Medical identity theft a rising concern – report

Millions of Americans have been victims of medical identity theft, and the risk is only rising, a newly released study indicates. Such fraud is much more costly than standard identity theft – and could have long-term and potentially lethal consequences.

The compromising of healthcare records often results in costly billing disputes. However, it could also lead to misdiagnosis, delays in treatment, wrong treatment or the wrong drugs being prescribed.

In addition, the thieves’ preference for Social Security numbers and income data over easily corrected credit card records spells identity theft trouble in the longer term.

The study found that healthcare providers and insurers rarely informed victims about such theft. Only 10 percent of the respondents managed to successfully resolve the problem, at a great expense of money and time. The study suggests that 65 percent of medical identity theft victims had to pay an average of $13,500 to resolve the crime .... http://rt.com/usa