Open enrollment season is well underway, and Connecticut’s insurance commissioner is warning consumers against junk health plans - after herself being targeted for a scam. Commissioner Katharine Wade told Connecticut Public Radio she had three calls recently on her personal cell phone from scammers trying to sell her health insurance. She said one was obvious from the start.
“They were offering a three-year deal, and I said - 'How exactly could you do that?'" laughs Wade. "And when I asked that question, they hung up on me. So I have given the information to our market conduct area, and they’re looking into it.”
Those calls prompted Wade to raise the alarm about fraudulent insurance, or what may be junk plans from companies not licensed in the state of Connecticut. The state has strict rules about what items a plan must cover, and what kinds of recourse consumers have if they're not satisfied with their coverage.
“They could be insurance that’s not meeting the requirements of state law, so the plans do not have all the protections that we have under Connecticut law,” said Wade.
This type of activity isn’t uncommon during open enrollment. Wade advises state residents if you ever get a call offering you insurance, there’s a very simple question to ask.
“You should ask if they’re licensed to sell in the state of Connecticut. You can go to the Connecticut Insurance Department website and see the companies that are licensed.”
Wade recommends going the Access Health Connecticut website to research plans, or to a reputable broker.
