By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    An Expert’s Guide To Building and Improving Endurance
    June 30, 2022
    medical assistants
    What Do Medical Assistants Do On a Day to Day Basis?
    April 5, 2022
    superfoods to help with prostate health
    10 Healthy Foods That Can Help Protect Your Prostate
    August 29, 2022
    Latest News
    Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
    July 20, 2025
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    pfizer and clinical data transparency
    Pfizer to Expand Clinical Trial Data Access, Takes Step Toward Transparency
    December 6, 2013
    Improving Healthcare Services And Management Through Tech Integration
    June 9, 2020
    obamacare and the uninsured
    Why Hospitals Are Still Gouging the Uninsured
    January 7, 2014
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Medical Identity Theft: How It Could Get You Killed
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Medical Records > Medical Identity Theft: How It Could Get You Killed
Medical Records

Medical Identity Theft: How It Could Get You Killed

Phil Cohen
Phil Cohen
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

When considering identity theft, most people worry about getting their credit card information or social security number stolen. However, these are not the only types of identity theft you need to watch out for. Medical identity theft is on the rise, and it can be hazardous to your health.

Contents
What is Medical Identity Theft?How Can This Hurt Me?Who Gets the Bill?How do Others Get My Info?How Can I Protect Myself?

What is Medical Identity Theft?

Medical identity theft is what happens when someone other than you uses your name and other personally identifying information to seek medical treatment. This problem is rapidly growing, but too few people are aware that it is even something to be concerned about. In fact, one study shows that it has risen at least 20 percent in the last year. In many places, medical records are becoming more valuable to criminals than social security numbers and credit card records. This personally identifying information gets sold, allowing others to masquerade as you while seeking medical care.

How Can This Hurt Me?

Whether you are currently ill or not, medical identity theft can hurt you in many ways. If you get injured or need a blood transfusion for any reason, the doctors are going to consult your medical chart. If you have been the victim of medical identity theft, the blood type on your chart may not match what’s in your body. This can cause a severe reaction and can even lead to your death. Do you have any allergies? If these have been incorrectly documented in your file, you could easily end up getting incorrect medication, making you even more sick or leading to other complications. If any complications arise then consulting a medical malpractice lawyer is essential, remember a lawyer who deals with personal injury might not necessarily deal with malpractice lawsuits.

Who Gets the Bill?

One of the main reasons that this practice is growing is because of the rising cost of medical care. Those who can’t afford medical treatment are able to attain personally identifying information, allowing them to get the treatment they need on your tab. If you receive a medical bill that you don’t recognize, it is likely that you have been a victim of medical identity theft. It’s important that you don’t ignore these bills, however. Call the hospital or clinic that sent the bill to try to straighten out the problem. Otherwise, the theft will end up affecting your credit, causing you further harm. Consulting a lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice might also be a good idea as getting the bill for a procedure that you didn’t need or want that could have hurt you is ridiculous.

More Read

transparent payment systems for patient engagement
Can I Have My Receipt? Transparent Payment Systems Ignite Patient Engagement
Could Underperforming EHRs Be Responsible for the Meaningful Use Dropout Rate?
Dissatisfaction with Billing Companies Starts with Lack of Clarity of What is Expected
Engagement: Finding the Healthy Mix
Congress Getting Serious about Telemedicine: Are CDOs Ready?

How do Others Get My Info?

Strangely enough, not all medical identity theft comes unannounced. In fact, about a third of the time, this crime is brought upon by the victims themselves. When a family member or friend is in need of medical care, some reported victims of this theft actually admit to giving the perpetrator their information. This is usually to help the sick or injured party get the medical care they need. However, it is a dangerous practice.

In addition to this, medical identity theft happens in much the same way that traditional identity theft happens. From hacked computers to giving out the information yourself unwittingly, criminals are able to get your medical information with your social security number, name, and address. This information can also be obtained by identifying paperwork that is thrown away carelessly. Criminals are then able to take that information and sell it to others who need medical help, but don’t have the means to pay for it.

How Can I Protect Myself?

Make sure that you are checking your credit report regularly. In addition to this, get your benefits request each year. This will allow you to take a look and ensure that nothing strange is being reported. Getting a copy of your medical records can also help ensure that nothing is being reported wrong. Be careful about who you give your social security number and address to. Make sure that you safeguard any medical billing information by shredding it before you throw it out.

While many people don’t yet know about medical identity theft, it is something that everyone should be on the lookout for. Keep your medical information secure and correct, or it could easily end up costing you your life.

TAGGED:medical identity theft
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

botox certification
Help Improve People’s Skin Health Via Botox Certification
Skin Specialties
July 22, 2025
Telemedicine Apps
Why Custom Telemedicine Apps Outperform Off‑the‑Shelf Solutions
Health
July 20, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

EHR Interoperability: Let’s Stop Beating a Dead Drum

April 29, 2015

Obamacare “Is a Hacker’s Dream”

November 1, 2013

Improving Clinical Workflow, Physician Satisfaction with Health IT

May 30, 2014

Dramatic Early Clinical Trial Success for New Cancer Treatment

March 14, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?