The U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov seen on a computer screen in August. (Patrick Sison/AP Photograph)
The Maine Bureau of Insurance is warning state residents about unlicensed health insurance marketers soliciting private information.
Mainers searching for health insurance online are being contacted by salespeople promoting coverage through LifeX Research Corporation, the bureau said in a press release Tuesday.
LifeX is not a major medical insurance plan regulated by the bureau, it said.
“Some Maine consumers have been told the LifeX health plan will be issued by a well-known health insurer. This is not true,” the agency said. “None of the licensed health insurers offering major medical coverage in the state of Maine provide coverage to Maine consumers through LifeX.”
Consumers have also received information on other plans, including Benefit Health Plan, Inc. and Benefit Logistics Captive Insurance Company, the bureau said, which are also unlicensed.
“Unfortunately, during open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage, there is often an increase in unlicensed entities attempting to sell unapproved products to consumers,” the bureau stated.
Scams are on the rise in Maine, and business and government impostors are the most-reported ones in the state.
The bureau urges consumers not to provide personal or financial information over the phone until they confirm that those selling the health plan product are licensed to do so.
Red flags the bureau highlighted include the caller not identifying the name of the insurance company that is supposedly issuing the plan; the caller not providing an opportunity to review the plan before purchasing; the caller expressing urgency to sign on immediately; and the caller requiring an application fee.
Those wary of an insurance plan’s legitimacy are encouraged to contact the bureau at 207-624-8475 or by email at [email protected]. A complete list of insurers regulated by the bureau can also be found on the Bureau’s webpage.