AG issues warning about health insurance scams

New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert, warning New Yorkers about common health insurance scams as open enrollment begins for insurance plans through New York's Affordable Care Act marketplace.

New Yorkers have until Dec. 15 to enroll through the New York State of Health marketplace for health coverage taking effect Jan. 1. Health insurance scams spike during open enrollment periods, according to a news release from James' office.

"New Yorkers must be able to secure health insurance free from predatory scammers trying to take advantage of them," James said. "As New Yorkers take advantage of this year's open enrollment period, I urge everyone to be cautious and contact my office if they think they are the target of a scam or fraud. Affordable and accessible health care is a fundamental right, and my office will do everything in its power to protect New Yorkers seeking to secure insurance for themselves and their families."

Enrollment in New York's public health programs — Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential plan — is open year-round. However, New York state requires enrollees to renew their eligibility for the health plans every year. Enrollees are sent renewal notices in advance of their coverage end dates with detailed instructions on how to stay covered and their deadline to renew. To enroll in commercial health insurance for 2025, New Yorkers must do so during the open enrollment period which lasts from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. New Yorkers have until Dec. 15 to enroll for coverage that will start on Jan. 1. Otherwise, coverage will begin Feb. 1, according to the release.

New Yorkers should look out for the following tactics scammers used to target those who are trying to obtain or keep health insurance, the release stated:

Scammers often use fear by threatening New Yorkers that their Medicaid or other health coverage are at risk of cancellation, or that they have already lost their Medicaid or other health coverage unless they provide hundreds of dollars to reinstate or continue benefits.

Scammers will also use false offers of generosity to lure New Yorkers into providing personal information. This is typically done through phishing scams offering people gift cards or money to "update" their health accounts so as not to lose coverage.

Scammers may ask for money to enroll people in marketplace or "Obamacare" insurance. The New York agencies that administer Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Essential Plan benefits will never use the term "Obamacare" or ask for money from consumers to enroll or re-enroll. They will also not offer New Yorkers rewards to renew their coverage.

James provided the following tips and reminders for New Yorkers to avoid common scams:

No one can ever charge a fee to renew health insurance in Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan.

If enrolled in health insurance through the NY State of Health, many people are available to help residents renew for free. These include the state's health-certified enrollment assistors (including navigators, agents, and brokers) and customer service representatives. For information or guidance, visit the NY State of Health website or call 1-855-355-5777. The phone line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

If enrolled in Medicaid through either a county Medicaid office or through New York City's Human Resources Administration, there are also many people available to help for free. Contact the office where you enrolled to ask questions and get help with renewing insurance.

Government agencies will never threaten, demand payment, or ask for credit information in a text message, email, or phone call.

Many websites will try to make residents think that they are the official New York state health insurance marketplace, the release stated. There is only one official NY State of Health website. Submitting contact information to some websites may lead to calls, texts or emails from scammers.

Any New Yorker who suspects that they are a victim of a scam is encouraged to report it to OAG by submitting a complaint online or calling 1-800-771-7755.