A new health insurance scam has evolved out of the new health care bill that was recently signed.  Opportunistic scammers have been going door-to-door, posed as Government officials in some cases, trying to scare people into purchasing phony health insurance plans.

These cases have become common enough that the U.S. Health and Human Services Department has warned state insurance commissioners about the scams and has asked for help in fending off these situations.

Scammers use high pressure sales tactics and false claims that the new law requires you to purchase health insurance (these requirements wont go into place until 2014).

If you do need health insurance, comparing plans from reputable health insurance companies such as Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna for example are safe bets.  If you are speaking to a health insurance agent or broker, and are skeptical whether they are legit, you can contact the state department of insurance to confirm their state license.  the Ohio DOI for example can be reached at 800-686-1526.