"Unauthorized Changes: ACA Health Insurance Plans Switched Without Consent"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Insurance brokers are reportedly switching consumers covered by Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plans to new plans without their knowledge, potentially leaving them unable to access their doctors or prescriptions. This unauthorized enrollment or plan-switching is a growing issue, with rogue agents accessing policyholder accounts through the federal marketplace and collecting commissions on the new plans. Some consumers face IRS bills for back taxes due to misstated income, while others find themselves in plans they didn't choose, leading to difficulties in accessing healthcare services. Federal regulators are aware of the problem and have taken steps to combat it, but the issue persists, particularly in states served by the federal marketplace.