Beware of Obamacare Scams!
There's a huge amount of confusion about the new healthcare reform marketplaces and the start of Obamacare. That creates all sorts of new opportunities for scams. TSCL has learned that some seniors were told they would lose their Medicare coverage if they did not divulge their Social Security number and other personal information needed for their new "national health insurance card" under the Affordable Care Act. THIS IS A SCAM. Be alert and don't give out your Social Security number or any confidential information! Here are important clues to help you figure out if it might be a scam.
- If you are told you need a new Medicare card: Seniors who are already enrolled in Medicare already have insurance and Obamacare does not apply to you. You DO NOT NEED a new Medicare card. This is a scam.
- If you are told you must buy more supplemental insurance: Seniors already enrolled in Medicare do not have any "mandate" or requirement to buy more supplemental insurance. Most seniors already have supplemental coverage, Medicare Advantage, or Medicaid. This is a scam.
- If you are told you will be fined if you don't buy coverage in the health marketplace: As long as you have Medicare Part A hospital insurance, you are already covered under Medicare and not subject to the penalty. This is a scam.
- If you are told you will need to re-enroll in your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan: If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or a Medigap plan you DO NOT have to re-enroll through the marketplace. This is a scam. If you need or want to compare Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans, do so at www.Medicare.gov to learn if you have better coverage options.
Source: "Medicare Is Not Part Of New Insurance Marketplaces," Susan Jaffe, WebMD News from Kaiser Health News, August 29, 2013.
