My Identity Was Used To Receive Medical Benefits

Medical identity theft occurs when your personal information is used to obtain medical treatment, services or health insurance without your knowledge or consent.

Medical identity theft can be a very dangerous form of identity theft because medical identity theft may cause your medical records to be inaccurate, interfere or prevent you from receiving health insurance benefits and can also rack up medical bills in your name which could have a negative effect on your credit report.

Map of Incidents of Medical ID Theft in the US

This clickable map was created by the World Privacy Forum, leading international experts on Medical Identity Theft.

Click the image to go to World Privacy Forum’s website, where you can view the number of incidents of medical identity theft reported in your area and learn how to get help.

 

If you suspect you are a victim of medical identity theft:

  1. Check your “Explanation of Benefits” from your health insurance company. If you notice there has been coverage for treatment you have not received, notify your insurance company and doctors.
  2. Read A Patient’s Guide to HIPAA, which is a resource created by the World Privacy Forum specifically for consumers. Patients who are concerned about medical identity theft and who may be victims often have many related questions about HIPAA; this Guide is written for them and for anyone who wants to find practical ways of understanding HIPAA and their medical privacy.
  3. Examine your medical records for accuracy from your medical and pharmacy providers. You may make a complaint at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa if your request to review your medical records is refused.
  4. Each year ask your health insurance company for a copy of a listing of benefits that were paid by your insurance policy.
  5. Correct your medical records- You also have rights under federal law that can assist you in correcting inaccurate medical records. Visit www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa or call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services toll-free 1-877-696-6775 for more information. Please be aware that there may be fees for copying and postage if you request copies of your medical records. Please see www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa for more information.
  6. Contact the three credit bureaus

    P.O. Box 740241
    Atlanta, GA 30374
    1-800-525-6285
    www.equifax.com    		 P.O. Box 9554
    Allen, TX 75013
    1-888-397-3742
    www.experian.com    		 P.O. Box 6790
    Fullerton, CA 92834
    1-800-680-7289
    www.transunion.com



  7. File a police report with your local police department
  8. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft. You may also contact the FTC at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

Resources:
Federal Trade Commission, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud http://www.insurancefraud.org/links.htm
World Privacy Forum’s website on Medical Identity Theft.

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