Medial Insurance Policies and Medical Id Fraud

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