Beware Of Healthcare Scams During Open Enrollment: CT Officials

HARTFORD, CT – State officials are warning Connecticut residents to look out for scammers using federal open enrollment periods to lure consumers into buying fake health plans or obtain financial/personal information. They have also provided a list of warning signs that could indicate a healthcare coverage-related scam.

This alert comes after an email scam was reported to the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Insurance, Attorney General George Jepsen, state Department of Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade and Access Health CT CEO Jim Wadleigh said in a release Friday.

The email purported to offer "TrumpCare-AHCA" plans to Connecticut residents through a fake website and phone number. AHCA refers to the federal American Health Care Act, which was not passed by Congress and is not in effect.

"Scammers are using the confusion over the federal healthcare debate to try to victimize consumers during the current open enrollment periods," Jepsen said in a release. "It is an unfortunate reality that scammers frequently use current events to take advantage of people. For those consumers who are right now looking at their healthcare options for the coming year, it's very important to be cautious and take steps to protect yourself and ensure that the policy and insurer that you're considering is legitimate.

The open enrollment periods for both the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and certain Medicare plans are currently underway. Open enrollment for Medicare ends on Dec. 7, and open enrollment for individual health insurance plans ends on Dec. 22.

"If consumers have any questions or concerns about the validity of an insurance company, I urge them to contact the Insurance Department," Wade said in a release. "We can help with this or any other insurance issue."

Access Health CT is Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace through the ACA. For more information about purchasing a health plan through the official marketplace, visit accesshealthct.com, call 855-805-4325 or text "GetCoveredCT" to 30644.

"Buying healthcare coverage can be confusing and these scams are seeking to take advantage of consumers as they are making critical decisions about their plans for 2018," Wadleigh said in a release. "Access Health CT is the only place where you can shop and sign up for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. If you've got questions or concerns, give us a call, we are here to help."

For more information about Medicare plans and options, visit www.medicare.gov or call the Connecticut Department of Aging's CHOICES program at 800-994-9422.

To contact the Insurance Department, visit www.ct.gov/cid or email insurance@ct.gov.

Officials advised that Connecticut residents should watch for warning signs of healthcare coverage-related scams, including:

• Don't click links or open attachments to emails unless you're absolutely sure of the source. Scammers will often use malicious documents and websites to try to gain access to your computer or device
• High pressure tactics are common indicators of a scam, as are requirements that payments be sent through a prepaid debit card, money order or gift card. Once money is sent, it is often difficult, if not impossible to recover
• Watch for warning signs that a website or a phone number is not legitimate. Did the email come from an email address that doesn't look official? When you hover over a Web link (remember, don't click it!), does the previewed website address seem fishy? When in doubt, call the Attorney General or the Insurance Department first
• Never provide Social Security numbers or other personal identifying information to unsolicited telephone callers, through email, or to door-to-door salesmen claiming they need such information to ensure continued participation in Medicare or other government programs
• Beware of scammers creating fictitious insurance companies. Consumers who purchase "policies" from these fake insurers typically do not find out they have become victims until they go to make a medical claim, which is either unpaid or the insurer cannot be located. Before you write a check or sign a contract, call the Connecticut Insurance Department to verify the insurance company and agent are licensed in this state

Consumers with questions or concerns can contact:

• the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318
• the Insurance Department at 800-203-3447
• Access Health CT at 855-805-4325

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