Medical Identity Theft The Secret Killer

By Author: Jane-Marie Sandberg
Total Articles: 7
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It's 3:00 in the morning and your side is burning with unbelievable pain. Your child hears you cry out in agony and dials 911. The ambulance comes and while rushing you to the nearest hospital the paramedics pretty much determine you're having a severe problem with your appendix. At the hospital they pull up your electronic medical records only to discover that you've already had your appendix taken out. No, you shake your head. You've never had your appendix out. They can't understand what you're trying to say because it doesn't make sense and they just think you're delirious. Your medical records clearly state the day the procedure was performed and the attending doctor. Meanwhile your appendix ruptures and it becomes very clear that someone else had an appendectomy in your name and there's really only one to a customer.

Medical identity theft is a very real and growing problem. With 50 million Americans living without health insurance and the skyrocketing costs for health care there are many individuals and families who just can't fit health care into their budget. Normally honest people, when driven to ...
... desperation, may be placed in situations where to them, their need justifies the means. This could include friends and associates as well as strangers.

7 Easy Tips to Protect Your Medical Records

1. Take responsibility for your own medical records and electronic medical records, including blood type, dates of service, types of service and the providers.

2. Request a full copy of your current medical files from each health care and health insurance provider, each year and carefully check for discrepancies between their records and your own.

3. When conversing with health care providers lower your voice and keep an eye out for others interested in your business.

4. Closely guard your medical records in an organized fashion, safe from prying eyes. Never assume that your records are safe just because they're in your house.

5. If you are disposing of medical statements, bills, prescriptions or any other documents that contain your health and personal information, always cross-shred these papers. Mixing them with messy kitchen garbage will discourage others from trying to put the pieces back together.

6. Don't openly discuss your health or share the details of your medical procedures with others even with co-workers.

7. Never assume that you are safe from identity theft of any type, especially medical identity theft. This has been the cause of accidental death in the past and will continue to be a threat in the future.

These are only a few of the many things that you can personally do to ensure that your health and your health records are safe.

Medical facilities are a rich source of income for an identities thief. Database breaches are becoming more and more common through technology as well as human error. Whether you are singled out by an identity thief for medical care performed in your name or your medical records are used for claims against the insurance company, it's a very difficult road to recovery for the identity theft victim. Use common sense, think things out in advance and be prepared to protect yourself and your loved ones from this crime of opportunity.

And now I'd like to invite you to go to http://www.powerofprivacy.com and get your FREE instant access to Your Ultimate Guide to Privacy from Ifida Known, America's Ambassador for Privacy, Safety, Security, Identity and Assett Protection . Other articles written by Ifida Known are available at http://www.IfidaKnown.com. Copyright 2005-2008 © Ifida Known Enterprises LLC