Health Care Reform Insurance Policy Scam
05/05/2010
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com District Attorney Charles Branson received notification and wants to warn Douglas County citizens about health insurance scams that began cropping up after President Obama signed the national health care reform law. While emotions run high across the Country, both for and against health care reform, this environment is ripe for exploitation by scammers who are mainly targeting the elderly. These con artists are going door-to-door claiming to be federal employees with "ObamaCare" peddling insurance policies with a limited time to buy. There have been reports of this scam across the nation including Kansas and Missouri. "I just cannot stress enough the importance of simply turning these scammers away at your door and if they do not immediately leave, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement. I want these cons to know they are not welcome in our county," advised Branson. The following health care security information may reduce your likelihood of falling prey to the scammers. - Check out the insurance company and its reputation with the Kansas Insurance Commissioner or Better Business Bureau. - Avoid dealing with a sales person who withholds information until after you sign up for the insurance plan. - Do not sign any paperwork until you have thoroughly investigated the company. - Never give out personal information until you know the person you are dealing with. - Be extremely cautious of any person or a document stating "Required by the health care reform," "Limited enrollment," "Guaranteed benefits," or "Affordable health coverage." - Call your health care provider to make sure they are participating in the plan being offered. - Even after new health insurance marketplaces open for business in 2014, door-to-door sales people are unlikely to promote the new insurance plans. All door-to-door insurance sales people must have a permit, so one way to avoid falling prey to these scammers is to ask to see a valid transient merchant's license. Consumers who receive this solicitation are encouraged to contact the District Attorney's Consumer Protection Division intake line at 330-2849. Some of the information in this document is from the Better Business Bureau. www.bbb.org.
Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright - Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com