State warns about health insurance scams

MONTPELIER - The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation has seen an uptick in health care scams.

DFR reminds Vermont residents that the only legitimate, state-certified individual health insurance plans available in Vermont are Qualified Health Plans. Qualified Health Plans are only available from Vermont Health Connect, which is administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access, or directly from the health insurance companies Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and MVP Health Care.

The annual open enrollment period for selecting a Qualified Health Plan is Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. While health insurance fraud scams occur throughout the year, scammers increase their efforts during the annual open enrollment period.

Be alert and protect yourself from fraud when searching for health insurance coverage online.

When searching the internet for Vermont Health Connect, be aware of websites offering insurance as "Obamacare," "ACA compliant" or "minimum essential coverage." Only use the following links to purchase individual or small group health insurance coverage in Vermont:

• https://healthconnect.vermont.gov

• www.bluecrossvt.org/our-plans/individuals- and-families/plans-individuals- and-families

• www.mvphealthcare.com/plans/individual- family Fraudulent websites may describe insurance plans as "Obamacare," "ACA compliant" or offering "minimum essential coverage" or require joining a "limited partnership" before coverage becomes effective. Often consumers discover they don't have a legitimate health plan when they need services and discover the plans have limited to no coverage. Consumers should also be wary of anyone who calls attempting to sell health insurance plans as these are likely to be scams. Legitimate health insurers do not cold call consumers to sell plans.

Follow these steps to prevent fraud:

• If you apply online, look in the URL bar and make sure it starts with https:// portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov or https://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov

• To verify information or enroll, call the Department of Vermont Health Access call center at 855-899-9600.

• The state has trained assisters to help you. If you use an assister, keep a record of the person's name, who they work for, their telephone number, mailing address and email.

• Double check any information that is confusing or sounds suspicious.

• Don't sign anything unless you understand it.

• Never give out your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to someone who calls or comes to your home uninvited, or to companies you didn't contact, or in response to advertisements.

If you are not receiving health insurance through your employer or Vermont Medicaid and you have purchased a health insurance plan from anyone other than BCBSVT or MVP, or if you have any questions about potential health insurance scams, email DFR at dfr.insuranceinfo@ vermont.gov or call 800 964-1784.

For more tips on avoiding fraud see: https://info.healthconnect.vermont. gov/learn-more/avoiding-fraud