Alyssa Lane
Medical identity theft is a serious issue that can occur when a thief gains access to your medical insurance card. This can happen if your wallet is stolen, or if you share your medical information with a friend or family member, a type of friendly fraud. Criminals can use your insurance card to obtain medical goods or services, prescription drugs, or submit fraudulent claims. This can result in you receiving bills for treatments you never received, delays in getting medical care, and even arrest warrants if the thief uses your information to purchase prescription drugs. To protect yourself, treat your medical insurance card and personal health information as you would a credit card, and never share your information unnecessarily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is medical identity theft? | When someone uses your personal information (name, Social Security number, health insurance account number, or Medicare number) to get medical care, see a doctor, get prescription drugs, buy medical devices, or submit claims with your insurance provider. |
| How does it happen? | Someone may lose their wallet with their insurance card in it, or a piece of mail from their insurer may go astray. It may also occur due to a data breach or through phishing scams, fake websites, or hacking devices. |
| What can a thief do with the information? | A thief may use the information to get medical care, submit fraudulent insurance claims, or create fake identities to apply for loans, mortgages, or credit cards. |
| What are the consequences for the victim? | Victims may experience issues with receiving medical care, face debt collection for services they didn't use, or have their credit score affected. |
| How to protect yourself? | Keep medical and insurance information safe and confidential. Don't share your information unnecessarily. Review your medical records and Explanation of Benefits statements for any discrepancies. |
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What You'll Learn
They can obtain prescription drugs
Medical identity theft is a serious issue that can occur if a thief gains access to your medical insurance card. With this information, they can impersonate you and obtain prescription drugs. This can have serious consequences for your health and finances. Here are some ways thieves can obtain prescription drugs with your medical insurance card:
Obtaining Prescription Drugs Illegally
Thieves can use your medical insurance information to pose as you and obtain prescription drugs from pharmacies. They may present your insurance card and personal information, such as your name, date of birth, or address, to convince the pharmacist that they are you. This is a form of identity theft, and the thief may even alter the prescription to obtain a higher quantity or stronger dosage of the medication.
Doctor Shopping
In some cases, thieves may use your medical insurance card to visit multiple doctors and obtain multiple prescriptions. They may feign symptoms or conditions to get prescriptions for controlled substances or addictive medications. By the time the fraud is discovered, they may have obtained a significant amount of prescription drugs.
Altering Medical Records
Thieves may also gain access to your medical records and alter them to obtain prescription drugs. They can change dosage instructions, frequencies, or refill dates to get more medication than prescribed. They might even forge a doctor's signature to authorize these changes, making the alterations appear legitimate.
Stealing Medication
In addition to obtaining prescriptions, thieves may directly steal medication from your possession. They may target your home, vehicle, or any location where you store prescription drugs. This is especially common with addictive or controlled substances, as they have a high street value and are sought after by those struggling with substance abuse issues.
Fraudulent Online Purchases
Your medical insurance information may also be used to make fraudulent online purchases of prescription drugs. Thieves can set up fake online pharmacies or use legitimate websites to order medications using your details. The drugs may be shipped to an address where the thief can retrieve them without your knowledge.
It is important to safeguard your medical insurance card and personal information to prevent such incidents. Keep your insurance card secure, be cautious of phishing attempts, and regularly review your medical records and insurance statements for any suspicious activity. By being vigilant, you can reduce the risk of medical identity theft and protect yourself from the harmful consequences.
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They can submit fraudulent claims
Medical identity theft is a type of identity fraud in which thieves submit fraudulent claims using your health insurance information. This can happen if your wallet, containing your insurance card, is stolen, or if a piece of mail from your insurer goes missing. It can also occur when hackers steal information from health insurance companies and medical providers. In some cases, the victim may know the thief and may even be complicit in the fraud.
Theft of medical identity can have severe consequences, including false representation, where an identity thief pretends to be you to obtain medical care or prescription drugs. This can result in you receiving bills for treatments you never received and being held responsible for unpaid medical services incurred by the thief. Additionally, your health could be at risk if the thief's medical treatment or diagnosis becomes mixed with yours.
To protect yourself from medical identity theft, treat your health insurance card and personal health information as you would a credit card or SSN. If your insurance card is lost or stolen, contact your health insurance company immediately and request a new card and health insurance identification number. Be vigilant about reviewing your Explanations of Benefits (EOB) and all bills and notices, and monitor your medical records and those of your dependents regularly.
If you suspect you have been a victim of medical identity theft, contact your health insurer and ask for a listing of all benefits paid in your name. Review the list and dispute any inaccurate items. Contact the relevant medical providers and request copies of your medical records to identify any fraudulent entries. You may need to submit records request forms and pay fees to obtain these records. Finally, consider creating a personal recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov and seek fraud resolution support services to help you navigate the process and mitigate the damage.
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They can receive medical services
Medical identity theft is a type of fraud that occurs when a thief uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, health insurance account number, or Medicare number, to obtain medical services or goods. This can include visiting a doctor, obtaining prescription drugs, or submitting claims with your insurance provider. This type of theft can have severe consequences for the victim, including receiving unexpected bills, delays in obtaining medical care, and even putting their health at risk if the thief's medical information gets mixed with theirs.
