Florida Blue warns consumers about scam health insurance robocalls

Nov. 05--Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, also known as Florida Blue, wants consumers to know it is not affiliated with telephone solicitations claiming to offer plans from well-known insurers, including "Blue Cross."

"Florida Blue has been made aware of people across Florida reporting unsolicited, unauthorized, automated calls talking about Open Enrollment -- including claims to offer medical plans from a number of insurers, including 'Blue Cross,'" said Douglas Bartel, the company's senior director of media and external relations.

"These calls are not from Florida Blue or anyone representing us."

Florida is among the nation's biggest targets for scam robocalls, according to YouMail.com, which makes robocall blocking software and maintains a monthly projection of robocalls across the United States.

In October, Florida received 394 million robocalls -- third after Texas (593 million) and California (561 million). Fifty-five million robocalls were to numbers in the 954 area code -- sixth-most in the nation.

The 305 area code was targeted with 41 million robocalls and the 561 area code received 31 million of the automated calls. Of 590 million robocalls made nationwide in October, 53 million pitched health insurance scams, according to the company's data.

Some of the calls claim to offer plans from Florida Blue and competing health insurers, Bartel said. In fact, "Florida Blue does not make calls to clients offering competitor products," he said.

"Florida Blue and those calling on our behalf will identify themselves, let members know the reason for the call, and ask for certain information (such as a birth date) to ensure we are speaking with the right person," Bartel said. "We will never require members to give us financial or banking information, or ask for full Social Security numbers, over the phone."

Other accused health insurance scammers have reportedly used the Blue Cross Blue Shield name and trademark when pitching their products.

Last week, a Hollywood-based health insurance marketer was shut down and its assets seized amid charges by the Federal Trade Commission that it misrepresented itself as affiliated with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and AARP.

The company collected more than $100 million by selling consumers "worthless plans," the FTC said in a news release.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a national association of 36 independent community-based and locally operated companies, according to the association's website. The association owns and manages trademarks and names in more than 170 counties around the world, the site states.

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