Medical identity theft happens when a fraudster
uses a person’s name and occasionally other
parts of their identity -- such as insurance
information -- without the person’s knowledge or
consent to obtain medical services or goods, or
uses the person’s identity information to make
false claims for medical services or goods.
Medical identity theft often results in
incorrect information being entered into
existing medical records. It can also involve
the creation of fictitious medical records in
the victim’s name. The worst part is that
consumers may not even know their records have
been compromised.
Until recently, medical
identity thieves were solo operators who
pretended to be someone else because they needed
medical care. Now, it turns out employees inside
the healthcare system are stealing patients’
information to make false insurance claims.
It is difficult to fix this crime after the
fact, because victims have limited rights and
recourses. Medical identity theft typically
leaves a trail of falsified information in
medical records that can plague victims’ medical
and financial lives for years.
Tips to Protect Yourself
1. Carefully review insurance statements for
anything that seems wrong, even if you don’t owe
any money.
 | Look for charges for services that you
did not receive. |
| Look for charges for office visits you
did not make. |
| Look for charges for medical equipment
that you didn’t use. |
2. Once a year, ask to get a copy of medical
records from each health care provider you use.
That way, if your records are comprised in the
future, you’ll have the correct information on
hand.
3. Each year, request a listing of benefits
paid for in your name from your health insurer.
Remember, under HIPAA, you have a right to
see your records from every health insurer and
provider you’ve used. If you see payments you do
not recognize, ask questions.
If you think you’ve been a victim of medical
identity theft, call the
Nevada Consumer Affairs Division at (702)
486-7355 or (775) 688-1800 or the
Medicaid/Medicare Fraud Hotline toll-free at
(800) 447-8477 or the
Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft
toll-free hotline at (877) 438-4338.
It’s also extremely important to file a
police report. You may need the police report
for health care providers and insurance
companies.
Source:
http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/medicalidentitytheft.html
and
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/living-well-usn/2008/02/29/medical-identity-theft-turns-patients-into-victims.html
