Insurance Gone Wild

Insurance Gone Wild

Insurance Gone Wild,” hosted by Dennis Settlemoir and Stephanie Lencioni, the discussion centers around the intricate and often frustrating world of insurance as it relates to YOU the consumer. Our Motto is ”We are consumers too! And those payments can SUCK!”

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    UnitedHealthcare Just Changed the Rules for Kids… But Is It Actually Better?

    UnitedHealthcare just announced one of the biggest health insurance changes in years. By the end of 2026, the company plans to eliminate prior authorization requirements for roughly 67% of pediatric services—meaning many families could see faster approvals for MRIs, specialist visits, routine surgeries, sleep studies, and more. Sounds like a huge win... But is it? In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis Settle Meyer and Stephanie Lincioni break down what this announcement really means for parents, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and ultimately every consumer paying for health insurance. They discuss why prior authorization exists in the first place, why doctors and hospitals have been pushing for change, and whether removing these guardrails could unintentionally drive healthcare costs even higher. The conversation also explores an important perspective many people overlook: while everyone wants faster access to care, somebody still has to pay the bill. Inside this episode: Why UnitedHealthcare is eliminating pediatric pre-authorizationsWhich medical services are affectedWhy prior authorization frustrates doctors, hospitals, and familiesThe hidden purpose behind pre-auth requirementsCould removing approvals lead to unnecessary testing?Will health insurance premiums eventually increase?Why parents should always advocate for their childrenWhether other insurance carriers are likely to follow Rather than taking sides, Dennis and Stephanie examine both the opportunities and unintended consequences of one of the biggest healthcare policy changes of the year. Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, employer, or simply someone trying to understand where health insurance is headed, this episode offers valuable perspective on a rapidly changing industry. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – UnitedHealthcare's Major Announcement01:05 – What Is Prior Authorization?03:32 – Why Pre-Auth Exists in the First Place06:56 – Every Parent Should Be an Advocate08:50 – How Delays Impact Families10:32 – The 67% Rule Explained11:17 – Which Pediatric Services Are Changing?15:13 – Why Doctors Have Been Fighting This for Years16:53 – The Statistics Behind Prior Authorization18:51 – Faster Care vs. Higher Costs22:36 – Could This Lead to Unnecessary Testing?25:01 – Using AI to Help Structure Conversations26:40 – Will Other Insurance Companies Follow?29:27 – What Happens If Everyone Plays Their Part?31:10 – Final Thoughts on the Future of Healthcare Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    UnitedHealthcare Just Changed the Rules for Kids… But Is It Actually Better?
  2. Jun 26

    Don't Make Your Family Guess | The End-of-Life Planning Nobody Talks About

    Nobody likes talking about death. But your family will have to. In this deeply personal episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis shares what he's experiencing firsthand while helping settle the affairs of an elderly couple—and why it's convinced him that life insurance is only one piece of the puzzle. The conversation goes far beyond policies and premiums. Dennis and Stephanie discuss the emotional, financial, and logistical chaos families face when there's no plan, no instructions, and no organization. From finding life insurance policies and dealing with banks to navigating funeral arrangements, powers of attorney, and estate documents, they explain why one simple decision today can save your loved ones months—or even years—of stress. Inside this episode: Why life insurance is only part of protecting your familyThe documents every family should have organizedWhy "I'll get to it later" creates chaos for everyone elseThe biggest mistakes families make after losing a loved oneHow to remove the guesswork for the people you love mostWhy writing your wishes down may be the greatest gift you'll ever leaveThis isn't a conversation about preparing to die. It's a conversation about making life easier for the people you love after you're gone. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – The Storm That Started This Conversation02:23 – Life Can Change in an Instant07:33 – Why Life Insurance Matters More Than You Think10:48 – Don't Leave Your Family Guessing13:23 – The Hidden Cost of Poor Planning15:55 – No Family Has Ever Turned Down a Life Insurance Check16:36 – Choosing the Right Policy for Your Stage of Life19:18 – Why Even Single People Should Have a Plan22:06 – You Can't Predict the Storm24:24 – The Nightmare of Finding Important Documents27:02 – Why the System Makes Everything Harder30:39 – The One Thing Dennis Wishes Everyone Would Do Today

    Don't Make Your Family Guess | The End-of-Life Planning Nobody Talks About
  3. Jun 9

