Massachusetts General Hospital Taking Steps to Prevent Medical ID Theft

I recently got an email from my primary care physician telling me I will need to bring my photo ID when checking in for appointments. Massachusetts General Hospital is trying to combat the ever growing problem of medical identity theft. As you may have heard or read recently, medical identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Medical identity theft occurs when someone comes to the hospital and uses someone else’s identity to get care.

When someone users your identity to get medical care it can result in huge bills sent to you, which could impact your credit score. Beyond the financial concerns of medical ID theft, it can also pose a threat to your health. In the email sent to me, Mass General addresses this: “Often it means the hospital is making patient care decisions based on information belonging to someone else which can be medically dangerous. For example, allergies can be missed or the incorrect blood type considered during treatment. This also means insurance claims can be filed for the wrong patient, which can have serious financial repercussions for the victim.”

Now, just if we could the laws changed so you need a photo ID when voting….

Related posts:

1. Ceremony Marks Closing of Walter Reed Hospital
2. MA Medical Company Licenses Technology that can Predict Heart Attacks
3. Ballet Questions Could Change the Fate of Health Care in Massachusetts
4. MA Company Helps Make Patient Records More Secure; Lands Big Contract Overseas
5. Study: Medicare Drug Plan Saves Hospital Costs

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Posted by jcashman on Sep 6 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry