Advice for Online Health Insurance Shoppers
Protection of Personal Information
Most of the easy-to-find health insurance websites operate with the same basic strategy. They obtain your personal data (name, address, phone number, email, age, height, weight, private health information, etc.), and immediately sell to insurance agents.
Result: Your private information is compromised and you get a bunch of phone calls from insurance salesmen.
In contrast, any information you provide at medplanaccess.com (and we don't ask for much) STAYS WITH US. We don't sell or distribute data obtained from our site visitors.
Here are a few tips to make your health insurance search more secure and effective:
Check Website Privacy Practices
To protect your personal information, look for health insurance websites providing meaningful assurance that your private data will be safeguarded.
Websites that are serious about privacy obtain third party endorsement. For example, MedPlan Access is a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program. TRUSTe is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to build user's trust and confidence in the Internet by promoting the use of fair information practices. To receive a TRUSTe endorsement, an organization's administrative practices and website are subjected to a rigorous review.
Safety from Hackers
Only provide sensitive information, such as your social security number, a credit card number, or personal medical details, through a SECURE website page. By using encryption, a secure website page ensures that information you enter on a form will not be intercepted by computer hackers.
- The web address begins with "https:", rather than "http:"
- A small padlock appears in a corner of your browser window.
Encryption security is only necessary on website pages that require you to enter personal information.
Don't Get too Personal
If a health insurance website promises quotes, but asks for information like your occupation, your income or the names of your children, just leave. This personal data will almost certainly be sold.
Unless you're certain you're dealing with a trusted vendor or you're actually submitting a health insurance application through the insurance company website, don't provide private health information. We never cease to be amazed at the masses of consumers who freely volunteer details of their health histories and prescription usage through websites that don't even display a phone number or mailing address.
Use commons sense in guarding your private information.
Look for Business Address and Phone
If a health insurance website doesn't provide a business street address, or you can't find a phone number within a couple clicks, you've likely encountered one of the many sleazy operations that only want to profit from your private information.
Independent Quality Standards
Trustworthy websites get independent credentialing. You can find examples at the bottom of this page.
For example, if you click the Better Business Bureau Online Reliability Program logo below, you'll get confirmation that MedPlan Access meets particular Better Business Bureau standards. This is one of several independent credentials we display.
Other respected credentialing organizations include TRUSTe, which reviews and endorses website privacy practices. Verisign, Comodo and Thawte provide verification of security in communications between your computer and a website. The Health on the Net Foundation (HONcode) confirms responsible practices in website presentation of health-related information. ControlScan provides verification of multiple business practices and website characteristics.
