Seniors, disabled should be cautious about health insurance

But caution is especially important for seniors or people with disabilities who are enrolled in both programs, according to a warning issued in November by the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration.

The department notes that individuals with dual eligibility who obtain additional health coverage could incur co-pays that Medicare and Medicaid will not cover.

“All citizens of this state have the right to be served fairly and honestly by competent insurance professionals,” said Dale Finke, director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration, in a news release. “DIFP does and will investigate any situation that involves the work of an incompetent agent, the sale of unsuitable or misrepresented products, and the use of deceptive sales tactics.”

DIFP provides these tips for seniors and persons with disabilities:

• Do not purchase any insurance product until you thoroughly review and understand it.

• Find trusted family members or friends who can help you if you don’t understand a proposed insurance plan.

• To speak with unbiased insurance professionals, call the Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri (CLAIM) hotline at (800) 390-3330 or visit its Web site at www.primaris.org, if you have questions about any Medicare product.

• Call the Division of Medical Services toll-free hotline at (800) 392-2161, if you have questions regarding Medicaid benefits.

• Call the Missouri Consumer Insurance Hotline at (800) 726-7390 to file a complaint against an agent.[[In-content Ad]]