Medical identity theft...PODay 141

We hear it nearly every night on the news, another big company was hacked and personal information, usually of the financial kind, has been stolen. It's bad enough when this kind of theft impacts our financial well-being but what if it threatens our physical safety?

Community Health System of Tennessee was the victim of cyber attacks in April and June of 2014. The healthcare company operates 206 hospitals in 29 states and the loss of private data affected 4.5 million patients. The company reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that they believe the attack originated in China. Only names, addresses, birth dates, and social security numbers were stolen. Only! The information was transferred out of the country, they believe.

Are these attacks little test runs to see if it can be done? Are they tweaking the security systems supposedly protecting our personal information? Is there some nefarious foreign plot afoot?

Perhaps the greatest risk is right here at home. Over fifty percent of identity theft is by a relative or acquaintance who is uninsured and hopes to steal your identity, your insurance coverage, to pay for their treatment or operation. That is why, now, when you show up at a doctor's office or the hospital you must present your insurance cards and a photo ID. Let's hope "your" thief does not look like you! If he does, there is a good chance he will get away with it.

Basic stolen data used to sell for a modest $20.00 per victim. But a fine tuned package of data that includes not only your name, address, SS number and birthdate but also your diagnosis, medications you take, allergies, insurance coverage and more, can sell for upwards of $1500.00 if packaged right. To the computer world you are a customer just waiting to be enticed into buying the newest drug, insurance coverage, or week at a spa retreat. Your identity can create a real person to go with that fake passport or counterfeit insurance card. Or, when coupled with your diagnosis and insurance information, medical supplies can be ordered and charged to your provider, then sold at the weekend flea market. There are as many ways to make money from your exposure as there are victims.

I'm wondering...if they steal my identity, do the get my aches and pains too? Only seems fair.

Archive timeline: 2014: May and June - preparing for surgery, July - surgery and post op problems, August - recovery and physical therapy, September - thinking medically, Octob