Health care reform is in the news, and as we've seen numerous times in the past, scammers love to use hot topics as a hook to steal consumers' money. For those of us not involved in providing insurance-related services to consumers looking for health care, what can we do, and what information can we offer, to help them find the assistance they need and to avoid or report scams?

The Federal Trade Commission invites you to attend this half-day event scheduled for September 19th targeted at organizations that engage with consumers who: 1) may be eligible to obtain insurance through new health insurance marketplaces (e.g., young adults, low-income consumers, the unemployed, etc.); or 2) are likely to be the focus of scam artists seeking to use health reform as a lure to defraud them (e.g., the elderly). We expect attendees to include legal services organizations, state and federal law enforcement agencies, consumer groups, and other non-profits.

Panelists will provide the audience with background information about the ACA and the newly created health insurance marketplaces. The discussion will include how the marketplaces will work and the role of "navigators" and other in-person assistors in helping consumers obtain health insurance. Panelists will also discuss how to help consumers avoid and report health care scams, law enforcement experiences in combating it, and next steps to continue those efforts.

If you are interested in attending, please send your RSVP to Tracey Thomas at tthomas@ftc.gov. Additional details, including a full agenda, will be provided as they become available.

Cost: Free

Webcast viewing will be available-details to be provided