When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information it’s called phishing. Don’t reply to email, text, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.

FRAUD AND THE HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE

In general, the healthcare industry has been a target for fraud and phishing scams. There are 1.5 million cases of medical identity theft a year. More than 1,000 cases of health reform wire fraud have been reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Whether you obtain coverage through the marketplaces or already have coverage, it’s always important to stay vigilant in protecting your personal and health information.  Use a trusted site, like your insurance company’s website, to find a verified doctor and confirm Board Certifications through your insurance company’s provider directory. You might also want to keep a close eye on your health records, just like you monitor your credit records.

TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PHISHING SCAMS

• Beware of imitation sites that ask for confidential information like your social security number, credit card number, email address, or money.
• If you’re on YourHealthIdaho.org to compare plans and shop for rates, you only need to enter: your household size, income, ZIP code, and county of residence. Only when you are completing the enrollment application do you need to provide confidential information (such as Social Security Number).
• You will ONLY pay the insurance company from which you obtain coverage.
• You should not provide payment information to anyone but your YHI Certified Agent or Broker, who are licensed by the Idaho Department of Insurance.
• Beware of scammers asking you to update your plan. Medicare recipients and many individuals who have insurance through their employer do not need to do anything under the Affordable Care Act.
• If you receive the Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), Your Health Idaho will complete an annual redetermination of your tax credit. At that time, Your Health Idaho may request verification of information from you. You can update your information securely through your YourHealthIdaho.org account.

You can visit the Your Health Idaho Privacy Policy to see what measures have been taken to protect your identity. Visit the Your Health Idaho Privacy Policy here: https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/privacy-policy/