Many people are confused about the Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare.” For people on Medicare, the ACA offers many new preventative services, but there is no need to seek new coverage. Medicare recipients do not need to shop on the newly formed health care exchanges.
But the con artists are out in force, taking advantage of confusion about the new law. Many scams are ploys to steal your identity.
Watch out for these scams and warn others, particularly the older loved ones in your family: The Medicare scare tactic: Many people over 65 have received frightening phone calls saying they will lose their Medicare coverage unless they provide their Social Security
number and other personal information.
Do not fall for the line that you need to get an Affordable Care Act insurance card. There is NO Affordable Care Card. The phon “government employee” phone call: Elderly people are prime targets. A caller claims to be from the federal government wanting to confirm “eligibility” for Obamacare. Hang up. Federal agencies contact people by mail, not by phone or email.
Bogus Obamacare navigators: The Affordable Care Act created a trained force of “navigators” to help the public sign up for coverage.
But, others are posing as navigators, stealing identity or selling phony coverage. They may charge you for their services. If you ques-
tion a navigator’s certification, call the Colorado Division of Insurance, 303-894-7490.
Other tactics: For those adults who are not yet on Medicare, some insurance companies are pressuring policyholders to renew in advance.
The Affordable Care Act requires anyone selling or renewing health insurance to provide information about all options. In addition, it is
unlawful for insurers to sell an Affordable Care Act health exchange policy to anyone on Medicare.
The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers try to take advantage of developments in the marketplace and new government programs. Consumer advocates expect that fraudsters’ schemes will get worse over the next 4 to six months. For legitimate information concerning the Affordable Care Act and the health insurance exchanges, go to Healthcare.gov, or call the federal toll-free hotline 800-318-2596.
Colorado’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program helps people eligible or enrolled in Medicare with questions about health insurance. Call 1-888-696-7213. Each county’s Area Agency on Aging or aging services department can also lead people to the appropriate organization who can answer questions on the new health care law. Many area hospitals or public health organizations also provide counseling and guidance about health insurance.
Helen Davis is the coordinator for the Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Abuse Prevention. (CCERAP) is supported by the Colorado Department of Human Services, State Unit on Aging. Additional resources and information are available on CCERAP’s Website