New York Attorney General Letitia James and DOH Commissioner Dr. McDonald provide tips for residents to avoid health insurance scams during open enrollment period.
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are warning New Yorkers abouts health insurance scams as 2026 open enrollment begins.
Attorney General James says health insurance scams spike during open enrollment periods and will target those who are trying to keep or obtain.
“As health care costs skyrocket and federal support hangs in the balance, access to affordable health insurance is more important than ever,” said Attorney General James. “We cannot allow predatory scammers to swindle New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money. I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and contact my office if they believe they are the target of a scam or fraud. My office will always work to hold bad actors and fraudsters accountable.”
Some tactics that scammers use include:
- Using fear by threatening New Yorkers that their health insurance is at risk of cancellation, or that they have already lost their health coverage unless they provide hundreds of dollars to reinstate or continue benefits.
- Using false offers of generosity to lure New Yorkers into providing personal information. This is typically done through phishing scams offering people gift cards or money to “update” their health accounts so as not to lose coverage.
- Asking for money to enroll people in marketplace or “Obamacare” insurance. The New York agencies that administer Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plan benefits will never use the term “Obamacare” or ask for money from consumers to enroll or re-enroll. They will also not offer New Yorkers rewards to renew their coverage.
“As New Yorkers enroll or renew their health coverage, it is critical they remain vigilant against scams that can put their personal information and access to care at risk,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
Both Attorney General James and Commissioner McDonald say the following tips will help residents avoid common scams:
- No one can ever charge you a fee to renew your health insurance in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan, or a Qualified Health Plan.
- If you enrolled in health insurance through NY State of Health, many people are available to help you renew for free. These include NY State of Health’s certified enrollment assistors (including navigators, agents, and brokers) and Customer Service Center representatives. Find help at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or 1-855-355-5777.
- If you enrolled in Medicaid through either your county’s Medicaid office or through New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA), there are also many people available to help you for free. Contact the office where you enrolled to ask questions and get help with renewing your insurance.
- Government agencies will never threaten you, demand you pay money, or ask for credit information in a text message, e-mail, or phone call.
- Many websites will try to make you think that it is the official New York state health insurance Marketplace. There is only one official NY State of Health website. Submitting your contact information to some websites may lead to calls, texts, or emails from scammers.
- If your health plan includes a monthly premium, you will pay your health plan directly. The NY State of Health website does not ask for your bank account information or require you to make any payments.
