The Growing Threat of Medical ID Fraud: Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late

Health insurance is meant to provide access to necessary treatments, preventive services, and emergency care, giving individuals and families peace of mind. But as cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, health insurance is increasingly becoming a target for scammers. The consequences of these scams can be devastating, especially for residents of Bergen County, Rockland County, and surrounding areas.

Earlier this year, Change Healthcare, a major provider of health care services, experienced a massive cyber-attack that exposed the information of thousands of health care providers, insurers, and policyholders nationwide. The most alarming part? It’s estimated that nearly 50% of all US medical claims could be at risk due to this breach. To put that into perspective: if you’re sitting in a doctor’s waiting room with nine other people, five of you could fall victim to medical identity theft within the next year.

The Real Consequences of Medical ID Theft

The aftermath of medical ID theft can be overwhelming, especially when personal information is exposed online. Once cybercriminals get hold of your medical data, they can use it to file false insurance claims, buy expensive prescriptions, and even receive medical treatments – all charged to your account. In areas like Bergen and Rockland, where access to top-tier health care is abundant, the impact of stolen medical identities can be devastating.

The worst part is how unsuspecting people discover they’ve been affected. Some victims don’t find out until they’re hit with tax fraud or mortgage fraud. But the most heart-wrenching scenarios happen when people need medical care – only to be denied because their health insurance claims that they’ve exhausted their benefits. Imagine going to your doctor for surgery, only to be told that your insurance won’t cover the procedure because, supposedly, you’ve already undergone multiple treatments this year—but you haven’t had any.

It’s Not Just Individuals at Risk – Scams Target Businesses Too

While individual medical ID theft is a growing concern, businesses in Bergen County and Rockland County are not immune. Manipulative organizations and bad actors can exploit stolen medical information to run fake billing schemes. They submit false claims for medical services you never received, collect the payments, and leave you with the bill.

The scale of this issue is enormous. In July alone, 193 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, were charged with participating in health care fraud schemes that resulted in over $2.75 billion in fraudulent billings to federal health care programs. This shows just how pervasive medical fraud has become.

How to Know If You’re a Victim of Medical ID Theft

Here are 10 key signs that your medical ID might have been stolen:

1. Unexpected Medical Bills: You receive bills for treatments or services you never had.
2. Debt Collection Notices: Debt collectors are contacting you about medical bills that aren’t yours.
3. Errors in Medical Records: Your medical records contain treatments, diagnoses, or prescriptions you never received.
4. Denied Insurance Claims: Your health insurance claims are denied because your benefits have been maxed out—despite you not using those services.
5. Suspicious Alerts from Your Insurance Provider: You’re getting notifications about unfamiliar claims or services.
6. New Accounts in Your Name: You discover new health insurance accounts or medical records under your name that you didn’t create.
7. Discrepancies in Explanation of Benefits (EOB): Your EOB statements list services you didn’t receive or recognize.
8. Difficulty Obtaining Insurance: You’re denied life or health insurance due to medical conditions you don’t have.
9. Calls from Medical Providers: Doctors or medical facilities are calling you about follow-up treatments or appointments you never scheduled.
10. Unfamiliar Prescriptions: You get notices about prescriptions you never authorized or picked up.

How to Protect Yourself From Medical ID Theft in Bergen and Rockland Counties

Don’t let yourself or your loved ones become the next victim of medical identity theft. Here are actionable steps you can take to safeguard your personal health information:

1. Check for Health Care Breaches: Regularly check searchable databases to see if your health care provider has experienced a data breach. Staying informed about potential risks can help you take proactive steps to secure your information.
2. Secure Physical Copies of Your Records: Store paper copies of your medical records in a safe or lockbox. If your health care provider’s digital system is ever compromised, having your own backup records could prove invaluable.
3. Shred Documents: Shred all documents with personal or medical information before discarding them to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Monitor Your Medical Records Regularly: Request copies of your medical records from your health care providers and review them for any unfamiliar treatments, diagnoses, or discrepancies.
5. Review Insurance Bills: Thoroughly review your explanation of benefits (EOB) statements from your insurance provider. Question any unfamiliar charges and report any suspicious activity to your insurer and credit bureaus through IdentityTheft.gov.
6. Dispose of Prescription Labels: Remove labels from empty prescription bottles before discarding them. These labels can contain valuable personal information that can be exploited by identity thieves.
7. Monitor Your Credit Reports: Use AnnualCreditReport.com to access free credit reports three times a year. This will help you spot any suspicious financial activity early on.

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Health Care in Bergen and Rockland Counties

As we’ve seen in incidents like the Change Healthcare breach, health care organizations will continue to be prime targets for cyber-attacks. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, and health insurance providers in Bergen County and Rockland County must stay vigilant in protecting their patients’ data. If your health care provider has experienced a breach, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to protect your identity.

Get Peace of Mind With a FREE Dark Web Scan

Wondering if your personal information has already been compromised? We offer a FREE Dark Web Scan that will quickly determine if your data is being sold on the dark web. Taking action now can help you avoid the devastating consequences of medical ID theft.

To protect yourself and your family, call us at 877-807-1332 or click here to book your FREE Dark Web Scan today. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take control of your medical information now.