage was approved and will begin March 1.  …

Now that the tough part is apparently over, my thanks to you for putting up with me during this process.  If you ever need a reference or testimonial – let me know.

Doug

Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010

Hi Steve:

I’m filling out an application for a Blue Shield employer plan.  I got the application off your website.  I really appreciate the clear and systematic info you’ve got up there, so I’m happy for you to get whatever commission having your name on the application might get you.

…  Also, it would probably be good to have you look it over before it goes to them.

Thanks,

Dan

Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010

Hello:

… I would first like to complement you on your brilliant website.  I probably went through 30 calls before finding your site.  Your site answered far more questions immediately than my prior 30 calls. Excellent site (and it gave you the credibility to want me to have you as an agent).

….
5)      My comparison using your site makes ….look like the best (do you agree?). ….We live in Palmdale, CA ? I assume that’s not a problem.

Very happy to have found you!  Finally someone who really knows about HIPAA!!!

2009

6:16 AM 11/20/2009

Hi there Mr. Shorr: 

I have been experiencing a difficult time understanding the different insurance options and policies available to me.  I was doing some research on the internet, and your company came up.

You are the precise type of knowledge that I have been desperately seeking vs. calling a multitude of various 800# numbers.

I am willing to pay a consultation fee in order to meet with you, as I have so many questions.  My request is time sensitive since my Cobra exhausts on November 30, 2009.  Accordingly, I will need to identify different options available to me and get enrolled in a new insurance policy within the next week or so since I do not want to go with any lapse of medical insurance.

It appears that you can help me enroll as well, and I would really appreciate the opportunity to meet with you.

Can you please call me at one of the following phone numbers at your earliest convenience:

…. home

…. cellular

My calendar/schedule is very flexible and I look forward to meeting with you during you first available opening in your calendar.

Sincerely,

Tiffani T

Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009

Steve,
Thanks again for your help! The documents on your web site were very helpful as well.

-Josh

Wed, 11 Nov 2009

Dear Steve,

Thank you for talking to me today to answer my questions about HIPAA and health insurance coverage after Cobra.  You asked me to fill out a pre underwriting form to see if my husband and I might be eligible for coverage without HIPAA.  …

We have been looking over the information in your website to prepare for insurance coverage once our COBRA expires in case neither of us have a job by that time.

Your website is very informative.  Thank you very much for your help.

Best Regards,

Lucy C

Sun, 25 Oct 2009

Steve,

Thank you for you informative treatment of AB1672.  I am a criminal defense attorney in solo practice who’s COBRA has run out, and due to pre-existing medical conditions (3 spinal surgeries), seem to be uninsurable.  I have given up trying to find a job in order to obtain group health insurance as I am 63, and have been turned down dozens of times due to my age.

I have been told that creation of a PLC would qualify as a small business entitled to group insurance under AB1672.

Would the corp. count as one, and myself as employee, count as two in order to qualify under 1672?

Thanks for any assistance.

A.  K.

Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:23

Hi Steve,

Congratulations on the depth of information on your website. It is very complete and very up to date. It must be quite an undertaking to stay on top of it. Thanks for making this fantastic resource available. It has been most helpful.

Thanks for your time.

Best Regards,

Bill R.

Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:53

Hi Steve,

I just recommended your website to two other friends, by the way, because it’s such a wealth of info.  In fact, I told you I would write a quote you could use so here it is.

“Trying to negotiate my way through all the confusing health insurance mumbo jumbo was truly frustrating.  But finding Steve Shorr’s website was like discovering an oasis in a desert of non-information!”

Thanks!
Erica Karlin

Sun, 6 Sep 2009

Steve,

That’s great!  … I will write a letter to UHC to change you to my agent.  You have been much more responsive than UHC and my previous agent.

Have a good holiday weekend,
Dawn

Tue, 01 Sep 2009

Are you licensed in Nevada?  I was impressed by your web site, so I figured I’d give you a shot.

If so, I have some questions about HIPAA coverage. If not, can you recommend a colleague?

Alan L

Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009

Thanks for following up…. If I have a problem, I will get back to you.

Otherwise, thanks for helping me get the policy without resorting to HIPPA.  With two “declines”, most people would have given up.

Art

 Tue, 14 Jul 2009

Hello Mr. Shorr,

First of all, I just want to thank you for all the resources that are available on your site.

Thanks,
Jennifer

Wed, 1 Jul 2009

Thanks, Steve.

