Presbyterian Senior Care (HMO) and Presbyterian MediCare PPO | Fall 2020 | Your Story

8 The Affordable Care Act requires every American to have health insurance. Because of this, many fake insurance companies have popped up and started offering health insurance. How to spot a fake One way to spot fake insurance companies is by their price. Many times they offer services at prices that are much lower than some of the real insurance companies. They may even offer to cover your entire family and add vision and dental coverage for little extra cost. Dishonest insurance companies are trying to get you to buy their product by putting up flyers on bulletin boards in cafeterias or lunchrooms, calling and asking a bunch of questions, leaving a flyer on your car, using online pop-ups, and many other ways. How to know if it’s real You will get information from a real insurance company through your work, a television commercial, or an ad in a reputable magazine. Real insurance companies have a license to sell insurance from the Department of Insurance for each state that they want to sell in. The best thing you can do before you buy anything is to contact the Department of Insurance in the state you live in to make sure that the insurance company is licensed. Beware of fake insurance companies Some ways to protect yourself ● Do not let anyone pressure you into buying insurance. A real company will be there to help you. They will allow you time to think about it and do the research you need. ● Never give out your Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number, or any other personal information until you have made sure that you are dealing with a real insurance company. Then only give them this information in their office, not over the phone or computer. ● Do not sign any blank forms; you never know what they will put above your signature. ● Talk to other insurance companies; compare the forms at both companies and what they say they are offering you. ● Ask all of the companies you talk to as many questions as you can. Here are a couple just to give you an idea: { Who are the doctors I can see if I buy your insurance? { What is covered if I go out of state? { What is covered if I go out of the country? { How much is my copay for an urgent care visit? If you suspect medical fraud, or need to report any fake insurance company, contact Presbyterian’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU). You can contact the SIU 24 hours a day at (505) 923-5959 or 1-800- 239-3147 by leaving a telephone message on the confidential fraud hotline. Any information that you provide will be strictly confidential. When reporting suspected health insurance fraud, you may remain anonymous. You may also email the SIU at PHPFrau@phs.org .