Security Of Medical Identity Theft In Medical Records

Security of Medical Information
Shelia Quinn
Keiser University
Eghosa Ugboma
Management Information Systems MAN562
December 3, 2012

Abstract
Much of the knowledge stolen in an organization takes the form of tacit knowledge that is used regularly but not necessarily in a conscious fashion. This paper covers what is in the medical records, what is not covered by HIPPA, what constitutes fraud and abuse, who has access, how to protect records, how patients get access to records, what rules and laws apply, and how to protect/secure electronic health records. Identity theft is discussed and what patients need to do to prevent it from happening. There are penalties and fines for computer fraud and abuse. Employee internet
Mancilla and Moczygemba (2009) state, “ Medical identity theft is defined as “when someone uses an individual’s identifying information…without the individual’s knowledge or permission, to obtain medical services…by falsifying claims for medical services and falsifying medical records to support those claims” (para. 2). Healthcare providers must make consumers aware that there is identity theft going on for the purpose of stealing their medical information for fraudulent medical care and medical claims. There are some steps on how to avoid being a victim. MIB Group (2012) states, “While theft of your identity would likely impact your credit and run up some medical bills for uncovered services or co-pays in your name, it could also result in the addition of erroneous data into your medical file”(para. 2). Identity theft is not just stolen credit card numbers anymore. Thieves are stealing complete identities of other people. They are stealing medical record information such as insurance identification numbers. They are using this information for themselves to get medical work done and to make false medical claims and get paid for them. This causes financial issues for the victims and it could cause them to get false medical results which could affect their medical treatment. Patients need to guard their insurance identification numbers. Patients should contact their physicians if they
Medical identity theft is on the rise. In order to identify why this is happening online surveys, telephone interviews, and on-site observations were conducted. The results of these studies show which identification procedures need to be upgraded and who is responsible for making sure patients are identified. There are programs for the computer that can be purchased for the purpose of identifying patients and also retraining of the staff members that can be done to help prevent medical identity theft. Online survey results showed that when patients register online that 91.9% of reporting facilities asked for identification when the person came to the facility to be admitted. When a patient shows up with no identification 59.5% of reporting facilities said they still saw the patient. No one surveyed used a biometric identifier. Telephone interview results showed that emergency rooms show the greatest amount of identity theft due to the fact that they are required to provide emergency treatment in most situations regardless of identification. Mancilla and Moczygemba (2009) state, “The one consumer who was not asked to produce a photographic identification was known to the admission associate from a previous healthcare registration” (para. 24). It is important for patients and health care providers to understand what identity theft entails. Patients need to understand when