The websites, created by interest groups, private insurance companies and, on occasion, fraudsters, have similar web addresses and look like the official state exchange websites, according to a
report by
Kaiser Health News.
For example, in California, Coveredcalifornia.com takes you to an informational website with a fine print disclaimer saying it is not the state-run site, Coveredca.com. The site is actually run by the Health Exchange Consulting group as a source of information on the state exchange, and state officials are monitoring the site to make sure it is not being used for commercial purposes, the report says.
In July, insurance officials in Pennsylvania responded to a private insurance company’s website that welcomed viewers to the “Pennsylvania Health Exchange,” and included a state seal, the report says. The company took down the site and apologized.
Mandated by the ACA, the exchanges will open in every state Oct. 1, and will permit consumers to compare and purchase insurance options online, the report notes. The application process asks for important personal information like social security numbers, employment information and tax records.
Experts say consumers should first check out Healthcare.gov, the federal government’s main information hub on the exchanges, where they can either find out if they’ll be using the federal exchange or get a link to their individual state’s exchange, the report says.
In general, people should watch out for sites with little information or graphics or that seem to be only interested in signing people up or request information the doesn’t seem related to signing up for an insurance plan, the report warns.
According to Bill Barr, development coordinator for the Medical Identity Fraud Alliance, about 8% of medical identity theft happens because consumers give their personal health information like blood type or medical history to fake websites, the report says.