Medical identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's personal information, such as their name, date of birth, Social Security number, or health insurance information, to obtain medical care, prescription drugs, or health insurance. The thief may use this information to receive medical care or submit false claims to health insurance providers, which can result in the victim being billed for services they did not receive, or having their health insurance coverage denied or canceled.
Medical identity theft can have a number of negative consequences for the victim, including:
- Incorrect medical records: The victim's medical records may be corrupted with the thief's information, which can lead to incorrect diagnoses and treatments.
- Denied or delayed health care: The victim may be denied health care or have their care delayed because the thief has used up their insurance benefits.
- Financial problems: The victim may incur significant financial problems as a result of the thief's actions, including being billed for services they did not receive, or having their health insurance coverage canceled.
- Emotional distress: The victim may experience a great deal of stress and anxiety as a result of the medical identity theft.
How do you check for medical identity theft?
There are a few steps you can take to check for medical identity theft:
1. Check your medical records for any inaccuracies. If you see any treatments or procedures that you didn't have, or any information that is incorrect, this could be a sign of medical identity theft.
2. Check your credit report for any suspicious activity. If you see any medical debts on your report that you don't recognize, this could be a sign that your medical information has been used to apply for credit in your name.
3. Check your insurance statements for any suspicious activity. If you see any charges for treatments or procedures that you didn't receive, or any other suspicious activity, this could be a sign of medical identity theft.
4. If you suspect that you may be a victim of medical identity theft, you should contact your health care provider, your health insurance company, and the credit reporting agencies to report the fraud and to get help in clearing your name and restoring your credit.
How does identity theft differ from medical identity theft?
Medical identity theft is a specific type of identity theft in which someone uses another person's personal health information (PHI) to obtain medical care, commit fraud, or otherwise exploit the individual's health insurance. This can include using another person's insurance to pay for medical services, submitting false claims to Medicare or Medicaid, or even obtaining prescription drugs in someone else's name.
Medical identity theft can have serious consequences for the victim, as it can lead to erroneous information in their medical records, incorrect diagnoses, and denied insurance claims. In some cases, it can even put the victim at risk of identity theft-related identity fraud.
There are a few key ways in which medical identity theft differs from other types of identity theft:
1. The information used is usually specific to the healthcare industry.
2. The consequences can be more severe, as they can potentially threaten the victim's health and well-being.
3. It can be more difficult to detect, as the victim may not realize that their information has been used until they receive a bill for services they didn't receive, or are denied insurance coverage.
4. It can be more difficult to resolve, as the victim may need to work with multiple organizations (e.g. their health insurer, their doctor, and their credit company) to clear up the fraudulent activity.
What is the best way to prevent medical identity theft?
The best way to prevent medical identity theft is to be vigilant about protecting your personal information. This includes being careful about who you share your information with and keeping track of your medical records.
Some specific things you can do to prevent medical identity theft include:
1. Be careful about who you give your personal information to.
2. Keep track of your medical records and who has access to them.
3. Be aware of the signs that your identity may have been stolen, such as unexplained changes to your medical records or receiving bills for services you didn’t receive.
If you think you may be a victim of medical identity theft, you should take immediate steps to correct the situation, such as contacting your health care provider and the credit reporting agencies.