    Feelings vs. Facts: The Life Insurance Debate Nobody Wants to Have

    Is life insurance a scam? Is investing your money instead a better idea? And do you really need it if you're young and healthy? In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie respond to real comments from listeners and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding life insurance. The conversation gets passionate as they explain why term life insurance is often far more affordable than people think, why waiting can be one of the most expensive financial mistakes you'll ever make, and why protecting your family isn't about making someone rich—it's about buying them time when they need it most. They also dive into another hot topic: public adjusters. Are they worth hiring on every roof claim, or can they actually end up costing homeowners more money? Whether you agree or disagree, this episode challenges some of the most common opinions circulating online and separates feelings from facts when it comes to protecting your financial future. If you've ever wondered whether life insurance is really necessary, this is an episode you don't want to miss. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Responding to Your Comments01:25 – "If You Can't Afford It, You Can't Afford NOT to Have It"04:30 – Feelings vs. Facts About Life Insurance07:03 – Why Young Families Need Protection09:59 – Investing vs. Buying Life Insurance11:25 – Life Insurance Buys Time During Crisis15:33 – Protecting Stay-at-Home Parents & Breadwinners16:28 – The Biggest Misconceptions About Life Insurance22:29 – Do Single People Need Life Insurance?24:19 – Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?27:25 – When Public Adjusters Actually Make Sense29:40 – Final Thoughts & Listener Questions Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    Feelings vs. Facts: The Life Insurance Debate Nobody Wants to Have
  4. May 30

    Choose Your Discomfort | The Reality of Insurance in 2026

    It started as a conversation about insurance... And quickly turned into a therapy session for just about everyone living in 2026. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie tackle the growing frustration many consumers are feeling as prices continue to rise, health insurance becomes increasingly difficult to navigate, and information overload leaves people feeling stuck. From skyrocketing health insurance premiums and shrinking benefits to the constant pressure of being connected 24/7, this conversation explores why so many people feel exhausted—and what can actually be done about it. Along the way, they discuss:  Why health insurance costs continue to rise  The reality behind ACA plans and alternative coverage options  How employers are struggling with massive renewal increases  The concept of "choosing your discomfort" when evaluating coverage  Why information overload is creating decision paralysis  The difference between health insurance and actual healthcare  How consumers and agents are dealing with the same frustrations This episode is less about policies and paperwork—and more about the real-world impact insurance, healthcare, inflation, and uncertainty are having on everyday people. If you've ever looked at a renewal and thought, "You've got to be kidding me," this episode is for you. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – It's Been a Long Year Already 02:09 – Information Overload & Decision Paralysis 04:34 – Protecting Your Family in Uncertain Times 06:11 – Are Insurance Markets Finally Stabilizing? 07:20 – Why Health Insurance Keeps Getting More Expensive 09:16 – Alternatives to Traditional ACA Coverage 10:04 – "Choose Your Discomfort" 11:07 – The Employer Health Insurance Crisis 13:24 – Why People Shut Down When Talking About Insurance 14:38 – We're Consumers Too 17:25 – The Sticker Shock of Health Insurance Renewals 18:40 – Is the Healthcare System Reaching a Breaking Point? 20:19 – Health Insurance vs. Healthcare 22:42 – Why Nobody Knows What to Believe Anymore 23:19 – Living in a 24/7 World 24:24 – Society Is Tired, Confused & Overwhelmed 25:05 – Final Thoughts & Listener Feedback Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    Choose Your Discomfort | The Reality of Insurance in 2026
  5. May 18

    The Insurance Loophole Most Property Investors Miss

    You set up the LLC.You bought the rental property.You got insurance. So you’re protected… right? Maybe not. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie welcome investment property insurance specialist Todd Burnell to break down one of the biggest mistakes real estate investors make: 👉 Your insurance policy might not actually match your property ownership. And if the deed, LLC, and policy aren’t structured correctly?A lawsuit could expose way more than just the property. Todd explains: Why the phrase “the policy should follow the deed” mattersHow improperly structured LLCs can destroy your liability protectionThe difference between short-term and long-term rental risksWhy some major insurance carriers can’t properly insure LLC-owned homesHow investors are saving thousands by restructuring their coverageAnd why bundling multiple rental homes under one commercial policy can completely change the game The episode also dives into vacant property risks, renovations, water damage exclusions, umbrella policies, and how lowering insurance costs can actually help investors scale faster. If you own investment property—or plan to—this is the kind of episode you listen to before something goes wrong. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome Back & Meet Todd Burnell00:02:04 – The Insurance Problems Property Investors Don’t See00:07:48 – “What’s the Name of the LLC?”00:10:30 – Why the Policy MUST Match the Deed00:14:21 – Property Damage vs. Lawsuit Exposure00:18:01 – How LLCs Actually Protect Your Assets00:21:44 – Short-Term Rentals = Bigger Risks00:24:25 – The One Policy Strategy Saving Investors Thousands00:26:35 – Renovations, Vacant Homes & Coverage Gaps00:29:15 – The Hidden Risk After 60 Days Vacant00:30:29 – The 80% Coverage Strategy Explained00:31:47 – Lower Premiums Can Help You Scale Faster00:35:21 – Final Advice for Property Investors & Landlords

