By appealing to consumers' insurance cost concerns, these individuals successfully entice more than 100,000 Americans into purchasing sham health insurance every year.
Consumers should always be on the lookout for common insurance scams. Some warning signs of fraudulent plans include:
* dramatically low premiums;
* guaranteed coverage - regardless of pre-existing conditions;
* lack of the word "insurance" anywhere in the materials;
* plans that ask for premium payments in cash or for an entire year up-front.
It is important to evaluate the agent selling the plan. Agents who claim that they do not need a license to sell insurance or imply that their product is exempt from state regulation should be rejected. Consumers should be wary of any agent claiming to represent a medical provider who solicits customers door-to-door or patrols neighborhoods encouraging residents to visit a mobile clinic for routine checkups or tests.
Many organizations, including the National Association of Health Underwriters, are educating their members and consumers about how to recognize insurance scams and protect against them.
To keep from being victimized, consumers need to do their research and use a reputable insurance agent or broker who is knowledgeable about scam insurance. Consumers can locate a local NAHU member to help them find the right health insurance plan by going to www.nahu.org and using the "Find an Agent" feature.
Suspected insurance scams should be reported as soon as possible. Most states sponsor fraud bureaus that investigate insurance scams, and some even reward whistleblowers if there is a conviction.
The financial effects of these schemes are felt throughout the entire health care industry. Victims of insurance fraud will have to repay uncovered medical bills and depending on how long they go without legitimate insurance coverage, may also lose health care insurance access permanently. Health care facilities and medical professionals, meanwhile, may never be paid for the treatments they administer.
The only way to stop the spread of insurance scams is to learn how to detect fraud and work to prevent such criminals from succeeding.
About the Author:
For More Health Article Visit :: http://www.webhealthclinic.com/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Buyer Beware: Identifying Health Insurance Fraud
Filed under Health Insurance by on Dec 27th, 2009. Comment. 
Looking to lower your house insurance rate? Here are the six best ways to do it.
1. Compare Rates. Because insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars from company to company, the most cost effective way to lower you house insurance is to compare rates. You can do this by calling local insurance companies on the phone, but it's far easier and much quicker to go to an insurance comparison website.
At these sites you fill out a simple form with information about the type of home you own and the amount of insurance you want. Then all you do is wait for your quotes and choose the best one.
Some comparison sites offer an online chat feature that allows you to talk with insurance experts on line so you can get answers to your insurance questions. (See link below.)
2. Increase Your Deductible. By increasing your deductible (the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurance kicks in), you can save 10% to 50% on your yearly premium. Just make sure you can afford the higher deductible should you need to file a claim.
3. Consolidate Your Policies. Purchasing both your homeowners insurance and your auto insurance from the same company can save you 10% to 30% on your yearly premium. You'll also only have to deal with one company.
4. Add Safety Systems. Insurance companies will give you a discount on your insurance if you add safety systems such as smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. This will also make your home a safer place to live.
5. Install Security Devices. You can get discounts on your insurance if you install security devices like dead-bolt locks, window locks, security lights, and burglar alarms.
6. Request Discounts. Insurance companies offer numerous discounts you may not be aware of such as senior discounts, non-smokers discounts, law officer discounts, military discounts, and others. Before you purchase your homeowners policy, ask your agent about all the discounts his company offers and take advantage of the ones you're eligible for.
Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/homeowners-insurance.html or click on the following link to get house insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section.
About the Author:
The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written a number of articles on getting cheap house insurance rates.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Six Best Ways to Lower your House Insurance Rate
Filed under Home Insurance by on Dec 10th, 2009. Comment.