WA Warns Of Scam Health Insurance Marketplace Websites

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is warning consumers to keep a critical eye out for a new series of scam health insurance websites.

As Ferguson's office explains, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange has recently received several complaints from Washingtonians about ads and website that are posing as the state's official health insurance marketplace.

Some of the sites offer real services, but charge for programs that should be free. Others just try to scam users into giving up personal info, then turn around and sell it to the highest bidder.

“My office works to protect all Washingtonians’ health care rights,” Ferguson said. “That includes warning individuals about fake health care websites before someone gets scammed. We’ve included some simple tips to spot ads or websites posing as the office health insurance marketplace or claiming to grant special access to the marketplace. If you come across one of them, please contact my office.”

If you're concerned you might be looking at a scam site when trying to choose your own health insurance, the AG's office is offering a few easy tips to make sure you're safe:

• First, double-check the website's address. The only official web address for the state's health insurance online marketplace is www.wahealthplanfinder.org. Some of the scam sites have similar addresses, but end it ".not" or ".com". If you're still unsure if the website is legitimate, you can always call at 1-855-WAFINDER.
• Don't pay for free programs. You should not have to pay to sign up for free or low-cost health coverage. Only by visiting the real website can you receive tax credits and subsidies, or get free coverage like Medicaid and Washington Apple Health.
• Reach out for help. Washington Healthplanfinder has a free customer support center which can be reached at 1-800-562-3022, or by emailing AskMedicaid@hca.wa.gov.

“Customers who need health coverage should be able to easily and safely obtain it, without being taken advantage of” said Pam MacEwan, Chief Executive Officer of the Exchange.

If you see an ad for one of the phony sites or find yourself on one of them by accident, you can also file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office.