BALTIMORE – This communication applies to Maryland consumers who purchased medical plans from Simple Health Plans LLC (Simple Health) that were marketed as comprehensive health insurance, and who are still paying monthly fees. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Simple Health of deceptive sales practices. According to the FTC, Simple Health committed fraud when it marketed and sold medical plans to consumers and described those medical plans as providing “expansive coverage for all of their medical needs,” when in fact the plans sold by Simple Health did not provide this type of coverage.

 

Please be advised that you have or will be receiving a Consumer Notice from the court-appointed receiver for Simple Health (“Consumer Notice”) informing you that the Simple Health plan you purchased does not meet the minimum coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and does not provide comprehensive health insurance. Please read this Consumer Notice carefully. It was authorized by the U.S. District Court overseeing the lawsuit filed by the FTC against Simple Health.

 

Among other things, the Consumer Notice will advise that you may be entitled to a special enrollment period if you wish to apply for comprehensive health insurance. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a certain amount of time outside the yearly open enrollment period when you can sign up for health insurance.

 

In response to this issue, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, Maryland’s state-based health insurance marketplace, is offering a one-time SEP for you to purchase a comprehensive health insurance plan. The SEP is open now and will be open until September 4, 2019.

 

 

For more information about the FTC’s lawsuit and the Consumer Notice please visit: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/07/consumers-still-paying-sham-insurance-products-sold-simple-health.