If a thief has your medical insurance card, they can pose as you and receive medical services, such as visiting a doctor, obtaining prescription drugs, or undergoing medical procedures. They can also use your insurance card to submit fraudulent claims. This can result in you receiving bills for treatments you never received and potentially facing debt collectors if the imposter fails to pay. Additionally, it can lead to a loss of benefits or denial of coverage for legitimate medical needs.
To receive medical services, a thief would need to present your insurance card along with some form of identification. In some cases, they might use a fake ID with your information on it, or they might use their own ID and claim to have forgotten or lost their insurance card. Busy hospital emergency departments, where staff may be overworked and less vigilant, can be attractive targets for fraudsters.
It is important to safeguard your health insurance card and treat it as you would a credit card or Social Security card. Keep it secure and never share your insurance information with anyone unnecessarily, even with family and friends. Be vigilant about reviewing your Explanation of Benefits statements and medical records for any suspicious activity or unauthorized use. If you notice any discrepancies or unauthorized charges, contact your insurance provider and healthcare providers immediately to dispute the charges and protect your identity.
If you suspect that your medical insurance card has been stolen or compromised, contact your health insurance company immediately. You may need to request a new card and health insurance identification number. Additionally, consider creating a personal recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov to help you navigate the steps to protect your identity and resolve any issues caused by the theft.
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They can buy medical devices
If a thief gets access to your medical insurance card, they can use it to buy medical devices and other goods, impersonating you and potentially putting your health at risk. This is called medical identity theft.
Medical identity theft can occur when someone loses their wallet, with their insurance card inside, or if a piece of mail from their insurer is intercepted. It can also happen through a data breach, as has been seen with HCA Healthcare, exposing 11 million patients' records. This type of theft is rare compared to other identity fraud, but it can have serious implications.
Thieves can use your insurance card to buy medical devices, such as glucometer devices, surgical trays, mastectomy bras, and other medical supplies. They may also use your card to gain access to medical services, prescription drugs, or to file claims with your insurance company. This can result in you receiving bills for services or devices you never received, and it can impact your ability to receive necessary medical treatment.
To protect yourself from medical identity theft, keep your medical insurance card and other sensitive documents in a safe place. Be cautious when providing personal information, especially over the phone, via email, or text message. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication for your online accounts, including those related to your health insurance plan.
If you suspect that your medical insurance card has been stolen or compromised, contact your insurer immediately and flag your account. Review your Explanation of Benefits statements for any suspicious activity and request your medical records from all providers to check for errors or fraudulent activity.
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They can create fake identities
Medical identity theft is a type of fraud that occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, health insurance account number, or Medicare number, to obtain medical goods or services, equipment, or prescription drugs, and/or submit fraudulent insurance claims. This can have severe consequences for the victim, including receiving unexpected bills, losing health insurance coverage, and even risking their health if the thief's medical information gets mixed with theirs.
Thieves can use stolen medical insurance cards to create fake identities in several ways:
- They can physically steal your wallet or access your mail to obtain your medical insurance card and other personal information.
- They can employ phishing tactics by sending emails or messages that appear legitimate to trick you into divulging your personal information. These messages may contain malicious links that, when clicked, install malware designed to collect passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data.
- They can hack into health insurance companies and medical providers to steal large amounts of personal information, including medical insurance data.
- They may obtain your personal information from old medical documents or other sources and use it to impersonate you when seeking medical services or making insurance claims.
Once thieves have your medical insurance card and personal information, they can create fake identities to receive medical care, obtain prescription drugs, or submit fraudulent insurance claims. They may also use your identity to apply for loans, mortgages, or credit cards, further damaging your financial standing and reputation.
To protect yourself from medical identity theft and the creation of fake identities, it is crucial to safeguard your medical insurance card, treat it as you would a credit card or Social Security card, and never share your personal health information unnecessarily. Additionally, regularly review your medical records, billing statements, and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to identify any suspicious activity or unauthorized use of your insurance benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Medical identity theft is a type of identity fraud in which someone uses your personal information to illegitimately gain access to medical services, goods, or equipment, or to gain financially.
A thief can use your medical insurance card to gain access to medical services, goods, or equipment, or to submit fraudulent claims. They may also use your identity to see a doctor, obtain prescription drugs, or file claims with your insurance company in your name.
Here are some ways to protect yourself from medical identity theft:
- Keep your medical information safe and confidential.
- Treat your medical insurance card and personal health information as you would a credit card or SSN.
- Review your Explanation of Benefits statements for any questionable items.
- Be cautious when providing personal information to unexpected calls, emails, or texts.
Some signs that you may be a victim of medical identity theft include:
- Receiving bills or notices from a hospital or healthcare provider for services you did not receive.
- Being contacted by debt collectors for medical debts that you do not recognize.
- Receiving unexpected medical kits or supplies at your home.
- Notices that your health insurance benefits limit has been reached, even though you haven't made many claims.
If you suspect you are a victim of medical identity theft, take the following steps:
- Contact your health insurance company and inform them about the potential breach.
- Ask them to flag your account and closely monitor your Explanation of Benefits statements.
- Obtain your medical records from doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and other providers to review for any discrepancies.
- Report any errors or fraudulent activity to your healthcare providers and insurers.
