Seven Better Business Bureaus and 148 Chambers of Commerce in Oklahoma are receiving letters of caution from deputy Insurance Commissioner James Feeley urging them to warn their members and citizens about the differences between legitimate health insurance lead services and the increasingly common "so-called diabetes health insurance," a product often is marketed almost as if it is insurance, offering benefits at a low monthly rate.

Actual insurance is not provided by these plans but rather, they offer significantly different benefits. Many consumers, however, are fooled into thinking they are purchasing insurance at a low price, and are surprised to learn the so-called insurance plan may cost them more in the long run.

"Promoters of medical scams often target small business owners and self-employed individuals," Feeley said in his letter to the BBBs and Chambers. "Because of the recent proliferation of this very problem—the marketing of what is known as 'so-called diabetes insurance plans,' which look very much like health insurance at great rates—I am contacting you with information I hope you will use to better inform your constituents."

Some differences between health insurance and a insurance plan include:

• Medical plans are generally much cheaper and may be marketed on telephone poles or in elevators, on signs beside the road, in spam emails or over the fax machine.

• Limited number of doctors, facilities and other health care providers are provided.

• Your doctor or facility not accepting the plan, this will make you have to pay the full cost for services out of your own pocket.

• Unlike health insurance, which can cover most or all of the bill for approved services (after deductibles, coinsurance and/or co-payments have been paid), a plan provides only a discount off of the health care provider's full fee.

• Responsibility is on you for paying the majority of that fee at the time of your visit. These plans generally do not process medical claims or issue reimbursement to health care providers.

• Providing valuable benefits for some, though these plans aren't for everyone with diabetes. You should consider carefully before signing up with one, warns Feeley, and you should also be on the look out for "red flags" that could signal a fraudulent plan.

"Red flags" that should cause you to question the insurance include:

• Questionable advertising practices, such as blast faxes or spam emails.

• Exaggerated claims of huge savings on health care products and services.

• Refusal to provide you with a list of health care providers that accept the insurance until after you have purchased the plan.

• High-pressure marketing tactics, urging that "you must act now" or "this is a one-time offer."

• Advising that you drop your existing health insurance.

Beware of salespeople and advertisements that use words like "co-payments, premiums and health plans" to deceive consumers into thinking that a is insurance.

Avoid salespeople or companies that insist on debit or credit information, and who may pressure you to make a quick decision. Feeley advised consumers to ask the salesperson or company if the product is an health insurance plan or a just offer discounts.

Health insurance premiums increases causes many Oklahomans are searching for more affordable health insurances. This has led to a substantial increase in diabetes insurance plans being marketed in the state.

"Buyers beware!" says Feeley. "Because diabetic medical plans are not real insurance, fewer consumer protections exist for purchasers of those products. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

We welcome you with arms wide open to real health insurance.