Pa. Insurance Department warns against robocalls claiming to sell health insurance during Affordable Care Act open enrollment

The department says some companies may be selling short-term, limited duration plans, while other callers are falsely claiming to be from the state.

• Brett Sholtis/Transforming Health
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Brett Sholtis is WITF’s Transforming Health reporter, covering health policy and community health issues that affect Pennsylvanians. Brett strives to share personal stories that have a tie to broad issues and emerging trends. He seeks to give voice to diverse viewpoints, including those of people living with mental illness, disability and those living in poverty. He plays a key role in WITF’s mental health series, Through the Cracks, which reports on problem areas in mental health services and efforts to reduce stigma around those living with behavioral disorders. Previously, Brett was a business reporter at the York Daily Record, where his work included award-winning examinations of the nuclear power industry and food safety. He is a University of Pittsburgh graduate and a Pennsylvania Army National Guard veteran.

(Harrisburg) — It’s open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance — and for companies that may be trying to take advantage of consumers.

The state Insurance Department says it’s getting reports that robo-callers are claiming to sell insurance that is cheaper than what’s provided on the ACA marketplace.

Some callers are falsely claiming to be from the insurance department, said David Buono, consumer liaison for the department.

“If somebody is saying they’re from the PA insurance department, and they say they’re selling health insurance — it’s not us. We don’t sell health insurance. We’re the regulators of insurance companies.”

Other callers may be selling insurance that doesn’t cover basic services. After the Trump administration loosened regulations on short term, limited duration insurance, companies have popped up trying to sell those products.

Buono noted, open enrollment ends December 15, and people can sign up at healthcare.gov.