Beware of Scammers Trying to Sell Marketplace Plans to People with Medicare
The Health Insurance Marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), opened for business on October 1, 2013. Uninsured people can shop for and purchase health insurance on the Marketplace. They can also apply for public programs on the Marketplace like Medicaid and tax credits to help pay for the costs of private insurance.
People with Medicare DO NOT need to visit the new Health Insurance Marketplace. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, it is illegal for a broker, agent or health insurance company to sell someone with Medicare an ACA marketplace plan.
Remember, the Marketplace does not offer Part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans or Medigap plans. If a Medicare beneficiary has questions about Medicare or would like to change their Part D or Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Election Period (Oct 15 through Dec 7), they should visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Scam Alert: The Federal Trade Commission has reported several recent scams targeted at older people. Scammers are calling and emailing people with Medicare and telling them Obamacare requires them to change their insurance and buy a marketplace plan. Oftentimes, these scammers will ask for personal information like Social Security numbers or bank accounts. Do not give them this information!
We encourage beneficiaries and their advocates to report all attempts at scams like this to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/