    The Insurance Loophole Most Property Investors Miss
  6. May 9

    Festivus for the Rest of Us… and Insurance Companies | The Airing of the Insurance Grievances

    It’s time for the annual Airing of the Grievances… insurance edition. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie vent about the thing everyone in insurance secretly complains about: 📞 endless hold times🤖 automated systems that solve nothing📧 underwriting departments that disappear for days📂 claims adjusters who never call back💸 rising premiums with shrinking coverage From fighting phone trees and broken billing systems to commercial underwriting games that make zero sense, this episode is basically therapy for insurance agents… and probably for clients too. Along the way, they break down: Why customer service in insurance feels worse than everHow AI is changing the industry (and not always for the better)The hidden frustrations behind claims handling and underwritingWhy agents are stuck balancing honesty with carrier relationshipsAnd the phrases that magically make claims departments move faster 👀 If you’ve ever yelled “REPRESENTATIVE!” into your phone while trying to fix an insurance problem…this episode is for you. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Festivus for the Insurance Industry00:02:30 – “The Carriers Have Gone Downhill”00:05:41 – The Portal, the Phone Tree & the Endless Waiting00:08:42 – Why Talking to a Human Feels Impossible00:10:22 – AI Customer Service Is Already Here00:13:06 – Billing Problems Nobody Can Explain00:16:36 – Spam Calls vs. Actual Insurance Calls00:19:22 – Claims Adjusters That Vanish Into Thin Air00:23:17 – The Secret Phrases That Get Claims Moving00:25:10 – Commercial Underwriting Games & Delays00:31:23 – Why Health Insurance Keeps Getting Worse00:35:42 – Why Insurance Agents Get Frustrated Too00:40:52 – What’s YOUR Biggest Insurance Grievance? Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    Festivus for the Rest of Us… and Insurance Companies | The Airing of the Insurance Grievances
  7. May 1

    Storm Damage Doesn’t Mean a New Roof… Here’s What Actually Happens | Insurance Gone Wild

    Storm season is here—and if you think a little wind or hail means a brand-new roof, you might be in for a rude awakening. In this episode of Insurance Gone Wild, Dennis and Stephanie break down what really happens when storms hit your home, your car, and your insurance policy. From wind vs. hail claims to the frustrating truth about partial roof replacements, they unpack the biggest misconceptions homeowners have during storm season. They also dive into why your neighbor getting a new roof means absolutely nothing for your claim, how cheap shingles can cost you thousands later, and why flood risk is way more common than you think—even in the middle of the city. Plus, they cover real-world scenarios like lightning strikes on vehicles, wind-blown debris damage, and the one thing you should always prioritize over your property when things go sideways. If you own a home, a car, or frankly… anything—this episode will save you headaches, money, and possibly a massive insurance mistake. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 – Storm Season Is Here (And It’s Worse Than You Think)00:06:01 – Why Wind Damage Rarely Means a Full Roof Replacement00:10:08 – The Truth About Wind-Blown Rain (And What’s Not Covered)00:11:22 – Your Neighbor’s Claim Means Nothing for You00:14:07 – Tree Damage, Bad Faith Claims & Avoiding Disaster00:17:05 – What Actually Counts as Auto Insurance Coverage in Storms00:21:31 – Cheap Shingles = Expensive Problems Later00:24:07 – Flood Zones Aren’t Where You Think They Are00:27:19 – You Can’t Stop Water… So What Do You Do? Email: Contact@IGWpodcast.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsuranceGoneWild Get a Quote!Panatela Group: https://panatelagroup.com/Call: 817-753-0093

    Storm Damage Doesn’t Mean a New Roof… Here’s What Actually Happens | Insurance Gone Wild

About

Insurance Gone Wild,” hosted by Dennis Settlemoir and Stephanie Lencioni, the discussion centers around the intricate and often frustrating world of insurance as it relates to YOU the consumer. Our Motto is ”We are consumers too! And those payments can SUCK!”