Scams

via the Maine Insurance Dept:

Maine Superintendent of Insurance Bob Carey encourages Maine consumers to be cautious when shopping for health plans during the annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period.  Open enrollment for plan year 2025 is open now. For coverage to begin on January 1, 2025, Maine people must enroll by December 15, 2024. The final deadline to enroll is January 15, 2025 for coverage to begin on February 1, 2025.

The Maine Bureau of Insurance wants consumers to be aware that many legitimate-looking health plans they may see when doing an internet search may not offer comprehensive coverage and may not be authorized to be sold in Maine.

Consumers are urged to shop for plans at CoverME.gov, Maine’s health insurance marketplace, which offers health plans that have been reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Insurance and is the only place Maine residents can get financial savings to lower monthly premiums.  Consumers can also call CoverME.gov at 1-866-636-0355; TTY: 711, Monday-Friday, 8 am – 8 pm during the Open Enrollment Period.

via NY State of Health:

Enrollment Remains Open Across All Marketplace Programs for Duration of Public Health Emergency Unwind

Albany, N.Y. (February 28, 2024) – Representatives from NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, will make an appearance at job fairs across the State beginning next month to inform New Yorkers about their options for quality, affordable health insurance. Certified enrollment assistants will be available to help uninsured job seekers find a plan that fits their budget and health needs and guide existing enrollees through the new renewal process to keep their coverage current.

via NY State of Health:

• Certified Enrollment Assistors Visit Colleges Across New York State
• New Yorkers Who Enroll by February 15 Will Have Coverage in Place for March 1

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 9, 2024) – NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan Marketplace, today announced an informational college campaign, with events taking place on campuses throughout New York State. Certified enrollment assistors will be visiting schools to talk to students about affordable, quality health insurance through the Marketplace, and help current enrollees renew their coverage. Enrollment for 2024 coverage is currently open for Medicaid, Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and Qualified Health Plans (QHP). Consumers who enroll by February 15 will have coverage for March 1.

As I noted last week, while the 2024 ACA Open Enrollment Period ended in most states back on January 15th, and in several more as late as January 31st, there are two remaining states where it's technically still going on: California, which bumped their final Open Enrollment deadline out by an extra 9 days at the last minute on the 31st, and New York, which announced last fall that they're keeping enrollment fully open to anyone all the way out until the end of May, to coincide with the end of the ongoing Medicaid Unwinding process.

Thanks to Louise Norris for catching this one.

This is a bit odd...… earlier today I noted that Covered California is extending their Final 2024 Open enrollment deadline out until January 9th due to a service center issue they had over the past few days. A key thing about this, however, is that they included a formal press release to announce the extension.

By contrast, New York State of Health, also supposed to have a deadline of midnight tonight, just posted the following tweet without any formal press release being emailed or posted on their website. Of this writing there's also no notice posted on the front page website.

Very strange, although perhaps they'll send one out/post a notice tonight or tomorrow morning?

NY State of Health hasn't issued any formal 2024 Open Enrollment Period press releases with hard enrollment data yet, but they have posted this January 2024 Essential Plan and Qualified Health Plan Enrollment by County and Plan report.

Most of the report is devoted to breaking out enrollment in NY's Basic Health Plan (BHP) program, called the Essential Plan in the Empire State, but it also breaks out enrollment in Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) as of January 1st via their ACA exchange platform by county...including statewide summaries at the bottom.

As of January 1st, 2024, NYSoH reports:

• 1,197,534 BHP enrollees
• 276,962 QHP enrollees

I don't remember whether the deadline for January 1st effectuation was 12/15 or 12/31 in New York, but assuming it was 12/31 this means a whopping 32% more people signed up by New Year's Eve than last year at the same point (209,854). If it was 12/15, it's a bit higher (32.6%).

via 95.3 WIKI:

Indianapolis – The Indiana Department of Insurance is issuing a warning to Hoosiers seeking health insurance coverage through the Federal Marketplace. The department advises caution regarding websites offering rewards like debit or cash cards in exchange for signing up through them. These “lead generating” websites collect users’ personal information and may provide inaccurate information about insurance coverage. The department urges Indiana residents to exercise skepticism regarding third-party websites promoting marketplace health plans and incentives. 

“Consumers should verify information directly through official marketplace resources before entering any personal details or selecting a plan,” stated Alexandria Peck, Indiana Department of Insurance Chief Deputy Commissioner of Compliance. If you suspect fraud, contact the Indiana Attorney General’s office.

via NY State of Health:

• Enrollees in Public Health Insurance Programs Must Take Steps to Renew their Coverage for 2024

• New Yorkers Shopping for Qualified Health Plans Can Enroll by December 15 for
  Coverage Starting January 1

  ALBANY, N.Y. (December 8, 2023) – NY State of Health, the state's official health plan Marketplace, is working together with food pantries to help New Yorkers fight food insecurity and help them access high-quality, low-cost health insurance for the seventh consecutive holiday season. NY State of Health’s annual open enrollment period for Qualified Health Plans started November 16 and consumers who enroll by December 15 will have health coverage starting January 1, 2024.

via NY State of Health:

• Health Insurance Scams Related to Renewals Are Increasing

• Health Commissioner and Attorney General Offer Tips to Avoid Scams

ALBANY, NY. (November 16, 2023) State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and Attorney General Letitia James today cautioned New Yorkers about health insurance enrollment scams as 2024 enrollment through the NY State of Health is set to begin on November 16.

The NY State of Health, New York’s Health Plan Marketplace, offers one-stop health insurance shopping for both public health programs, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan, and commercial health insurance, Qualified Health Plans. Earlier this year, after the pandemic’s continuous coverage rules expired, New York State resumed the practice of reviewing and renewing eligibility for those enrolled in the public health programs. Health insurance scams regarding these renewals are increasing.

via MNsure:

Minnesota Department of Commerce and MNsure, Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, are issuing a joint public service announcement alerting consumers to be aware of scams targeting Minnesotans who are no longer eligible for Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program).

This alert is specifically for Minnesotans who submitted their Medical Assistance renewal paperwork, found out they do not qualify for the program, and need to find new health insurance. When trying to buy health insurance, they may be vulnerable to scams from someone pretending to be MNsure that sells them a bogus insurance product. In some cases, scammers have taken money from consumers by saying they must pay for help enrolling in a plan or asking them to pay for premiums up front over the phone.

“Consumers should be on the alert for health insurance scams, including people claiming to represent MNsure who are not legitimate. MNsure.org is the safest place for consumers to shop for and buy health insurance with confidence or connect with a trusted, MNsure-certified assister for free application and enrollment help,” said CEO Libby Caulum.