(WNY News Now) – New Yorkers are urged to be vigilant as scams targeting health insurance applicants rise during the open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act plans, warns Attorney General Letitia James.
NEW YORK — With open enrollment for New York’s Affordable Care Act marketplace now underway, Attorney General Letitia James is cautioning residents about an increase in health insurance scams. As consumers seek coverage for 2025, scammers are exploiting the confusion of open enrollment to steal personal information and money.
The open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, with the deadline for coverage beginning January 1, 2025, set for December 15, 2024. New Yorkers are urged to be cautious when navigating the process.
“New Yorkers must be able to secure health insurance free from predatory scammers trying to take advantage of them,” said Attorney General James. “As New Yorkers take advantage of this year’s open enrollment period, I urge everyone to be cautious and contact my office if they think they are the target of a scam or fraud. Affordable and accessible health care is a fundamental right, and my office will do everything in its power to protect New Yorkers seeking to secure insurance for themselves and their families.”
While open enrollment for commercial health insurance is only available during this period, other health programs like Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and the Essential Plan offer year-round enrollment, though eligibility must be renewed annually. Renewal notices with clear instructions are sent out well in advance of coverage expiration.
Scammers use several deceptive tactics to target vulnerable New Yorkers, including fear-based threats. They may falsely claim that Medicaid or other health coverage will be canceled unless a payment is made, or offer fake incentives like gift cards to encourage individuals to “update” their health accounts.
It’s crucial to remember that no legitimate government agency will ask for money to enroll or renew coverage, nor will they make demands via email, text, or phone call. Furthermore, terms like “Obamacare” are never used in official communications.
Attorney General James offers these essential tips to protect against scams:
- No fees for Medicaid renewal: There are no charges to renew Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan.
- Free enrollment assistance: Certified enrollment assistors and customer service representatives are available to help for free.
- Verify official websites: Ensure you’re on the official NY State of Health website to avoid fraudulent sites.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755.
For assistance, New Yorkers can visit the NY State of Health website or call 1-855-355-5777 for free help with enrolling or renewing coverage.
