Health insurance renewal scam targeting some New Yorkers

New Yorkers enrolled in public health insurance programs are being targeted by a scam, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James Mc- Donald.

For the first time since March 2020, people enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan will have to renew their health insurance coverage. There have been reports of scammers threatening New Yorkers that their Medicaid coverage is at risk for cancellation or that they have already lost Medicaid benefits, unless they provide hundreds of dollars to reinstate or continue benefits. This is false, and New York agencies that administer Medicaid benefits will never charge or ask for money from consumers to enroll or re-enroll.

For information about renewing health insurance, New Yorkers are encouraged to visit the New York State Department of Health website at info.nystateofhealth .ny.gov/COVID-19-Changes or its Medicaid information page at www.health.ny.gov/ health_ care/medicaid/.

Additional tips include:

No one can ever charge you a fee to renew your health insurance in Medicaid, Child Health Plus or the Essential Plan. If you enrolled in health insurance through the New York State of Health, call 1-855- 355-5777 or visit nystateof health.ny.gov/ for information or help renewing for free. If you enrolled in Medicaid through your county's Medicaid office, contact the office where you enrolled to ask questions and get help with renewing your insurance.

Government agencies will never threaten you, demand you pay money or ask for credit information in a text message or phone call.

Report suspected fraud.

Additional information about renewing your coverage:

If you enrolled in health insurance through NY State of Health, find help renewing for free at nystate ofhealth.ny.gov or 1-855- 355-5777.

If you enrolled in Medicaid through your county's Medicaid office, contact the office where you enrolled to ask questions and get help with renewing your insurance.

Keep your personal information private. Only share information needed to renew with someone you know is either a NY State of Health-certified enrollment aide or customer service representative; a facilitated enroll assistant for the aged, blind and disabled; or an employee of your county's Medicaid office.

Look for the official NY State of Health or Medicaid logos or the logo of your county's Medicaid office or HRA before you complete any forms.

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