The Maine Bureau of Insurance (Bureau) has learned that Maine consumers searching for health insurance online are being contacted by sales persons offering to enroll them in coverage through LifeX Research Corporation.  Consumers are being told they will be covered by LifeX’s health plan by becoming its employees.

Any health plan being offered by LifeX is not a major medical health insurance plan regulated by the Bureau.  Some Maine consumers have been told the LifeX health plan will be issued by a well-known health insurer.  This is not true.  None of the licensed health insurers offering major medical coverage in the State of Maine provide coverage to Maine consumers through LifeX.

Maine consumers have also received information about oher entities in connection with LifeX plans, including Benefit Health Plan, Inc. or “BHPI” and benefit Logistics Captive Insurance Company.  These entities are not licensed to engage in the business of insurance in Maine.  Unfortunately, during open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage, there is often an increase in unlicensed entities attempting to sell unapproved products to consumers.

As a reminder, if you are contacted by phone after searching for health insurance online, do not give out any personal or financial information until you confirm you are dealing with licensed individuals selling products from insurance companies licensed by the Bureau.

Some red flags to watch for during sales calls are: The caller will not identify the name of the insurance company; The caller claims to be an insurane agent but will not provide an insurance producer license number; You are not given an opportunity to review the plan details prior to purchase; The caller insists that you must make the purchase right away to get a low rate and you are required to join an association or pay an application fee to purchase the plan.

If you are questioning information provided to you over the phone or concerned about a website found during an online search, you can call the Bureau at 207 – 624-8475 or email the Bureau at Insurance.PFR@maine.gov.  You are encouraged to contact the Bureau prior to making any purchase.