Health Agents Warn Consumers to Be Smart, Cautious to Avoid Scams During Rollout of ACA

Austin, TX - September 10, 2013 (myPressManager.com) --

With major parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) taking effect in the coming months, the Texas Association of Health Underwriters is warning consumers to be wary about releasing personal information in the process of purchasing health coverage to comply with the new law. Attempts to defraud consumers have already been reported as scam artists attempt to exploit confusion about the law and illegally gain access to social security numbers, credit cards, bank accounts and other personal information.  

While the federal government has provided millions of dollars for navigator and other consumer assistance programs to assist with the rollout of the ACA, the lack of screening, training and accountability of those efforts has raised additional concerns about the privacy and security of sensitive information. These concerns prompted 13 state attorneys general, including Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, to request in August that stronger safeguards be considered by the federal government to protect consumers.

Beginning in October, consumers and small employers will have the option to purchase health insurance through Health Insurance Marketplaces, referred to as Exchanges. Many consumers will find themselves facing decisions regarding coverage, co-pays and co-insurance that they have not previously considered. The potential for fraud, combined with concerns about inadequate protections in the government’s outreach efforts, have advocacy and professional groups warning that unfamiliarity with the law and details about insurance coverage could make individuals vulnerable targets for identify theft and other scams. As part of the enrollment in a health plan, consumers will be providing sensitive personal data on applications, putting their information at risk for potential misuse.

Mark Bellman, president of the Texas Association of Health Underwriters, stated, “The rollout of the Affordable Care Act could prove to be a perilous time for consumers who fail to exercise caution and prudence in their attempts to purchase health insurance in the months ahead. If consumers purchasing coverage are not confident in their decisions, the process, or the individuals with whom they are dealing, then it is recommended that they seek the advice of a professional benefit adviser in their area.”

Bellman continued, “If someone purchasing coverage suspects fraud, then it should be reported immediately to law enforcement officials or the Texas attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division.”

Scams involving phone calls and letters fraudulently claiming that all Americans will need a government-issued health card have already been reported. Elderly, low-income and uninsured consumers are primary targets for fraudulent activity. 

“The scams can be phone calls, letters, emails, even someone at your door,” said Bellman. “Scammers are representing themselves as part of the government-required health insurance plan. Because consumers do not understand the law, they are vulnerable to having their financial records and medical information illegally accessed.”  

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, is warning consumers about giving out personal or financial information in response to the Affordable Care Act. According to the FTC, scammers are using the Affordable Care Act as a hook to illegally access consumer information. Scammers will try to gather bank account numbers, credit cards or other personal information. As the FTC warns, scam artists want information to commit identity theft, charge existing credit cards, debit checking accounts, open new credit cards, write fraudulent checks or take out loans.

Bellman added, “Many of the organizations participating in the government’s navigator program are recognized and respected groups that make significant contributions to our society. While their efforts are well-intentioned, we may be placing an unrealistic burden on them given their lack of insight and experience in providing counsel on coverage options and in managing sensitive personal data.”

In their letter, the attorneys general cite the standards of health agents and brokers that include “strict state-level exam-based licensing laws and annual continuing education requirements, as well as significant federal and state privacy, security and market conduct requirements.” The attorneys general reference the Exchanges’ “lack of standardized background checks” for individuals who may have access to sensitive consumer data as an example of the need for stronger consumer protections. The attorneys general point out that health agents are obligated to maintain professional liability insurance and are personally liable if they fail to comply with state and federal laws and requirements.

To identify a local benefit adviser that can assist with questions about the Affordable Care Act, individuals may go to ACA Questions.

Valdez & Sons Memorial Funeral 

Chapels open their doors Monday

A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

The prospect of a brighter economic future in our fair city continues to shine as yet another significant investment by pioneers in the funeral business from our neighboring city of Piedras Negras opened the doors to Valdez & Sons Memorial Funeral Chapels located at 2334 El Indio Highway.

"We thank you lord for this new chapel where our souls will be blessed and taken to heaven.  We ask that you bless this business and their family members and for those of all religions, that they may all have faith in God," said Father Paul of Our Lady of Rufuge Church.

"We'd like to thank the members of the news media for being here today.  We are very satisfied, my wife and I, to be here today at this very special ribbon-cutting.  It is a continuance, another branch of our business, Memorial Funeral Chapels which has had a lot of success thank God.  I'd like to thank the community for allowing us to serve them in their most trying times with dignity.  We have been here for 35 years and have been in this business for sixty and my father is here as living proof of this," said Rito Valdez, Jr., "We noticed a very important growth in the city of Eagle Pass especially in this area near El Indio Highway and we saw the opportunity to acquire this building, we discussed it among my wife, my children and my father, and we decided to undertake this challenge.  We know it will be a difficult task, but with hard work and dedication we will move forward with this project."

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Valdez family for this accomplishment and the service they provide which is a difficult one, but one they undertake with professionalism," said The Honorable Ramsey English-Cantú, Mayor of Eagle Pass, "We are very proud of them and thankful for this professionalism and we wish them the best in this endeavor on the south side of Eagle Pass."

The event was graciously emceed by Humberto "Beto" Garza who welcomed all local dignitaries to the event and first responders who were there as well.

CC Winn Mavericks and Martin Tigers collide Friday

A.D. Ibarra

-Cozel Foster-Veteran's 

 Memorial Stadium

The CC Winn Mavericks ran into a veritable buzzsaw that is the Laredo Martin Tigers who last week won their Week Zero match up vs Roma 34-7.

Featured back Deion Alonso struck paydirt first in this game with a one yard blast into the Tiger endzone after he David Garza and a reverse to Carlos Cerezo helped to drive the ball down into Tiger territory behind field general Juan Elizondo, but the extra point was blocked.

Tiger quarterback Albert Estrada connected twice with receiver Daniel Sanchez twice on significant gains once on a 70 yard fly which was well-covered by Maverick defender Eric Vasquez who didn't realize the ball was coming down just in front of him as Sanchez corralled it in taking it deep into Mav territory.  The Tigers would score on the spikes of Estrada on a QB bootleg with a little over a minute left in the 1st.

Tiger Alexis Navarro bolted into the end zone after a long punt return by Juan Valdivia to put the red an white clad cats ahead 14-6.

The Tigers would strike again on what seemed to be a lapse in coverage as Sanchez ran under another Estrada pass, this time on a post pattern which he caught on the tips of his fingers, nearly dropping the pigskin before taking it into the end zone at the end of the first half to take a 21-6 lead into the locker room.

The never say die Mavericks turned in an impressive 80 yard drive which culminated with a five yard dive into the end zone by Alonso, but it was a little too little a little too late for the Mavs as the Tigers scored twice in the second half and even tried a fake extra point which failed to win 33-13. 

Hector Bermea and Emilio Hinojosa showed signs of brilliance in the passing game as Elizondo connected with them four times in the contest, as both teams ran the ball respectively, but Estrada and Co. racked up over a hundred yards through the air which proved to be the difference in Former Head Coach David Charles' Tigers' opportunities to get in the red zone eating up much needed time of possession.

The Mavericks travel to the Gateway City to take on the Laredo Nixon Mustangs Friday at Shirley Field.