Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Consumers Beware Of Health Care Scam
Scam artists may be attempting to defraud consumers about recently enacted federal health insurance reforms.
Reports from across the nation indicate fake agents and sales representatives are going door-to-door claiming to be with the federal government to peddle phony health insurance policies. Elderly consumers are prime targets for these scams.
“Tennesseans should beware of door-to-door health insurance sales,” says TDCI Commissioner Leslie A. Newman, “or requests for immediate purchase of ‘limited enrollment’ federal health policies.”
Just like with limited health plans advertised through e-mails or blast faxes, consumers should be wary of these unconventional ways of selling insurance and should always contact the Department to verify the company and product being marketed.
Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from health insurance scams:
- Be wary if someone shows up at your home or calls you and claims to be with the federal government and tries to sell you anything. Although U.S. Census workers may come to your house or call you during the next few months to obtain information about your household for the 2010 Census, employees from other federal agencies usually will not. Medicare staffers will not visit your home or call you unless you request it.
- Don’t be fooled by sophisticated sales pitches. In some states, the fraudulent sales representatives are attempting to sell a bogus product called an “ObamaCare Insurance Policy.” They may also tell you that the policy is being offered during a “limited enrollment period” created by the health care reform. Health insurance policies are issued by companies and not through legislation.
- Be careful if someone tries to pressure you into signing anything or objects if you ask for someone else to be present during a sales pitch. Legitimate insurance agents and brokers should not pressure you or mind if you have someone you trust listen to their presentation with you.
- Don’t give out personal information – including your bank account number, Social Security number or your Medicare number – to strangers.
- Always make sure an insurance agent and company are licensed by TDCI. Call the TDCI Consumer Help Line to verify whether an agent or company you’re considering doing business with is licensed. You can also use features on the agency website to find currently licensed insurance companies and insurance agents. Contact the department by calling 1-800-342-4029 or 615-532-7389, visiting www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance or e-mailing insurance.info@tn.gov.
If you believe you have been the target of a fraudulent insurance-related scam, call TDCI’s Fraud Hot Line or utilize the Online Form for Reporting Insurance Fraud. Contact them via
1-800-792-7573 or
www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance/complaint.shtml
Free JavaScripts provided
by The JavaScript Source
.
