| How to Spot Health Insurance Fraud | | | | using cash and/or requires you to pay the total |
| It's unfortunate fact: health insurance fraud is | | | | amount of your premium in advance. |
| common in our society and it's not always | | | | If you find that you are a victim of health |
| possible to protect yourself from becoming a | | | | insurance fraud, follow these guidelines |
| victim. In fact, most people won't even know | | | | immediately: |
| they've fallen prey to health insurance fraud until | | | | 1. Contact your State Insurance Commissioner. |
| they submit a claim for a medical service that | | | | Find out if they have any other complaints about |
| they think is covered under their policy. It's often | | | | the company from which you purchased your |
| not until after a claim is denied that most people | | | | coverage. Also file a health insurance fraud |
| realize they've been a victim of health insurance | | | | complaint. |
| fraud. | | | | 2. Contact your bank or credit card company to |
| Is it possible to keep yourself from becoming a | | | | stop any future automatic payments that may be |
| victim of health insurance fraud? Would you even | | | | scheduled. |
| know what to look for? While there probably are | | | | 3. Contact your local law enforcement agency. |
| as many different fraud scenarios as there are | | | | Be sure to have all of your cancelled checks or |
| victims, there is one thing that should always | | | | credit card statements and a copy of the health |
| throw up a glaring red flag: health insurance | | | | insurance contract that you signed. Also get a |
| coverage that seems too good for a price that | | | | copy of your personal credit report from all three |
| seems incredibly low. | | | | major credit reporting agencies as soon as |
| Be wary of unsolicited mail that advertises | | | | possible. Many times people who perpetrate health |
| discounted health insurance, especially if you're not | | | | insurance fraud also use your personal information |
| familiar with the name of the company making | | | | to steal your identity and to commit other |
| the offer. Before you take any further action, | | | | fraudulent acts. |
| you should do what you can to research the | | | | Be smart and check out the health insurance |
| credibility of the company. Health insurance | | | | company before you sign on the dotted line. As a |
| companies are rated at this web site You should | | | | final precaution, call your local hospital or personal |
| also check with your State Insurance Commission | | | | physician and ask if they accept the insurance. If |
| to see if the company is licensed to do business in | | | | not, at least find out if they have ever heard of |
| your state. | | | | the insurance. When it comes to protecting |
| Most importantly, you also need to read the offer | | | | yourself from health insurance fraud, an ounce of |
| in its entirety, especially the fine print. Be very | | | | prevention really is worth a pound of cure. |
| careful of any salesperson that asks you to pay | | | | |