Medical Identity Theft

In Florida, access to quality healthcare is essential. However, healthcare costs are a genuine concern for many individuals. A lack of insurance or medical coverage can lead to costly medical debt for a simple procedure or screening.

Most individuals are aware of identity theft, credit card scams, and other fraudulent measures that criminals take to illegally access personal information. Still, many people may not recognize the extent of the threats disguised as legitimate businesses or medical services targeted to steal identifying information about your health care coverage. Contact the Florida credit report error lawyers at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A.  if you experience medical identity theft.

What is Medical Identity Theft?

States like Florida that attract a robust retirement population also stimulate a thriving medical market to meet residents’ needs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reports Florida as one of the states with the highest total personal health care spending in the U.S. Medical Identity theft occurs when scammers target personal identifying information such as your social security number, insurance information, or Medicare number to submit claims to pay for their healthcare without your permission. 

How Medical Identity Theft Works in Florida

Patients expect to receive scheduling notices, requests for information updates, and other messages from a medical provider through texts or emails. With the click of a button, you are conveniently taken to your healthcare provider’s website to enter the requested information. Criminals recognize the ease of hyperlinks and can target unsuspecting individuals. 

Cybercriminals employ phishing attacks in the form of texts and emails appearing to be from trusted providers or medical entities. They may also call to gain access to information from you directly. Ultimately, you lose the information you provide to medical identity theft. 

Clicking on these hyperlinks may also allow malware to install on your device without your knowledge. Installing malware will enable criminals to steal data such as passwords and login information. Social security numbers, Medicare and Medicaid IDs, and supplemental policy information become accessible in medical identity theft schemes.

The Danger of Medical Identity Theft to Your Health

Ultimately, these attacks and an increased risk of identity fraud in Florida can prevent you from receiving necessary medical care. Distinguishing between personal health records and those that belong to someone using your information through medical identity theft can lead to challenges in healthcare. When an emergency strikes, doctors may rely on your medical records for critical treatment information. Accessing the records of cyber criminals using your information to receive care can lead to you receiving devastating treatments or the administration of harmful medications. 

Using your identifying information, it is also possible to build up medical debt for procedures performed on cyber criminals. It is unlikely that a medical ID theft criminal will pay the balances for services rendered through your healthcare coverage. Unpaid medical bills may create unexpected medical debt, impacting your credit rating. Contacting a Florida credit report error lawyer with our firm gives you access to a trusted legal advocate who can assist with addressing credit report issues, allowing you to rebuild your credit score. 

What are the Signs of Medical Identity Theft?

Medical ID theft can go unnoticed for some time. Often, significant costs to you begin to add up, or you need medical attention before you realize that you or a loved one is victimized by medical identity theft. Start immediately addressing credit report errors and identity theft by contacting the team at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. to schedule a free consultation. Learn more by accessing our video library addressing credit repair and identity theft. 

Signs of medical identity theft may include:

• Calls from collection agencies about unknown medical bills
• Invoices for procedures or paperwork regarding medical care you did not receive
• Denial of medical treatment because of a diagnosed medical condition you know nothing about
• Your credit report shows medical debt collection unrelated to any care you received
• You unexpectedly meet your benefits limits 

Finding someone who will assist with sorting through discrepancies, answering your questions, and finding solutions may feel impossible. However, by applying federal law and addressing reporting inaccuracies by credit reporting bureaus through legal action, we will strive to get you back on track financially. Learn more about our firm and the steps we take to address credit repair and identity theft. 

Protecting Against Medical Identity Theft in Florida

In addition to contacting us to schedule a free initial consultation and take legal action against a bureau’s inaccurate credit reporting or a company whose negligence enabled your stolen identity, you can also take these steps. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission for identity theft. Contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) for medical identity theft involving Medicare. To better protect against Florida medical identity theft, take these additional steps.

Keep Your Personal Information Safe

Prescription medication bottles, billing statements, health insurance forms, and various documents contain information about you that a medical ID thief can benefit from. Your health insurance information is as significant to your identity as your social security number. Unless essential, do not share it with anyone, including friends and family. 

Review Your Medical Records

A healthcare provider can provide access your documents, allowing you to note any care or procedures you do not recognize. Medical records are often available online in a patient chart from your provider. Any suspicious financial activity should prompt a review of your documents. Contact your provider in writing concerning errors and follow up.

Destroy Unnecessary Documents

It may not be necessary to keep all documents indefinitely. When you know you no longer need them, it is best to get rid of the information. Buy an inexpensive paper shredder or completely mark through sensitive information.

Check Your Credit Score and Report

Monitoring your credit score may be possible through your financial institution. The three consumer reporting agencies also offer free credit reports.

Is Medical Identity Theft Impacting You or Someone You Love?

Medical Identity Theft can impact your ability to access healthcare while causing profound medical debt for services you did not receive. Contact Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. to schedule a free consultation today about medical identity theft.