Fake Health Insurance Scams

CNN is reporting that there has been a rise in fake health insurance scams. According to the story, "The Federal Trade Commission and at least eight states have taken action against more than two dozen health cards for offering discounts services that don't exist." Who's most vulnerable to these types of scams? The answer is that anyone can be a victim to this type of fraud. The young adult population is the largest group without insurance. The elderly population is a group that consumes a large percentage of healthcare resources because of chronic diseases and co-morbidities.

As our country faces major healthcare reform, we need to also bolster our efforts to protect citizens (and non-citizens) from these types of dangerous scams. If you see a health offer that sounds too good to be true, then perhaps it's a scam. Be especially careful of medical discount cards and check the Consumer Health Alliance website.

Here are a few tips from the article. Suspect a scam if:

1. You learn of the discount card from a blast fax or Internet popup ad.
   
2. They promise a certain percentage savings.
3. They use the term "guaranteed coverage."
4. They won't give you a list of providers until you sign up.
5. It sounds too good to be true.