Watch out for insurance scams when open enrollment begins

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – It’s almost time for health insurance open enrollment. Along with it, an increased risk for scams.

Agents with Avera Health Plans are getting ready for the 2024 open enrollment period for health insurance plans.

“We have several trusted agents that consumers can go to to get help with the process,” Kate Serenbetz, Product Manager with Avera Health Plans, said. “They can go, certainly, to AveraHealthPlans.com and look at our plans beginning sometime in mid-October. We’ll have all of our plan details out there.”

Serenbetz says insurance plans can be confusing, so it’s an easy avenue for scammers.

“It is ripe for people to take advantage of that and say, ‘You know what, I’ll take care of this for you,'” Serenbetz said. “But that’s why I say, make sure you find a trusted agent who knows the rules and the regulations on working with Marketplace plans, those federal government plans.”

Jessie Schmidt with the Better Business Bureau says there are a variety of insurance scams going around but they all typically have the same goal.

“And really, what they’re hoping to get from you is your most important confidential information so they can either get into your devices or use your personal information to steal your identity,” Schmidt said.

It’s important to always be cautious of promises that seem too good to be true.

“If somebody is going to tell you that they’re going to get you a great rate on your insurance — insurance is expensive,” Schmidt said. “The best deals that you’re going to get are probably going to be through your place of employment or if you are under-employed or unemployed, out on the Marketplace. But go search that independently. Please don’t click on any ads on social media.”

Open Enrollment begins on November 1st and ends on January 15th.

For more scam resources you can visit the Better Business Bureau’s website by clicking here.

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