Medical identity theft is a type of identity theft that occurs when someone uses another persons personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, health insurance account number, or Medicare number, to receive medical care in their name. The thief may use the stolen information to see a doctor, get prescription drugs, buy medical devices, submit claims with the victims insurance provider, or receive other medical care. Medical identity theft can have serious consequences, including disrupting the victims medical care, wasting taxpayer dollars, and contaminating the victims personal medical records with incorrect information.
To protect against medical identity theft, individuals should take steps to protect their personal information, such as keeping documents that contain medical information secure, reviewing medical records for errors, and reporting questionable charges or fraud. If someone suspects they have been a victim of medical identity theft, they should contact their healthcare provider and insurance company immediately to report the issue and work to get corrected information in their files.
