SCAM: Be safe, use a local agent

In response to “Obamacare Scams Coming” article on Sept. 5, I felt the need to offer some advice on the possibility of a scam situation. I am an Idaho licensed insurance broker here in Coeur d’Alene, and am right in the middle of all this massive confusion the feds have unleashed on us all. I’m just finishing up my certification for the Idaho Insurance Exchange which is scheduled to open on Oct. 1. There will be great confusion and the possibility of a person panicking and being scammed is quite real.

The answer on how to avoid a scam is simple — just use a LOCAL and REPUTABLE licensed insurance agent. If you’re not familiar with an agent, ask a few simple questions. How long in business, ask for references, do you have any professional designations such as RHU (Registered Health Underwriter), are you a member of NAHU (National Association of Health Underwriters)?

Agents who have been in the business like myself for more than 20 years, SHOULD BE educated on health-care reform. Reputation, education, stability — look for these qualities in an agent and this should help you avoid a scam.

Just another word of advice: When the exchange does open online, there are going to be many choices you will need to make when choosing a plan. There will be four insurance companies offering many different options to pick from here in North Idaho. These plans are going to have a number of different provider networks to sort through which can be very confusing and costly if you go outside of the network. The ins and outs of the federal subsidy is a whole other chapter to deal with. Changes in benefits are huge. Many things to consider.

Contact a local insurance professional — be safe!

DANA DRAKE, RHU

Coeur d’Alene