By Scott Sieber
Aggressive salesmen have taken to the streets in Flushing in an attempt to get seniors to switch health plans, leaving many who succumbed to their influence unable to visit their normal doctors, according to City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing).Liu joined some 15 Korean senior citizens who have fallen victim to what Liu called last Thursday “bait and switch” tactics.”They may cut corners and get switched from one plan to another,” Liu said. “This is at best aggressive marketing, and at worst Medicare fraud.”Although those who attended the news conference were Korean, Liu said there have also been seniors of Chinese origin who have fallen victim to the scam. He said the salesmen all spoke the language of the seniors who switched, and that the victimized seniors had not recklessly signed the papers because they did not understood the language.”I was approached on the street by an HMO representative who offered gifts and incentives to sign up for their health plan. They filled out the form for me and they said all I had to do was to sign it,” said Mrs. Kim, a 72 year-old woman. “I had no idea this would force me to see another doctor who didn't even speak my language.”Liu did not identify the health-care providers that are approaching the seniors, but he said they are prevalent throughout Northern Boulevard and Main Street.He said office is working with seniors in an effort to switch their plans back.”They have been co-operating with the switchback, but we want the plan to contact the people,” he said. “It should not take people coming to my office.”Liu said he believes there are others out there who may also need help getting their old health-care providers back.Anyone who feels they may have experienced the “bait and switch” tactic, he said, should call his office at 718-888-8747, Ext. 116.Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
