Health Insurance Providers
It seems the health insurance fraud just keeps coming. Just when you think that you have a great healthcare provider, it can become quite clear that you’ve been scammed. If you cover all your basis, you should have no problem getting missed by these mismarked plans, but those not so savvy are a scammers dream.
Beware of faith based health insurance plans. It sounds terrible, but you can’t have faith in everything, and health insurance is unfortunately something that must be handled with little faith. Although some faith based plans are legit, some are preying on those with good graces. For example, there are plans that will have what seem to some as outrageous rules in order to sign up or keep the plan. For instance, you might be told not to engage in premarital sex to avoid losing insurance or not to drink alcohol. Before you sign up, even if these plans are presented to you in what seems like a reputable place, check to make sure they are a state recognized insurance agency.
Another type of health insurance to add to the masses are often referred to as disease plans. These plans claim to provide care for the diseases that many insurance companies will not cover, such as cancer or other life-threatening diseases. The fees and premiums are often taken in advance just as other scam plans have in place, and then when the patient seeks care, the health care provider is not recognized. Thus, the patient is stuck with all fees and is also out of the premium and monthly fees. Again, read the fine print as it will often outline outrageous guidelines that must be met in order to be kept on the insurance or to be covered.
A good way to be cautious and not fall into one of these traps is to either contact the state to see what plans and companies are recognized. The state will often be able to tell you right away if a certain company is reputable or not and what to beware of. Another way to be certain that your coverage is real is to simply contact your family doctor’s office to see if they have heard of the coverage and if they recognize that type of plan. If they have not heard of it, or do not cover that carrier, it’s easy to walk away.