Medical Identity Theft
A thief may use your name or health insurance numbers to see a doctor, get prescription drugs, file claims with your insurance provider, or get other care. If the thief’s health information is mixed with yours, your treatment, insurance and payment records, and credit report may be affected.
If you see signs of medical identity theft, order copies of your records and check for mistakes. You have the right to see your records and have mistakes corrected.
Detecting Medical Identity Theft
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.
Other signs of medical identity theft include:
- a bill for medical services you didn’t receive
- a call from a debt collector about a medical debt you don’t owe
- medical collection notices on your credit report that you don’t recognize
- a notice from your health plan saying you reached your benefit limit
- a denial of insurance because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