…I’ve really appreciated all of your help in this situation.  …

…  They (my domestic partners family) were also appreciative to hear how helpful the information on your website has been to me during my search for replacement health insurance in California (and making use of the HIPAA guaranteed issue option).

Thank you again.

Betsy

Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 04:49:41 EDT

Steve:

A client of mine improperly deducted life insurance premiums in his S corporation and has recently passed away.  The policy was issued in 2000 and tax returns cannot be amended for the closed years to “fix” the problem.  I did a search to address this issue and you state that the proceeds of the life insurance policy would be taxable if the premiums were deducted.  Do you have a cite for your response to the question?  I have looked high and low and am unable to find any additional information.  I would greatly appreciate your response and state to you that any response from you (right or wrong) will be used sole for discussion purposes and will not be relied upon as tax advise or any type of advice for that matter.

Thanks.

Ted H, CPA
Kansas

Thank you very much for your prompt and detailed response**.  I will call you within the next week to discuss how I can send any referrals to you.  I have a large CPA practice in Kansas City and am very impressed with your professional demeanor.

I will plan to call you Tuesday of next week.

Thanks Again.

**There were more, but we are only posting the main one, so as not to infringe on the Fair Use Doctrine.

Mon, 9 Mar 2009

Hello Steve!

I have been meaning to call you about dental insurance. Do you think you can give us some quotes on some plans? I am interested in life and retirement plans if that is something I can do on my own. The insurance worked out great, thank you so much for your efforts, as of a week ago, Dr. L can hear again!  (Cochlear Implants)

Thank You!!!
C

2/26/2009  08:19 AM

Mr. Shorr,
I’m doing research on using 125 plans for employees who purchase  individual insurance, and found your website very helpful, so I thought I would share the following legal analysis of mine, which  might be helpful to others:
HIPAA_125_Policy_Brief

Mark A. Hall, J.D.
Professor of Law and Public Health
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem NC 27109-7206
[email protected]     336-758-4476
faculty/profile

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Tue, 17 Feb 2009

Hello,
I am using your website…as a source for my HIPAA research paper. … Your site was incredibly helpful to me. Thank you so much. Your information on HIPAA was great!

Sincerely,
Catherine R

*******************************************

Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2009
Subject: COBRA – Exceptions to Late Enrollment

CANDICE:

WOULD YOU CONTACT STEVE SHORR BY E-MAIL AND SEE IF HE WOULD DO ME THE FAVOR OF RESPONDING TO A QUESTION.

HE IS ONE OF THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE AGENTS I KNOW OF.

Jim

**************************************

Fri, 23 Jan 2009

Hi Steve-

Thanks for all your help and the great website which made the research much easier for me.

David S.

****************************************

Wed, 14 Jan 2009

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your article about Law Maxims, I particularly liked the section on proverbs, I loved the stuff on proverbs, my favorite was “The more someone says and the louder he says it, the less likely his words are worth listening to” I know people like that at work   lol.

I also appreciated the section on Sarbanes-Oxley, we’ve been dealing with that a lot in the last couple of years.

Actually my company recently hired an email service to help with email archiving, ediscovery and that kind of thing. There’s actually a really good page about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and summaries of other major compliance regulations it’s on Mimosa Systems.com/  Maybe this would be a good addition to your links.

Just thought that since your site helped me so much I thought I’d return the favor. Best of luck with your website!

Take care,
Jen

2008

 Subject: MEDI GAP INSURANCE QUESTION PLEASE!

Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:53:08 +0700

Dear Mr. Shorr. . .

I am pleased that I found your website.

Possibly you can be of help to me.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Ronald S

PS:     I have tried researching this through Social Security website and it is entirely to confusing to understand!    Your site is very much appreciated by many    individuals I am sure!

*****************************************

Wed, 24 Dec 2008

Steve,

I was looking for some specific Medicare information and found your site on Google.

You have a great site. It is very informative without a lot of meaningless information.

I thought I’d tell you that. I think I am glad you are not in my area. I’d hate to have you as a competitor.

Best regards,

Mark A. Squires.
Principal
Squires. and Associates
Independence MO

*****************************************

Mon, 22 Dec 2008

Steve,

You’re a bloody genius.  I love the Lane Victory site.
It has every important angle and bit of equipment- important for film clients.
It navigates easily and instantly.  do you have any interest in … becoming a founding board member of the … Museum Association.?

A. L.

Webmaster’s note – we use the same basic informative and navigation format on both sites.

Here is what looks like the best example of filming on the SS Lane Victory. 

