Monday, September 21, 2009

The government is investigating a major insurance company for allegedly trying to scare seniors about the health care overhaul in Congress.

The Health and Human Services Department is objecting to a mailer that Humana recently sent Medicare recipients.

It warned that "millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many important benefits and services." The bills in Congress would cut payments to private insurance plans that serve about one-fourth of seniors.

Government experts say those plans are overpaid and lawmakers insist it won't affect benefits.

HHS ordered Humana to stop all such mailings and says it may take further action based on its investigation. There was no immediate comment from Humana.