Washington Healthplanfinder opens Special Enrollment for those misled by Benefytt Technologies
FTC action against Benefytt results in refunds for consumers who bought insufficient plans Olympia, WA
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is opening a special enrollment period until Nov. 10, 2022, for 232 Washingtonians who were sold an insufficient healthcare plan from Benefytt Technologies.
Benefytt must contact customers who are currently paying for Benefytt’s plans, inform them of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) complaint against the company, and allow them to cancel their enrollment. Benefytt also must provide refunds for payments made after the order is entered directly to customers who cancel right away.
The FTC’s complaint alleges that the defendants and their third-party partners operated a series of deceptive websites, like “Obamacareplans.com,” that targeted consumers who were searching for comprehensive health insurance plans qualified under the Affordable Care Act. Qualified plans must provide certain benefits like preventive care, cover people with pre-existing conditions without charging more for the plan, and cap consumers’ out-of-pocket medical costs. When consumers navigated the websites, they were often led to a sales agent who would pitch them Benefytt’s unqualified plans. Even though they were led to believe they were buying comprehensive health insurance, people often were charged hundreds of dollars per month for Benefytt products and services that left them unprotected in a medical catastrophe.
Any customer who purchased an insufficient healthcare plan from companies like Benefytt, Aliera, SimpleHealth, or Alliance for Shared Health, may be eligible for a special enrollment period and can contact the Customer Support Center, from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1-855-923-4633 (TTY: 1-855-627-9604). Additionally, Enrollment Centers, certified Brokers, and Navigators are standing by ready to assist.
People in Washington state who have trouble with their health insurance can file a complaint with Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Reminders: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice of 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.
About Washington Healthplanfinder
Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals and families in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder will begin Nov. 1, 2022. Enrollment reports and data are available from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.
About Washington Apple Health
In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplanfinder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority: www.hca.wa.gov