As the state’s health insurance enrollment process begins, officials are warning New Yorkers to be wary of scams asking for money or personal information and encouraging them to contact state officials with any questions.
Long Island nonprofits that help people enroll in Medicaid and state health insurance marketplaces also said they stand ready to help residents enroll and ask questions without charging fees.
New Yorkers will need to re-enroll in their health insurance plans to ensure continued coverage as pandemic-era continued coverage provisions expire, state Attorney General Letitia James and state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said this week. said in a statement. As a result, New York State has resumed reviewing and renewing the eligibility of people enrolled in public health programs.
The registration process begins Thursday and must be completed by December 15th.
“The New York State Health Insurance Marketplace, the New York State Department of Health, provides one-stop health insurance shopping for both public health programs (Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plans) and commercial health plans (Qualified Health Plans). ” they said. , adding, “Health insurance fraud related to these renewals is on the rise.”
A spokesperson for the state attorney general’s office confirmed the complaints had been received, but declined to say how many.
Mr. James and Mr. MacDonald warned New Yorkers about scammers who send calls, texts, and emails pretending to be from the New York State Department of Health and other state agencies.
Some scams threaten people with the risk of having their Medicaid or other health insurance coverage canceled or have already lost their coverage unless they pay hundreds of dollars to get it reinstated, he said.
Other techniques include phishing scams that prey on personal information by offering gift cards or money to “update” a health account.
James and McDonald said the New York agency that administers Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plan benefits “may not charge or solicit money from consumers to enroll or reenroll. “Never. And we will not offer incentives to New Yorkers to renew their insurance.”
“There are many people who will help you update for free,” they say.
Please see the New York State Department of Health for information on how to renew. web pageor New York State Medicaid Website.
For more information on enrolling or renewing a commercially qualified health plan in 2024, visit New York State Health. Website.
for many For information and guidance, please visit the New York State Health website or call 855-355-5777.
James and McDonald said people enrolled in Medicaid through their county’s Medicaid office or the New York City Department of Human Resources will also receive free assistance. “To ask questions or receive assistance with renewing your insurance, please contact your registered office,” they said.
The Long Island Health and Welfare Council and the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council are among the nonprofit organizations helping Long Islanders enroll in Medicaid and the state’s health insurance market, officials said.
“At this time, we have not heard of any significant increase in fraud here on Long Island,” said Rebecca Sanin, president and chief executive of the Health and Human Services Council. “But we know there are scams going on all the time that exploit our most vulnerable residents,” she said, most of whom she said are seniors.
“When enrolling in Medicaid and the Marketplace, it is important for people to know that assistance is available from the Health and Human Services Council and other local nonprofit organizations to help them navigate the process.”
Anyone interested should contact the city council’s medical assistance line at 516-505-4426, Sanin said.
Janine Logan, a spokeswoman for the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Board, said the nonprofit has an enrollment assistance program that includes: Websiteor call us at 631-435-3000.
“We’ve done a lot of community outreach to make sure individuals don’t lose coverage. We’re here to help,” Logan said.
