Legal professional general, DOH commissioner difficulty alert on health and fitness insurance policy renewal cons

Fri, Could 12th 2023 04:50 pm

Submitted by the New York State Legal professional General’s Business

New York Legal professional Common Letitia James and Performing Office of Wellness Commissioner Dr. James McDonald warned New Yorkers about a new fraud concentrating on New Yorkers enrolled in general public health and fitness insurance coverage applications and delivered significant suggestions to safeguard individuals.

For the first time due to the fact March 2020, individuals enrolled in Medicaid, Youngster Well being Plus, and the Necessary Prepare will have to renew their overall health insurance coverage coverage. James and McDonald are urging New Yorkers to be vigilant in light of reviews of scammers deceptively calling men and women and asking them to spend hundreds of bucks to sustain their wellness insurance coverage.

“It is despicable that scammers are striving to exploit New Yorkers’ need for high quality wellbeing insurance policy and uncertainty around ongoing Medicaid coverage,” James mentioned. “The very best instrument shoppers and families have to combat frauds is understanding, and that is why I am fully commited to increasing this problem. I urge all people to adhere to our critical tips, and any individual impacted by this fraud to get hold of my office straight away.” 

McDonald stated, “These strategies are maliciously preying on general public wellbeing insurance enrollees as they navigate the return of renewals for the to start with time in 3 many years. These types of actions are downright criminal, and I question all New Yorkers to go through these rules and assist secure every single other from this fraudulent abuse.”

The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 ended the ongoing protection necessities productive March 31, 2023. As a end result, New York point out has resumed the apply of examining and renewing eligibility for all those enrolled in Medicaid, Little one Health As well as, and the Necessary Strategy. Starting in mid-March, enrollees were sent renewal notices with thorough guidelines of how to continue to be covered and their deadline to take action.

There have been reviews of scammers using advantage of this system and threatening New Yorkers that their Medicaid protection is at chance for cancellation or that they have really already shed their Medicaid benefits, until they give hundreds of pounds to reinstate or keep on added benefits. This is false, and New York companies that administer Medicaid gains will never charge or request for money from shoppers to enroll or re-enroll.

New Yorkers are encouraged to visit the New York State Department of Wellness web site or its Medicaid information website page to find out how they can renew overall health insurance policy. 

Additionally, James and McDonald delivered the subsequent suggestions:

√ No one particular can at any time charge you a charge to renew your overall health insurance plan in Medicaid, Youngster Wellness Plus, or the Essential Strategy. If you enrolled in health insurance through the New York Condition of Well being, several persons are readily available to help you renew for cost-free. These include the state’s health licensed enrollment assistors (like navigators, brokers and brokers), and purchaser assistance associates. For details or direction, pay a visit to the Condition of Health’s website or simply call 1-855-355-5777. If you enrolled in Medicaid through both your county’s Medicaid business office or by way of New York City’s Human Sources Administration (HRA), there are also lots of persons obtainable to assistance you for absolutely free. Call the office environment where by you enrolled to inquire concerns and get support with renewing your insurance policy.

√ Government companies will in no way threaten you, need you pay back money, or ask for credit rating information in a textual content information or phone connect with.

√ Report suspected fraud. Call the New York State of Health’s Client Provider Centre at 1-855-355-5777. TTY buyers really should contact 1-800-662-1220. Call your county’s Medicaid workplace or HRA at the telephone selection outlined on the State of Health’s Medicaid web page. Contact the Office environment of the Attorney General’s (OAG) health and fitness treatment helpline at 1-800-428-9071 or the New York State Section of Fiscal Services’ customer hotline at 1-800-342-3736.

Further facts about renewing your protection: 

√ If you enrolled in wellness insurance by means of NY State of Wellbeing, several people today are readily available to assist you renew for no cost. These incorporate NY Condition of Health and fitness-licensed enrollment assistors (including navigators, agents, and brokers) and consumer provider reps. Find enable at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or 1-855-355-5777.

√ If you enrolled in Medicaid via both your county’s Medicaid business or by way of HRA, there are also lots of persons offered to support you for absolutely free. Get in touch with the business where by you enrolled to question questions and get assist with renewing your insurance.

√ Keep your personalized facts private. Only share facts required to renew with another person you know is possibly a NY State of Overall health-certified enrollment assistor or customer support consultant, a facilitated enroller for the aged, blind and disabled or an employee of your county’s Medicaid place of work or HRA.

√ Look for the official NY State of Wellness or Medicaid logos, or the emblem of your county’s Medicaid office environment or HRA ahead of you comprehensive any forms.

Any New Yorker who suspects that they are a sufferer of a fraud are inspired to report it to OAG by submitting a complaint on the net or contacting 1-800-771-7755.