HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Medical Identity Theft

What is Medical Identity Theft?

Medical Identity Theft happens when someone steals your personal information (insurance card or Social Security number). People do this to:

Medical Identity Theft can harm your finances or health in many ways:

You may be billed for medical care and supplies that you never received.
It can impact your health care if someone uses your identity to get care.
That person's information may go in your medical record, which could cause problems with your own healthcare.
Sometimes people want to help a loved one by sharing their medical identity to help them get medical care, prescriptions, or to avoid medical costs. Please do not do this, instead, call our Insurance Access Line at: 216-983-1500.

Protect your medical information.

Never let anyone user your Medicare, insurance, Social Security number, or use your identity.
If medical services are offered for free, do not provide any insurance information.
Never give out your Medicare, insurance, or Social Security number, or other medical information to anyone over the phone or by email. Only give out this information if you know it is your provider or doctor's office.
Scam Alert: If someone calls saying they are from the Social Security Administration or any insurance company, DO NOT give out any medically identifiable information.

Keep an eye out for any strange charges or changes in your credit rating.

Check your credit report regularly to make sure there is nothing strange or unexpected.
Check all of your medical bills carefully for unusual charges. If there are any strange charges contact your health care provider and verify that this information is not a mistake.
Read any collection notice that you might receive. Do not ignore these and assume there was a mistake.

If you believe your Medical Identity has been stolen, or if you have any questions please call the UH Compliance & Ethics Department: 216-286-6362.