New Scams in Connection with Health Care Reform
Reports indicate that health care reform is giving criminals new ways to scam American citizens. These scammers, portraying government officials, are going door to door to people without insurance telling them that, according to the new laws, they have to sign up for a health insurance policy right now and that opportunities for signing up are limited.
The uninsured person gives all of his or her information to the scammer and begins making what they believe are "premium" payments, but these payments are going towards fake policies and directly into scammers' pockets. Actually, the new law gives individuals until 2014 to purchase coverage before any penalty is enforced.
Another scam is geared toward the Medicare prescription reimbursement checks. The new law takes effect this year and is designed to fill the "gap" coverage in prescription benefits. The government actually mails a $250 rebate check to the recipient. The scammers ask the recipient for personal information so that they can issue a new prescription/Medicare card. Scammers are targeting not only senior citizens but others who receive government benefits. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offer tips to avoid being the victim.
1. Beware of all types of solicitation. (email, fax, telephone, face-to-face)
2. Check if insurer is a legitimate business. Check with your state insurance department to see if the business is a legitimate business before giving out personal information.
3. Keep Paperwork.
4. Give the insurer a 30-day Deadline to send you your paperwork.
5. If you are a medicare beneficiary, do not provide any personal information to someone you don't know.
To learn more about this article, visit Health reform's side effect: Scams.
If you live in North Florida and have a question about changes in healthcare law, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A., a Jacksonville, Florida law firm.