Steve is no longer the webmaster of the Lane Victory.  Here is the Internet Archive of his work web.archive.org/

******************************************

Subject:  Anexora – PPO Share 1500
Fri, 12 Dec 2008

Steve: Thank you!

 I will look at this in detail but I am pretty sure this is similar to what I printed out last weekend from your fabulous website. When I came across your website, I definitely thought I hit a treasure chest. your site is very resourceful. … Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Renee B 🙂

Brochure
anthem.com/
I printed it out
MHP Page

******************************************

Wed, 10 Dec 2008

Hello again,…I love your  web design very little visual clutter.

Carole

San Pedro Elks Club Citation for Excellence in Web Design

********************************************

At 11:21 AM 7/18/2008, you wrote:
Hello-
Great website! A lot of good information.

Maurine B

********************************************

Fri, 25 Apr 2008

Steve,

Thank you so much for all the advice and help you have given me. I had been so concerned since the day I started my COBRA coverage as to how difficult it would be to get HIPAA individual health insurance once my COBRA benefits had ended. Thanks to you, this mission has now been accomplished! I truly appreciate that you answered every question I had in an amazingly timely manner, and that you have created a website that contains so much great information.

Sincerely,

Linda

******************************************

Thu, 20 Mar 2008
Steve……We can’t thank you enough for all your efforts. I have my new medical card and they said I should receive a packet of information in a few days. Looks like everything for B… is processed as well. Again, B… and I thank you for your help, I will try to stay healthy and fly under the radar so that we don’t have to do this again. All the best………B.. and J…

******************************************

Sun, 2 Mar 2008

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for your responsiveness and the information you have provided. You stand out above all other people I have talked with over the years both in terms of your knowledge and your high level of customer service. I will use you for my insurance needs and will recommend you to anyone I know needing these services.

Thanks for your suggestion on HSA’s. I did quite a bit of research yesterday on HSA’s, and now believe I know at least enough to be dangerous. Based upon what I have learned, it does appear that an HSA would be my best choice, as I am generally healthy, historically have had very little utilization over the years, and am financially suited for this type of plan….

Any input you can provide to the above would be greatly appreciated and would greatly assist with the final decision. I would like to start the application tomorrow.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Ken

**********************************

17 Jan 2008

Amazing. I must have done something nice to someone to have a complete stranger be so very helpful.

I appreciate your time and energy very much. Have a wonderful weekend.

Best,

Sarah

Subject: Section 125 POP plans.

***I’ll post the research on the 125 page – as I develop it.

2007

10/28/2007

…You deserve every success, Steve. You always struck me as a sincere ,caring and dedicated person. …

June

*********************************

Thu, 11 Oct 2007

Thanks Kelley!

You have been great!  I sincerely appreciate all your help and high level of communication during the application process.

Have a great day!

Joe

*******************************

Tue, 21 Aug 2007

Hi Steve,

You are really a mensch.

Thank you so much!

Mary Jo

*********************************

Tue, 7 Aug 2007

Hi Steve:  Thanks for note.  …  All going good here, Roger sure appreciates his insurance and pension, thanks again for your help.  Roger and J…

*********************************

Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007

Thanks soooooooh much.  You are always my hero.

xxoxox

Lori

*************************************

 Fri, 20 Jul 2007

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your email.  You have been on my mind.  I just wanted to say how grateful I am for your help in guiding me to get my Mom on the Freedom Blue plan.

The administrator of the assisted living place (where Mom lives), Seth B. and I got on the phone together with Blue Cross back in May and were told my Mom was covered for the services of home health that my Mom needs.  Seth apologized to me for having doubted her coverage.

Have a great day.

Mary Jo

******************************

 Mon, 2 Jul 2007

Thanks for staying on top of this
You. Are great
We will recommend you to our friends

***********************************

Mon, 18 Jun 2007

Thank you for the follow-up.  Your customer service ethic is why I went to you first in seeking additional insurance.

Sincerely,

Ralph

******************************

Steve,

I like the answers and the links to your content rich web site. Too bad the others that always want to post links to their websites don’t have the depth of information in them. It is a real public service! ^{(Leviticus 19:9)}

Mark

**********************************

 Thu, 10 May 2007
Subject: Re: Does Cal COBRA cover dental only?

Steve,

Thank you very much for looking this up for me.  This will be a big help to me.

Sincerely,

Virginia

*****************************

Hi Steve,

… You were excellent as usual. …

Thanks for everything.

Stacie J

****************************

Hi Steve,

We’re doing great with the insurance. I always liked Blue Cross, and you set the details perfectly.

Eva

******************************

I just received a check from the endoscopy center for the $500 I had previously paid.

thanks.

