November 2009
Help prevent medical identity theft
Health care member card fraud is on the increase and we urge you to take some simple precautions:
- Photocopy the front and back of each patient's (or their guardian's) member card and driver's license at every visit.
- Take a digital photo of each patient when he or she checks in for their first visit. Include it as part of his or her permanent electronic record. Then refer to the picture each time that patient checks in.
Every year, many cases of identity fraud involving member cards that are misplaced, stolen or loaned to an acquaintance occur. Theft can also happen when a perpetrator writes down a member's information and presents it as his or her own at the time of service.
These activities can seriously impact a member's lifetime benefit maximum and can add medical diagnoses to his or her records, negatively impacting his or her lifetime medical histories. When such cases of fraud are discovered, we will seek reimbursement from providers.
According to the World Privacy Forum, insurance fraud affects more than three million members every year and costs the health care industry in excess of $68 million.
Please take the necessary steps today to protect your practice.