Data breeches, mismanagement of files, lost hard drives, health plans are more at risk, not just hospitals for identity theft. Last month, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee revealed that up to 1 million patients could be impacted by the theft of 57 computer hard drives that were encoded but not encrypted.
Read article by Caralyn Davis at: http://www.fiercehealthpayer.com/story/data-breaches-another-opportunity-bad-publicity/2010-05-17?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal#ixzz0oEOm6c5P

With false billings to Medicare totaling about 1.6 million dollars, Dr. Seth Yoser is still practicing medicine. You see a criminal conviction or arrest does not begin an action against the health professional’s license. Dr. Yoser pleased guilty to 35 counts of federal fraud charges in July and is still waiting sentencing. Another reason to always check the license of your physician on a regular basis. Read article at Memphis Daily News: http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=47751.

Earlier this year, HHS and the Department of Justice created a new Health Care Fraud Preventing and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT). The program expands existing DOJ-HHS Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams that focus on data analysis to track fraud. Also new is a requirement that DME suppliers except pharmacies be certified by CMS in order to reduce fraud.

The OIG has also launched an online consumer program, http://www.StopMedicareFraud.gov/, to combat medical identity theft. The website and printed materials offer tips on how to recognize medical identity theft and what to do if it happens. Common scams include offering free services, groceries, transportation, or other items in exchange for Medicare numbers, as well as telephone surveyors or marketers who ask for Medicare numbers as an identifier.

For those of you who have heard me speak on Medical Identity Theft, and how Pharmacies and specialty drugs are a target not only for health care fraud but identity theft, read this article at BaltimoreOnline. What the thieves do with your information you might throw in the trash: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100106/NEWS01/1060325/ID-thieves-target-pharmacies-trash

Depart of Justice is making Health Care Fraud a top priority with settlements and judgments added up to $1.6 billion, $867 million of which came from settlements with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Read more at Fierce Healthcare Daily News: http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/false-claims-prosecutions-focused-healthcare/2009-12-14?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal

View this slide show to see why the False Claims Act is so worthwhile & the importance of whistle blowers. The money returned has been enormous. http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/5-fiercest-false-claims-act-payouts-healthcare/2009-11-03?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal.
The Identity Advocate at your service