The Coronavirus pandemic has not only had a dramatic health impact, but also an economic blow as many Americans are now unemployed — and uninsured. 

As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has re-opened HealthCare.gov for a “Special Enrollment Period,” from February 15, 2021 – May 15, 2021. This Special Enrollment Period will give people who need health care coverage the chance to sign up. But it also gives scammers a new chance to call, email, send letters and texts, trying to get your money — and your personal and financial information.

Here are some things to know to help keep your money and personal information safe, while getting the insurance coverage you need:

• No one from the government will call you about health insurance, or ask you to verify your Social Security number or financial information. People who do are scammers.
• People who offer legitimate help with the Health Insurance Marketplace — sometimes called Navigators or Assisters — are not allowed to charge you for their help. If someone asks you for payment, it’s a scam.
• People representing Affordable Care Act plans won’t contact you by phone, email, or in person unless you are already enrolled.
• If you’re planning to sign up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, do it at HealthCare.gov. People who try to sign you up elsewhere just might be scamming you.

Suspect a scam? Let the FTC know at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your reports give us the information we need to launch investigations, and put scammers out of business.

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https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/02/scammers-are-scheming-healthcaregov-reopens