TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)- The Idaho Department of Insurance is warning residents to watch out for a scam concerning health insurance. The department says it has gotten complaints from citizens saying they've gotten calls from a group trying to sell them insurance. See the departments news release and tips below:

Online Health
Yanik Chauvin
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BOISE ID (August 9, 2016) – The Idaho Department of Insurance has been made aware of a possible scam by a company using deceptive practices to market health insurance in Idaho. Your Health Idaho, Idaho’s health insurance exchange, has received complaints from consumers about an organization called National Enrollment Center. Multiple attempts to contact the company went unanswered or were disconnected.

 

“We don’t really know what type of health insurance they are selling,” says Consumer Services Bureau Chief Elaine Mellon. “When pressed for details about what company they sell for, what type of insurance they are selling, or licensing information, they hang up.”

 

The Department of Insurance has a list of tips and information for consumers who are contacted by anyone attempting to sell insurance:

  • Open enrollment for health insurance will run November 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017 – no special “state enrollment period” for individual health insurance exists. Anyone offering insurance plans through an “enrollment period” outside of open enrollment is not selling an ACA-compliant policy.
  • No one offering ACA-compliant health care coverage will ask if you have a pre-existing condition.
  • The federal government will not call you to sell you health insurance. Be wary of telemarketers from the “National Enrollment Center,” “National Healthcare Center,” or other official-sounding names.
  • Never provide bank account or health information or agree to any request to send money over the phone. If you are being pressured to provide this information, hang up.
  • Purchase insurance only from a licensed agent. Ask agents for their license number and verify licensure by calling the Department or visiting the website, www.doi.idaho.gov. If a person refuses to provide licensing information, hang up.
  • If you receive a sales call from someone selling health insurance, ask the caller to send you information in writing about the policy, including premiums. If they refuse, hang up.

 

People with questions about this or other insurance-related topics are encouraged to contact the Idaho Department of Insurance by visiting www.doi.idaho.gov or by calling 334-4250 in the Boise area or 800-721-3272 toll-free statewide.

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