As of October 1 until March 31, 2014, uninsured residents will be able to go to a federal website to shop for insurance plans and coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to federal reports, there are approximately 40 million Americans without insurance, and although it has been met with much criticism, the goal of the ACA (also referred to as “Obamacare”) is to fill this need. Now whether you’re a supporter or not, at Central Florida Health News, it’s our job to deliver relevant and timely information on healthcare that will affect both patients and providers.
In order to prepare for the inevitable confusion during the enrollment period, the federal government is launching a multi-million dollar campaign, which will target libraries, gyms, and concerts. What does this mean for Florida residents? It means that we’re about to get hit with a ton of information about the ACA, but that will not come without its complications.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, scam artists are trying to take advantage of confusion about the ACA. There is a telemarketing scheme in which the fraudulent callers tell the person on the other end of the phone that they must purchase health insurance or they will go to jail. Anyone who feels that a scam has been attempted on him or herself should contact the Federal Trade Commission or the office of the Florida Attorney General and report it.
If you’d like more information about insurance under the Affordable Care Act from a reliable resource, then visit www.getcoveredamerica.org.