Health insurance is meant to provide essential medical care and peace of mind, but it’s increasingly becoming a target for scammers looking for a big payday. Recent cyberattacks, like the one on Change Healthcare, highlight the vulnerability of medical information, putting millions of Americans, including small business owners, at risk.
The Alarming Reality: Your Health Information Could Be at Risk
Earlier this year, a cyberattack on Change Healthcare compromised the data of thousands of healthcare providers, insurers, and policyholders. Shockingly, reports suggest that 50% of all U.S. medical claims could be at risk. This means if you’re in a waiting room with nine other people, five of you could be targets of medical identity theft this year.
Real-Life Consequences: The Harsh Impact of Medical Fraud
The aftermath of medical fraud is staggering. Imagine going to the doctor only to find out that your insurance won’t cover your procedure because your benefits have been maxed out—only to realize that someone else has been using your medical ID. This nightmare scenario is a reality for many, and it can have severe implications on your health and financial security.
How Scammers Exploit Medical Information: A Look at Fake Billing Schemes
It’s not just individuals who need to be cautious—manipulative organizations can also use your medical information to submit false claims. These fraudulent claims can result in you being billed for services you never requested, received, or even knew about. Just this past July, nearly 200 medical professionals were charged in schemes that defrauded federal programs of billions of dollars.
10 Warning Signs You’re a Victim of Medical ID Fraud
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Unexpected Medical Bills: Receiving bills for services you never received.
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Collection Notices: Being contacted by debt collectors for unpaid medical bills that aren’t yours.
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Errors in Medical Records: Finding inaccuracies in your medical records, such as treatments you never had.
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Insurance Issues: Your health insurance claims are denied because your benefits are maxed out, despite not using the services.
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Notification from Your Insurance Provider: Receiving alerts about claims or services you don’t recognize.
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Unknown Accounts: Discovering new health insurance accounts or medical records under your name that you didn’t create.
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Discrepancies in Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB): EOB statements list services you didn’t receive.
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Being Denied Insurance: Difficulty obtaining insurance due to conditions listed in your records that you don’t have.
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Calls from Medical Providers: Receiving calls about appointments or treatments you never had.
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Unfamiliar Prescriptions: Notices about prescriptions filled in your name that you didn’t authorize.
How to Protect Yourself from Medical ID Fraud
1. Stay Informed: Monitor Health Care Breaches
Use searchable databases to check if your health information has been compromised in recent breaches. Staying informed is your first line of defense.
2. Secure Your Medical Records
Store paper copies of your medical records in a safe or lockbox to prevent unauthorized access. This ensures you have secure backups if your provider's systems are compromised.
3. Shred Sensitive Documents
Before disposing of any documents with personal information, be sure to shred them. This simple step can prevent identity thieves from accessing your medical details.
4. Regularly Review Your Medical Records
Request and review your medical records periodically. Look for any unfamiliar treatments or discrepancies that could indicate fraudulent activity.
5. Scrutinize Your Insurance Bills
Carefully examine your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for services you didn’t receive. Report any suspicious charges to your insurer immediately.
6. Dispose of Prescription Labels Safely
Remove labels from empty prescription bottles before discarding them to prevent identity theft. These labels often contain personal information that could be exploited.
7. Monitor Your Credit Report
Regularly monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity. You can get three free credit reports a year from AnnualCreditReport.com to keep an eye on any irregularities.
Protect Your Business and Yourself: Take Action Today
Medical fraud is a growing threat that can have severe consequences for individuals and businesses alike. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take proactive steps to protect yourself. We can help you identify risks with our
FREE Dark Web Scan. This technology can quickly reveal if your information is for sale on the dark web or if you’ve been a victim of a data breach.
To book your Dark Web Scan, call us at (330) 325-4484 or
click here to schedule. Your health and financial security depend on it.