For many, the idea of someone usurping your identity to claim it as their own can be incredibly violating. However, while you may assume this kind of theft is limited to opening credit cards or taking out loans, you may be shocked to discover that there are a number of different kinds of identity theft. Unfortunately, one of the most impactful, though not as common, is medical identity theft. If you are impacted by this matter, you’ll want to keep reading to learn the importance of reporting the fraud, disputing inaccurate records, and contacting your insurance company to prevent continued fraud. The following blog explores what you should know if someone has used your information for medical care and the importance of working with a Michigan identity theft lawyer to help you recover.
What Is Medical Identity Theft?
Medical identity theft is a form of identity theft that occurs when someone uses your personal information to receive medical benefits. Generally, this can be using your details to obtain medical care, submitting a claim to your insurance, purchasing medical devices, or obtaining prescription refills.
Unfortunately, this kind of theft can have a considerable impact on those seeking health care in Michigan, as not only can you endure changes in credit score for unpaid medical bills, but victims could also face serious health consequences.
How Medical Identity Theft Can Impact You
- Unpaid medical bills that are sent to collections
- Damage to your credit score as a result of fraudulent charges
- Exhausted health insurance benefits before you even receive care
- Potential denial of future care
- Incorrect medical records can impact treatment decisions
If an identity thief receives medical care under your name, incorrect information may be added to your patient chart that can impact the future care you receive.
How Does Medical Identity Theft Happen in Michigan?
Understanding how medical identity theft occurs can help you prevent future incidents and better protect your sensitive information.
Common Causes of Medical Identity Theft
- Data breaches impacting medical providers and health insurance companies
- Phishing scams targeting personal and insurance information
- Insider thieves, like employees who have access to sensitive information
- Physical document, mail, or insurance card theft
What Are the Signs of Medical Identity Theft in Michigan?
It’s imperative to understand the signs that you may be a victim of identity theft so you can take immediate action to try to minimize the impact that this can have on your life, health, and benefits. The sooner you take action, the better.
Common Warning Signs
- Receiving bills for medical services you did not obtain
- Hitting your benefit limit much earlier than usual without an increase in your own care
- Receiving calls from providers you’ve never seen
- Phone calls from debt collectors regarding outstanding balances
What Steps Can I Take if I’m Impacted?
If you’ve discovered that someone has used your information to obtain medical care, it can be incredibly upsetting. Not only is it unnerving to know that someone has access to your information and went so far as to pretend to be you, but you may find that there are significant issues that can arise, as discussed above. If you are a victim of medical identity theft in Michigan, taking immediate action is critical to protecting your health and correcting your medical records.
Immediate Actions to Take
- Contact your health insurance provider’s fraud department immediately
- Request your account to be flagged or frozen while the investigation is ongoing
- Gather key documents, like an explanation of benefits and your medical records
- Submit a formal fraud report and dispute the unauthorized charges
- Request a new insurance policy number to prevent continued fraud
How to Correct Your Medical Records
- Request copies of your medical records from impacted providers
- Identify and highlight all incorrect entries
- Submit a written dispute explaining the incorrect information and requesting corrections
- Provide documentation to support claims of identity theft
- Follow up with all impacted providers to ensure corrections are implemented to protect your health
Are You Liable for Charges Caused by Medical Identity Theft?
For victims of identity theft in Michigan, one of the most pressing questions is whether or not they are liable for fraudulent charges. In general, victims of medical identity theft will not be held liable for the fraudulent charges, but it can take a considerable amount of time to resolve these disputes, often requiring legal assistance. In Michigan, victims may also have rights under federal laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to access and correct inaccurate medical records.
Understanding Your Rights as a Victim
- You have the right to dispute medical charges
- You can request corrections for inaccurate medical records
- You can dispute incorrect debt collection efforts
- You may have legal remedies if a third party fails to protect your data
Connect With Our Consumer Defense Attorneys Today
At Lyngklip & Associates, we understand how complicated these matters can be to navigate on your own. That’s why our firm is committed to assisting you during this process to help you fight for the best possible outcome. When you are in need of legal guidance, do not hesitate to contact our firm today.
