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Medical Identity Theft Can Be Harmful To Your Health

Posted on Mar 7, 2007 by Michelle Pastor

Identity thieves are usually after their victim’s good credit, but that's not all they want. 

Medical insurance coverage has become as good as gold to identity thieves because with it, they can get free medical care for themselves.  All it takes is a stolen wallet and an insurance card with the right information to give a thief a new identity that comes complete with health insurance. 

Not only will the victim encounter large medical bills, but medical insurance and life insurance companies may deny the victim coverage because of the thief’s treatment for cancer, diabetes or any other condition that flags an insurance company.
 
There are many other concerns. What if the identity thief's medical treatment costs reach the maximum that the health insurance policy will pay? How will the victim get medical treatment paid for if he becomes ill?  Not to mention that the medical records of both individuals are now combined which can become life-threatening.

An article at needymeds.com gives great examples of medical id theft. The article also gives the following tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Avoid carrying your Social Security card or information containing your Social Security number.
• Never leave medical or prescription drug cards unattended in a purse, desk or locker. Think of your healthcare card as being as valuable as a credit card.
• Never give your out financial, health or insurance information to telemarketers, unsolicited salespeople or strangers.
• Always check the "explanation of benefits" notices sent from your health insurance company. Look for services that were never performed, incorrect dates of treatment or prescriptions or medical equipment that were never received.
• Ask your insurer, at least once a year, to provide a list of all benefits that have been paid in your name. A criminal may change the address or phone so you are unaware that a benefit has been paid in your name.
• Check your credit report periodically. Some victims learn of medical ID theft from collection notices that they never received. By Federal law, you are entitled to a free annual credit report. You can do this at www.annualcreditreport.com.