Cash money draws them like flies and there are several scams going around related to COVID-19 treatment and seeking to get your stimulus check money.
Many Mississippians have already received a second round of stimulus checks and the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) is warning against COVID-19 vaccine fraud.
The addition of stimulus checks has prompted some healthcare providers to seek cash first. While this is not illegal, it can prompt out of pocket expense that could be covered by insurance.
The following are signs of potential scams, according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud:
• You are asked to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.
• You are asked to pay to put your name on a list to receive the vaccine or asked to pay to get early access to the vaccine.
• You receive unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages. Scammers may pretend to be vaccine centers or insurance companies to steal your information.
• You are asked to visit a fake vaccine website. Scammers uses phony sites to steal your information and money.
• When in doubt about anything vaccine-related, call your state or local health department.
The Mississippi Insurance Department is also asking those who have family or parents in a long-term care facility to know the details of stimulus check funds that go to the elderly.
Those in long-term care facilities should know that this money does not go to the facility and does not affect your Medicaid benefits. It is also not presumed to be given to the family.
“Stimulus money belongs to the recipient and should not go to the nursing home or other facility where they are staying,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “Mississippians should know stimulus checks do not count as income and should not be given to facilities to pay for services.”
Long-term care residents should decide for themselves, or with a trusted family member, how to spend their stimulus money. The money also does not change what Medical Assistance a person may receive based on income.
Questions or complaints can be made by calling MID Consumer Services division at 601-359-2453 or email consumer@mid.ms.gov
The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) also issued a legal bulletin last week providing guidance to insurance companies regarding the appropriate coverage for vaccines for COVID-19.
“I’d like to remind all insurance companies that they are expected to ensure that members have health insurance coverage for vaccines,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “The cost of obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine will not be a barrier for Mississippians.”
Specifically, the MID expects insurance companies to do the following:
1. Forego any cost-sharing (copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance) for vaccinations at providers’ offices, urgent care centers, hospitals, pharmacies, or other locations allowed by the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements, including from out-of-network providers.
2. Reimburse providers, whether in-network or out-of-network, for the cost of administering COVID-19 vaccines.
3. In the event that COVID-19 vaccine is administered in conjunction with a full office visit, emergency department visit, or other encounter not associated with COVID-19 testing, assessment or treatment, insurance companies are expected to reimburse providers for the vaccine separately if billed in that manner, even though the vaccine administration may ordinarily be bundled within reimbursement for the full office visit.
Further questions about this bulletin should be directed to the MID Consumer Services Division. Call 1-800-562-2957 and ask for Andy Case or Ryan Blakeney.
