Letitia James Warns of Health Insurance Scams

New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert regarding an increase in health insurance scams coinciding with the open enrollment period for Affordable Care Act plans, which runs until December 15, 2024. Scammers often employ fear tactics, falsely claiming that individuals' Medicaid or health coverage is at risk of cancellation unless they pay a fee or provide personal information. They may also use enticing offers, such as gift cards, to trick people into sharing sensitive data. James emphasized that legitimate New York agencies do not refer to their programs as 'Obamacare' and will never request payments for enrollment or renewal. New Yorkers are urged to be vigilant, report suspected scams, and only use official channels for health coverage inquiries. The enrollment for new coverage begins on January 1, 2025, reinforcing the need for caution during this vulnerable period.