DELAWAREANS URGED TO BEWARE OF FRAUD SCHEMES INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO REPRESENT THE FEDERAL HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

NEW CASTLE (March 19, 2014) - Delawareans who are enrolling in health coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace are urged to be alert to contacts from people fraudulently claiming to be related to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

These scams might become more frequent as the March 31 enrollment deadline nears.

The state has received at least one recent report of a consumer who got a call from someone claiming to represent the Affordable Care Act who tried to collect a premium payment over the phone. When the consumer asked the person to confirm the consumer's address, the caller hung up.

Premium payments are made between the consumer and the insurance company; no other party should be involved in the transaction.

After individuals apply for coverage they may get a phone call from the federal Health Insurance Marketplace asking them to verify or provide more information so a customer service representative can process the application. Follow these tips to help prevent fraud:

• The customer service representative will say they are calling from the Marketplace and provide a full name and agent ID number. Write them down.
• A Marketplace representative may leave a message on your answering machine. If this happens, you won't be able to call back. If the Marketplace can't reach you after three tries, you will get a mailed letter telling you what to do next.
• Never give financial information, like your banking, credit card, or account numbers, to someone who calls or comes to your home uninvited, even if they say they are from the Marketplace.
• Callers might claim that you need a new Obamacare insurance or Medicare card. This is not true; you are not required to obtain new insurance or Medicare cards because of the Affordable Care Act.
• If you are contacted by anyone who says you are required to act during a "limited time" to purchase a new plan or update your information, simply hang up and do not give out any personal information. Do not reply to fraudulent emails or text messages.

Official marketplace guides are available to review plans with Delawareans in-person. They have undergone extensive background checks and have a state-issued ID badge. Anyone who offers to help you with enrollment should present this identification.

If you suspect you have been the target of a fraudulent insurance scheme you may report the incident to the fraud division at the Delaware Department of Insurance at 302-674-7350 or 800-632-5154.

March 31 is the last day to enroll for Marketplace coverage effective in 2014 or face a possible tax penalty. For more information, including a list of enrollment events staffed by Delaware's marketplace guides, go to www.ChooseHealthDE.com. To enroll directly, go to www.HealthCare.gov or call 1 (800) 318-2596.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.