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Consumer Alert

The low-down on health insurance ads during open season

Christopher E. Brown

December 10, 2024

During open season for the Health Insurance Marketplace, you might have seen an increase — maybe a flood — of ads for health plans. The ads might promise comprehensive health insurance…but the plan turns out to have limited benefits. Or it’s a medical discount card and not insurance at all. Some ads might promise rewards or rebates to anyone who signs up for a plan. Or they might say they’re from the government – or government-endorsed, hoping to gain your trust. How to make heads or tails of it all?

Consumer Alert

Looking for Marketplace health insurance this open enrollment season? Avoid scammers.

Kira Krown

November 4, 2024

Looking to get or switch your Marketplace health insurance during open enrollment (November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025)? Don’t click on ads that say they offer free things like phones or cash cards for gas, groceries, or bills to those who enroll in a health insurance plan. They’re probably scams. Instead, use the official Health Insurance Marketplace to find plans you qualify for, get help signing up, or enroll in the plan you choose directly.

Consumer Alert

How to order free COVID test kits from the federal government and avoid the scammers

Eunice Kim

October 2, 2024

The federal government is once again offering free COVID test kits. When it opens in September, you can order up to four kits per household at COVIDTests.gov. All for free.

Consumer Alert

Sellers of edible cannabis: Stop using packaging that mimics foods popular with kids

Colleen Tressler

July 16, 2024

When sellers of edible cannabis products use packaging that mimics popular kids’ cereals, snacks, and candy, the FTC and FDA take notice — and action. Edible cannabis — like cereal, gummies, cookies, candies, and chips — have cannabis that’s derived from marijuana or hemp. Some of these foods have Delta-8 THC, which is a part of cannabis that causes psychoactive and intoxicating effects. After accidentally eating edibles with THC, many kids have gotten sick and even been hospitalized.