Medical Identity Theft FAQs

​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.

​How would someone know they are a victim of medical identity theft?
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.

Correcting Mistakes in Your Medical Records
1. Contact each health care provider and ask for copies of your medical records.
2. Review your medical records and report any errors to your health care provider.
3. Notify your health insurance and all 3 credit reporting companies. 
4. Order copies of your credit report if you haven’t already.
5. Consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit files.
​6. Update your files. 

·Adapted from: Virginia Nurses Today (Feb-April) www.virginianurses.com
· https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0171-medical-identity-theft#Detecting

Originally posted in the Young at Heart Instructor Newsletter - March 2016