Health Briefs TV Offers Insight into Medical Record Hacking

Medical record cyber hacking has become more prevalent than credit card data theft. Health Briefs TV offers insight into this type of data theft.

As recently as the first week of June 2015, a major U.S. government agency announced its database of personnel had been hacked by cyber thieves.  Security analysts believe the hackers were after the medical records of millions of government employees. Reasoning behind this thought is that medical information is possibly worth 10 times more than a credit card number.

Personal medical information can be used to create fake IDs in which the thieves use to buy medical equipment or drugs which are then resold. It is also speculated that they can also create a fake medical file using a combination of patient number, false provider number and fake made-up claims with insurers. They can then file false claims and collect money from it. 

Health Briefs TV learns that through a survey from a leading think-tank that more than 90 percent of healthcare organizations they surveyed had lost data –most to hackers.  Personal medical data is more valuable to hackers and their back-end buyers than credit card data, since the latter has flooded the underground market. 

Consumers should scour any health claim forms which come in regular mail or email to be sure there are no fraudulent charges on them. If something looks suspicious, contact the insurance company immediately. Make a copy of the claim or invoice and require the insurance provider to clear any fake charges and send confirmation.  Vigilance is the keyword in these times of digital record keeping for consumers and health care providers and insurers alike.

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Health Briefs on Medical Identity Theft and Why We Need to Pay Attention

There has been a 91 percent increase in the number of medical identity theft cases in the last year alone. Health Briefs examines the issue and offers prevention tips for consumers in North America.

Health care agencies including the insurance companies lag far behind the credit card, financial and large discount store companies when it comes to protecting a consumer’s personal data. And unlike credit card companies, there is no way for a consumer to know someone stole their medical data and used it to obtain health services.  Medical ID thieves can get health insurance in your name, obtain prescriptions, even check into the hospital to give birth or have surgery. The only way a person will know this happened is if they get a bill from a collector. So how can the average consumer who goes to the doctor, gets tests done in clinics and hospitals and may be admitted to a hospital prevent this from happening?

Health Briefs suggests only writing the last four digits of your Social Security Number on any form.  Don’t share any medical or healthcare information, such as insurance info via telephone or email unless you know without any doubt who is asking. Shred old healthcare forms, old prescription slips, doctor bills, etc and store current ones in a safe place. Know your rights and find out why a website is asking for this info, how it will be kept safe, whether it will be shared, and with whom. Read the Privacy Policy on the website. Look for the lock and key symbol to be sure the website is safe and secure. If in doubt, don’t offer any information. 

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Visit Health Briefs on Google+
Watch Heath Briefs videos on Youtube
View Heath Briefs Blogs