Insurance Scams in Massachusetts

From: Karen Brown
Length: 03:31

An unfortunate byproduct of the health insurance mandate in Massachusetts -- the marketing of health plans that don't add up. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Insurance Scams in Massachusetts
From: Karen Brown

Gary_cloutier2_small

IN 2006, WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MANDATED THAT EVERY RESIDENT IN THE STATE HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THE MARKET BLEW WIDE OPEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES. AND WHILE MOST OF THEM HAVE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTS, SOME HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF A NEW CONSUMER BASE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS OR WHAT IT’S GETTING.

This piece is part of an ongoing series, funded by a Kaiser Media Fellowship, on the Massachusetts health reform experiment.

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Piece Description

IN 2006, WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MANDATED THAT EVERY RESIDENT IN THE STATE HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THE MARKET BLEW WIDE OPEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES. AND WHILE MOST OF THEM HAVE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTS, SOME HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF A NEW CONSUMER BASE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS OR WHAT IT’S GETTING.

This piece is part of an ongoing series, funded by a Kaiser Media Fellowship, on the Massachusetts health reform experiment.

Broadcast History

A similar version aired on NPR's Morning Edition on March 3, 2009.

Transcript

Intro:
WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MANDATED IN 2006 THAT EVERY RESIDENT IN THE STATE HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THE MARKET BLEW WIDE OPEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES. AND WHILE MOST OF THEM HAVE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTS, SOME HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF A NEW CONSUMER BASE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS, OR WHAT IT’S GETTING. KAREN BROWN – A KAISER FOUNDATION FELLOW – REPORTS.

[ amb -- auto repair shop ambience, if/as needed]
GARY CLOUTIER HASN’T HAD HEALTH INSURANCE SINCE THE 1980S. HE OWNS AN AUTO-BODY REPAIR SHOP IN WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AND TAKES HOME ABOUT 40,000 DOLLARS A YEAR, BUT BUSINESS IS WAY DOWN. HE KNOWS HE'S SUPPOSED TO BUY HEALTH COVERAGE TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW, BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE HE'LL FIND THE MONEY.
GC: what else can i cut? i mean i have a truck that's a 99, going on ten years old, 160 something thousand miles on it. i can't afford another truck... last week my phone g...
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

3:30, without host introduction.

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

Intro:
WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MANDATED IN 2006 THAT EVERY RESIDENT IN THE STATE HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THE MARKET BLEW WIDE OPEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES. AND WHILE MOST OF THEM HAVE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTS, SOME HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF A NEW CONSUMER BASE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS, OR WHAT IT’S GETTING. KAREN BROWN – A KAISER FOUNDATION FELLOW – REPORTS.

OUTRO:

... he throws them away. I'm Karen Brown.