{"id":330,"date":"2013-08-21T20:30:09","date_gmt":"2013-08-22T01:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/assistinghandspb.wordpress.com\/?p=141"},"modified":"2020-01-15T11:49:30","modified_gmt":"2020-01-15T16:49:30","slug":"dont-be-part-of-the-medical-identity-theft-epidemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/34\/florida\/palmbeach\/blog\/dont-be-part-of-the-medical-identity-theft-epidemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Be Part of the Medical Identity Theft Epidemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dont<\/p>\n

During the ongoing national debate over healthcare reform, there is one point most people can agree on: the need to curtail the growing epidemic of healthcare fraud. Estimates put the loss at $65 billion a year to Medicare alone. Government agencies are working hard to catch these crooks\u2014and you can help by protecting yourself and loved ones against medical identity theft.<\/p>\n

Medical identity theft happens when a scammer steals your personal information (such as your name, Social Security number and medical insurance policy and\/or Medicare number) and uses it to commit healthcare fraud.<\/p>\n

Once crooks have your personal information, what could happen? A thief could walk into a hospital and use your name and identity to obtain medical treatment or drugs. Or, an unscrupulous provider (or a dishonest employee of an honest provider) could file fraudulent charges in your name. Criminals have even formed phony “clinics” using post office boxes to cheat insurance companies by filing fraudulent medical claims.<\/p>\n

Medical ID theft can have an impact on\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Your money.<\/strong>\u00a0You could be billed for the thief’s charges, and possibly end up spending even more for legal help to straighten out the problem.<\/li>\n
  2. Your credit rating.<\/strong>\u00a0Unpaid charges run up by the crooks can impact your credit score.<\/li>\n
  3. Your time.<\/strong>\u00a0It can take many hours to untangle the mess, which might involve one or more of your healthcare providers, your insurance company and\/or Medicare, the credit bureau, even law enforcement agencies.<\/li>\n
  4. Your good name.<\/strong>\u00a0Some victims have found themselves involved in a criminal investigation when scammers illegally obtain drugs in their name.<\/li>\n
  5. Your health.<\/strong>\u00a0Most importantly, Medical ID theft could be dangerous if the criminal’s information (blood type, medical history, medications, allergies, etc.) were to be entered in your medical records. And if a thief uses up your insurance benefit cap, you could be denied coverage for treatment when you need it, or even lose your coverage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Beyond the personal level, medical ID theft hurts us all by helping to drive up medical costs across the nation.<\/p>\n

    Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid medical ID theft. Know the warning signs, and be proactive in protecting your personal information.<\/p>\n