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Medical Identity Theft on the Rise

Lauren Brown
Eyewitness News Reporter

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WRCB) - Like other versions of identity theft medical identity theft causes severe financial problems and big headaches.

Medical identity theft doesn't just do a number on your credit report it can also leave potentially deadly information in your medical file!

Each time you visit a doctor's office or a hospital you're sharing personal health information that's supposed to between you and your doctor.

The records are private, but what if your information got into the wrong hands.

"There's been a certain amount of people trying to get services that they're not entitled to for sometime," said Wayne Wilson.

Wayne Wilson is the Corporate Privacy and Security Officer at Erlanger he's seen medical identity theft happen at his hospital and knows just how serious it is.

"Doctors and nurses may think you've had something done in the past that you may not have had done. They may qualify, they document your blood type as being something different than it is and that can cause you to have a negative reaction," said Wilson.

Bottom line, be aware.   Always keep a good eye on your medical information because medical identity theft continues to increase.

According to the World Privacy forum in the past four years the number of Americans affected by it has more than tripled from a quarter of a million.

Wilson says the increase in theft could be related to the economy but there are no statistics yet to back it up still this hospital is tracking it now more than ever.

But as to why someone would steal your medical identity.

"Probably they need medical services for which they're not covered and cannot pay," said Wilson.

If you're concerned about medical identity theft, watch for red flags. Including receiving a notice for an unpaid bill.  If you do receive one, contact your doctor and insurance provider immediately.

But keep in mind, there are ways to help protect your medical identity.   Make sure to shred documents with your personal information and keep your social security card hidden.