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NOVEMBER 21, 2018 - Consumer Alert: Division Warns Consumers of Telemarketers Deceiving Discount Plans as Comprehensive Health Insurance

Contact: Yeraldin Deavila, Public Information Officer
Phone: (775) 687-0772
E-mail: ydeavila@doi.nv.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– November 21, 2018 

CONSUMER ALERT:

Division of Insurance warns consumers of telemarketers deceiving discount plans as comprehensive health insurance

CARSON CITY, NV – Open Enrollment is now underway, and consumers need to be wary. Consumers shopping for qualified health plans should beware of telemarketers and websites advertising discount medical plans and short-term plans while falsely claiming they are compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

These entities are reaching out to consumers via robo calls and luring them through websites with misleading website names that appear similar to legitimate websites.  This can be confusing for anyone not familiar with the legitimate webpages.

“Consumers should only take these calls as reminders to shop for health insurance, but should never provide any information over the phone. There have been consumers who have fallen for this scam and have been left with thousands of dollars in unpaid medical bills because of gaps in coverage,” said Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson. “Consumers who are purchasing health insurance should visit Nevada Health Link’s website at https://www.nevadahealthlink.com, or go directly to healthcare.gov.”

While regulatory agencies have already started taking actions against these bait-and-switch schemes, Nevadans should protect themselves by learning how to identify limited benefit plans. The Division has posted information on the difference between ACA compliant plans, and other plans such as short-term plans and Health Sharing Ministries on their health insurance website at http://insurance101.nv.gov. Consumers are encouraged to visit the website, which also lists all the companies in Nevada licensed to sell short-term plans and tips on how to shop for health insurance.

Consumers should also make sure that the individual, agency or company they are talking to is licensed with the Division. To verify a license, consumers can visit the Division’s website at http://di.nv.gov/ins/f?p=licensing:search.

About the Nevada Division of Insurance

The State of Nevada Division of Insurance, a Division of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, protects the rights of Nevada consumers and regulates Nevada’s $14 billion insurance industry. The Division of Insurance has offices in Carson City and Las Vegas. In 2017, the Division investigated more than 3,200 consumer complaints and recovered over $5 million on behalf of consumers. For more information about the Division of Insurance, visit DOI.NV.GOV.

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