Lori

*******************************

Steve,

just wanted to let you know that the we received the documentation from BCC( Blue Cross): insurance cards, instructions, and all kinds of info.

Once again, thank you for making the process so easy (and fast).

Eva

2005

03:39 PM 10/20/2005,

Hooray! I want to thank you, Steve, for all your help through this COBRA/HIPAA Issue.

You fought for me the whole way.

John

****************************

Dear Steve,

Thank you for the information on your website about UICI.… Mega & Midwest…. You saved me a lot of money and trouble.

Thank you

Cathy

Palatine, IL

********************************

Hi Steve, pretty cool website….

…. For the past few years I have continued to carry my own insurance while I was teaching at the college. They too offer a plan but I wanted to wait to see what would happen with my employment.  I now have tenure and my cancer is more than 5 years in the past.  So what I am thinking is opting to take the Prudent Buyer Plan offered through the college. Open Enrollment is only until June 17 so I need to decide pretty soon so that I don’t have to pay double.

I continued to carry the other policy because it was so good and I couldn’t ever get that $1000 deductible again. And the coverage was so great with all of my cancer treatments. But I think that this program offers the same coverage and that is what I want to know from you….. Please let me know your advice. Thank you Steve

Diane

***************************

Dear Steve,

Thank you for all your help. I also contacted the Department of Labor in Washington (by e-mail last night) and they called me back this morning. I AM entitled to coverage (COBRA) without my spouse — the company does not have the legal right to say no.

I was advised how to go about informing the company once the time came to enroll and the gentleman I spoke with gave me his name and direct number should I need additional assistance. Phew! He pretty much is saying what you’ve provided, quote the law — send them a highlighted copy showing they must cover me.

So now that I know that, the next step is to see if my husband will be able to enroll with Blue Cross through the company’s new plan in May, or if we need to buy independent coverage. But there is time for that.

Thank you VERY MUCH for your help. As you can see, I was quite concerned about this, especially after getting the letter from the company denying me independent coverage. It’s amazing how such a huge company (redacted – privacy), a company that must go through this often (they are in the process of laying of thousands yet again) doesn’t even have someone in the benefits department who knows what’s going on.

If we do need individual insurance, I will be in touch.

I appreciate your replying so promptly to me e-mails. I’m surprised how stressful this can be!

Barbara

********************************

Hi Steve,

Thanks so much for your help and recommendation. I didn’t want to bother you again but after getting this last note threatening to take the money out of my Income Tax Refund, I was very upset.  I have spent this evening crying as this has brought back a lot of memories.  The fact that it is also happening around the holidays has made it very difficult for me.  Again I thank you for helping me out once again.  It’s nice to know there are still good people in this world.

Take care and I wish you very Happy Holidays.

R

Steve,

Thank you for your help. My nephew was able to have his tooth fixed this morning. J

Leah

2004

Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 8:02 AM
To: Leah
Subject: Medi-Cal – Dental Providers

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Insurer Info:

Universal Care, Now a Personal plan (HIPAA) Myinitial consultation with Dr.LaMar was approved in 5 days. My surgerywas approved in 2 weeks. (I couldn’t believe the promptness of either one.) After Iwas approved for surgery, the small family business where I worked (my ins. was through) closed. Universal accepted me on an Individual Plan (at doubleprem., (HIPAA) but that’s ok for now) so that my surgery date wouldremain the same. I’m sure 50% of the credit for the smooth handling goes to my primary physician, Dr. Joel Holtz and the other 50% goes to our “Ins. man”, SteveShorr.

Obesity Help.com

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Dear Mr. Shorr,

Thanks for your help. ….

Anyway, you are a doll for helping.

Regards,
Ann

Testimonials, Reviews & #Accolades 

These are excerpts of UNSOLICITED emails and letters we’ve received over the years of people thanking us for our expertise, caring and help with their Insurance issues and problems.  Except for the $18k check below, they are all unsolicited!   There are many more that we didn’t have time to post.

There is no extra charge for our services as by law, all pricing is the same.   We get paid by the Insurance Companies, Covered CA or SHOP to help you get the service and consultation that you want.   

Here’s a client  that had a small group plan with Kaiser direct no broker helping them!

After we were appointed as there broker,    no additional charge, we  able to get the owner  into Kaiser  Medicare Advantage Plan MAPD, with no compensation  for us.    We are compensated on the lower small group premium, after taking the owner off the plan.  Kaiser agreed to backdate the MAPD application and look at the refund we got him!