Medical identity theft numbers have increased over the last several years. Identity theft involving Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, credit cards and bank account information have been widely reported in the media. Medical identity theft can be costly. Even worse, healthcare identity fraud can affect someone's physical health. Learn more about medical identity theft to avoid becoming a victim.
How Medical Identity Thieves Use Stolen Information
Medical identity thieves use stolen healthcare records in a number of insidious ways. Criminals use stolen health insurance information to receive hospital treatment, obtain prescription drugs and get discounted doctor visits. In addition, medical identity thieves use information obtained from healthcare records to file phony insurance claims to get big payouts from health insurance companies. And sometimes the criminals are in the medical profession, doctoring personal medical files in order to over-bill insurance companies.
The Dangers of Medical Identity Theft for Victims
There are a number of dangerous consequences for victims of medical identity theft. Financial losses caused by healthcare identity fraud can severely impact a credit history. Unpaid medical bills will go into collections and it can take months or years to clean up a credit report. Altered healthcare records may result in an incorrect treatment or diagnosis. Incorrect information in personal files from medical identity theft and fraud may even result in problems obtaining a job.
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Medical Identity Theft Victim
- Always review bills, notices and statements received from doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies to avoid becoming a victim of medical identity theft.
- Avoid becoming a medical identity theft victim by immediately reporting incorrect information to the appropriate parties. Make sure the treatment detailed in personal healthcare records jibes with treatment actually received. Double-check types and dates of treatment on the statements.
- Protect a health insurance card the same way you protect credit cards and bank account information to avoid becoming a victim of healthcare identity fraud. The card can be used to obtain prescription drugs or treatment in a hospital or doctor’s office and needs safeguarding.
Healthcare Identity Fraud Protection Tips
Prevent medical identity fraud by reviewing personal healthcare records. The Medical Information Bureau compiles information from several hundred health insurance companies to provide a free annual report to consumers in the U.S. People who have applied for disability, life or health insurance in the last seven years can order a copy of their Medical Information Bureau report by calling 1-866-692-6901. Review the report for mistakes or unusual entries - they may indicate healthcare identity fraud. If anything seems awry in the healthcare records, immediately contact the appropriate insurance company.
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