Medical Identify Fraud 

There are so many types of ID theft to be aware of that it can become overwhelming. Nonetheless it is best to be aware – and prepared – in the event you become a victim. This month we examine MEDICAL ID THEFT. Medical identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number) to obtain medical care, buy drugs, or submit fake billings to Medicare in your name.

This is an area of concern not only due to its financial implications but also the risks it poses to having potentially false data on your medical record. If the thief’s health information is mixed with yours, your treatment, insurance and payment records, and credit report may be affected.

Often we do not think of ID theft in these terms. We may look for false charges on a credit card or suspicious activity in our bank account.  Nowadays we need to get in the habit of checking, and re-checking, everything that has our personal information. Read your medical and insurance statements regularly and completely. They can show warning signs of identity theft. Read the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement or Medicare Summary Notice that your health plan sends after treatment. Check the name of the provider, the date of service, and the service provided. Do the claims paid match the care you received? If you see a mistake, contact your health plan and report the problem.

Here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

• Be careful to whom you provide your health plan ID number. Be wary if someone offers you “free” health services or products, but requires you to provide your health plan ID number. Medical identity thieves may pretend to work for an insurance company, doctors’ offices, clinic, or pharmacy to try to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Don’t share medical or insurance information by phone or email unless you initiated the contact and know with whom you’re dealing.
• Any paperwork you receive from your doctor or insurance company should be kept in a safe place or shredded. ALSO, remove and shred the labels from your prescriptions
• Get a copy of your medical records and check them for errors. Federal law gives you the right to know what’s in your medical files. Contact each doctor, clinic, hospital, pharmacy, laboratory, health plan, and location where a thief may have used your information

Once you get in the habit of checking for errors it will not seem quite as overwhelming but rather become second nature. Health and Human Services (HHS) has a great brochure on tips and resources.

Financial Consultation and Support

• Access free financial consultation. Your EAP offers free initial telephonic consultations with financial counselors on issues such as budgeting, debt consolidation, consumer credit, fluctuations in income, retirement, saving for college, IRS matters and more. Calls are 60 minutes long. Dial your program’s toll-free number and ask for financial consultation services. Our consultants are financial professionals experienced in accounting, banking and insurance.
• Obtain fraud resolution assistance. If needed, you can consult with fraud resolution specialists™ who will guide you through difficult fraud-related emergencies like identity theft.
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