Carol Odell, CEO of BBB of Southern Colorado, posted this excellent blog today about the imminent wave of health care related scams, as con-artists seek to capitalize on consumers’ confusion with the new legislation. We thought we would share her thoughts with Southern Arizona consumers:

Health care is changing. With that change you will see confusion. Con artists love confusion. It gives them an advantage.

We are already hearing reports of health care scams in various states. Within time these scams will spread to all of the states. Here are some scam scenarios.

- A company calls and says it is part of the government health care reform program that only has a few enrollment spots left. Then, they ask for your bank account number.

- Some people are going door to door selling fake insurance policies. They are trying to trick consumers into buying coverage using a nonexistent  ‘limited enrollment’ period that they falsely claim was made possible by the new health care laws.

Protect yourself by applying the rules to health care that you do to anything else such as credit cards.

• Don’t give out person information such as policy numbers, insurance ID number, Medicare claim number.
• Don’t let anyone in your house that you don’t know.
• Never pay insurance premiums in cash.
• Be wary of people offering you free medical services or equipment.
• Don’t sign blank insurance claim forms.
• Review your billing statement for treatment you received.
• Keep records of your medical visits, treatment and medication.
• Shed papers that you are discarding that show your medical ID number.
• Beware of high pressure and preying on your fears sales.
• Check out insurance companies and agents with the BBB.

Finally, with all the health care changes coming keep in close contact with your insurance agent to get the latest information about your policy.

Have you heard of any health care scams?  Let me know.

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