Medical ID Theft

When people think if ID theft they usually think of stolen credit cards, stolen bank accounts, or loans taken out in their name. While important things to think about, there is another, probably more important, thing to think about: medical records.

With your name, birthday, and social security number, another person can use that information to get medical treatment in your name. And, the first time you find out about it might be a collection agency knocking on the door with a $100,000 bill. But, that not the worst of it!

In the process of being you, the other person's medical data is entered into records that say that data belongs to you. And, worse, these records can make their way through database after database as they travel through the insurance system. So, the next time you go to the hospital you may find that your blood type on file is wrong and if that is acted on when you are not in a position to correct the error, you could be in serious trouble and your life at risk. Same for prescriptions; the other person may be taking drugs that you could be allergic to or, even if not, drugs that could have a serious negative effect on your life if given to you.

Or, what if the person died. Does that mean you are now dead in various databases around the country? It could.

Fortunately, many hospitals now recognize the possibility of ID theft and are at least asking for an ID for people coming in; but even this does not completely protect you if you have an accident and are in a coma when you get to the hospital. After all, the fake person did take your name.

Finally, if records do get corrupted in this way it is very difficult to correct them. Unlike credit records which are basically centralized in three credit reporting bureaus, medical records are scattered among many different locations including doctor's offices, hospitals, and various insurance offices -- not to mention government agencies for those using government services. And, there is no law presently on the books that allows you to correct errors in medical records.

What to do?

As with credit card statement and bank statements, look carefully at all medical EOBs that you might receive and compare all charges with a log of medical treatments you have had. Flag anything billed for not in the log. If the doctor's office or hospital is in the area make a trip there and ask to examine the records and determine if they are really for you or for someone else. If for someone else then take all actions necessary to get the records changed. Involve the local police if necessary. Make it clear that the records do not apply to you and insist that you be informed of all of the locations the records were sent and then contact them and go through the process again. It won't be easy but consider it necessary.

In the meantime, prepare a one-page summary of your medical conditions and prescriptions and carry it with you. Keep information like your birth date and Social Security number off the summary in case it gets stolen but at least if you are in an accident and can't respond there will be some information the doctors can use.

Or, create and keep the summary at a service like MedicAlert and then wear one of their emblems. The emblems are universally recognized and carry an ID number that doctors can use to recover the stored medical profile.

Also, iHealthRecord allows you to keep a similar record on the Internet but is not as widely recognized. It, however, is a free service but has no emblems you can wear.

Whichever course of action you take, at least take a course of action. Doing nothing can cost you more than just a few dollars and inconvenience.

More Information

• MedicAlert
• iHealthRecord