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Winter 2010
By Robert Uribe, Bison Mountain Financial, Inc.
Medical identity theft is one of the faster growing categories of identity theft. It occurs when a
person uses a false identity to obtain medical treatment, prescription drugs or access to health
insurance benefits.
Any medical care provided to someone using your name can cause incorrect data to become a
part of your medical history. This data can lead to a misdiagnosis for you in the future and,
consequently, improper treatment. Further injury, delayed recovery or even death may result.
The same vigilance that has led to a reduced severity in financial identity theft crimes needs to be
employed on the medical ID theft front. There are some keys things people can do to detect
medical ID theft.
The vast majority of American consumers are not employing these detection strategies. Most only
realize they have been a victim when they start receiving bills for treatment they did not receive or
are denied insurance coverage because the insurance company says they have reached the limit
on benefits.
Perhaps closer to a lender’s world, credit insurance companies may find something in the insured’
s medical records during a routine investigation following death of the insured within the
contestability period. The insurance claim is then denied and the credit insurance premium is
refunded. Imagine a scenario where a borrower needs to buy life insurance and provide his
lender a collateral assignment on the policy. Suppose that borrower is declined due to
misinformation on his medical history and subsequently dies uninsured before errors to his
medical records can be corrected and coverage purchased. Both scenarios are avoidable if
consumers are consciously reviewing their medical information.
If you find false information in your records, you should get a copy of the accounting of
disclosures for your medical record from your insurance company and healthcare providers. This
will help you identify everyone who has received a copy of the incorrect information.
HIPAA allows you the right to correct the information in your medical records. Write a letter to the
provider or insurance company identifying the disputed information and include copies of any
documents that support your case. In general, the company or provider must correct the
inaccurate information and notify all parties to whom they distributed it.
The process of correcting medical records can be quite frustrating and time consuming. The best
advice I can give to consumers is to employ smart detection strategies and know your rights when
it comes time to set the record straight
By Robert Uribe, Bison Mountain Financial, Inc.
Medical identity theft is one of the faster growing categories of identity theft. It occurs when a
person uses a false identity to obtain medical treatment, prescription drugs or access to health
insurance benefits.
Any medical care provided to someone using your name can cause incorrect data to become a
part of your medical history. This data can lead to a misdiagnosis for you in the future and,
consequently, improper treatment. Further injury, delayed recovery or even death may result.
The same vigilance that has led to a reduced severity in financial identity theft crimes needs to be
employed on the medical ID theft front. There are some keys things people can do to detect
medical ID theft.
- Review the Explanation of Benefits statement your health insurer sends you after
treatment. The treatments listed should match the care you received. Unfortunately, many
insurance companies have stopped mailing these statements and instead simply post them
online. I believe this practice further enables the identity thieves, because not everyone will
visit the website and review their statements. - Get a copy of your medical records. Consumers are getting in the habit of asking for their
free credit reports from the credit bureaus. They should also learn how to obtain their
medical records from their physicians. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPPA) Privacy Rule gives patients the right to obtain their medical records from
insurance companies and healthcare providers. Both are required to provide your medical
records within 30 days of your request.
The vast majority of American consumers are not employing these detection strategies. Most only
realize they have been a victim when they start receiving bills for treatment they did not receive or
are denied insurance coverage because the insurance company says they have reached the limit
on benefits.
Perhaps closer to a lender’s world, credit insurance companies may find something in the insured’
s medical records during a routine investigation following death of the insured within the
contestability period. The insurance claim is then denied and the credit insurance premium is
refunded. Imagine a scenario where a borrower needs to buy life insurance and provide his
lender a collateral assignment on the policy. Suppose that borrower is declined due to
misinformation on his medical history and subsequently dies uninsured before errors to his
medical records can be corrected and coverage purchased. Both scenarios are avoidable if
consumers are consciously reviewing their medical information.
If you find false information in your records, you should get a copy of the accounting of
disclosures for your medical record from your insurance company and healthcare providers. This
will help you identify everyone who has received a copy of the incorrect information.
HIPAA allows you the right to correct the information in your medical records. Write a letter to the
provider or insurance company identifying the disputed information and include copies of any
documents that support your case. In general, the company or provider must correct the
inaccurate information and notify all parties to whom they distributed it.
The process of correcting medical records can be quite frustrating and time consuming. The best
advice I can give to consumers is to employ smart detection strategies and know your rights when
it comes time to set the record straight
| Copyright 2010, Bison Mountain Financial, Inc. |
