| We are all aware of the rampant crime of | | | | expenses the problem becomes twofold, not |
| Identity Theft. And if you are one of the | | | | only in fraudulent charges being billed |
| millions who have had this happen to you and | | | | against your medical insurance policy, but |
| have had to unravel the tangles of trumped up | | | | the thief may confuse your medical history |
| credit card charges and worse, then you know | | | | with their own, by ordering tests and |
| how destructive this crime can be. But health | | | | medications that you do not require. This can |
| insurers like Blue Cross and Blue Shield are | | | | have a serious impact on your future |
| reporting a rise in a new spin on the crime. | | | | healthcare. |
| Medical ID Theft; and it can have devastating | | | | |
| consequences not only on your finances but | | | | But perhaps more insidious is when the theft |
| also on your health. | | | | occurs when you use your health insurance |
| | | | benefits legitimately at the office of a |
| Many people with health insurance fail to | | | | medical provider and that information is |
| realize that their insurance card is as | | | | lifted by an unscrupulous employee and sold |
| valuable, maybe even more valuable then their | | | | on the open market. Many hospitals and HMO's |
| credit card. When it comes to paying for | | | | are implementing plans to fight Medical ID |
| medical expenses, depending on the limits of | | | | Theft, in the meantime if you want to be sure |
| your policy, a valid Blue Cross Blue Shield | | | | your information has not been hijacked, ask |
| Card can be like holding a platinum Amex Card | | | | you healthcare provider for the most recent |
| with A Million-Dollar credit limit. And if | | | | copy of your medical records, and ensure that |
| you are not aware of this be assured that | | | | all of the procedures, treatments and history |
| thieves and unscrupulous medical providers | | | | of your conditions are indeed yours. Check |
| certainly are. According to Byron Hollis, | | | | all of your bills meticulously and look for |
| The National Anti Fraud Director with the | | | | any fraudulent charges. And protect your |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, "It's | | | | Health Insurance numbers and ID Cards just as |
| an old problem that people are becoming more | | | | you would your credit cards and Social |
| aware of…" According to the World | | | | Security Number. |
| Privacy Forum since 2002 it has received more | | | | |
| than 20,000 complaints of Medical ID theft, | | | | If you suspect you have been a victim of |
| in ever increasing annual numbers. The most | | | | Medical ID Fraud first contact your Insurance |
| obvious way that medical ID theft occurs is | | | | Company and ask to speak directly to their |
| if someone simply steals your insurance card | | | | Anti-Fraud unit, then contact the police, and |
| and begins using it to procure medical | | | | lastly you may want to contact your medical |
| services. This can mount up in a dangerous | | | | provider, but experts agree that since they |
| way, because again, most consumers are just | | | | may be involved in the crime, it is best to |
| not aware how important a lost insurance card | | | | contact them LAST, after the police and your |
| can be, and will not report it immediately | | | | health insurance company so as not to tip the |
| like they will a credit card. As the thief | | | | hand of the possible perpetrator. |
| continues to rack up bills for illegitimate | | | | |