AHCU Blog

Today, your medical records and personal information are typically shared across massive insurance and healthcare provider networks. Digital records are more efficient and accurate -- two big bonuses for patients.

Yet these improvements come with a price -- new security concerns. Now that our medical data is out there, it's a tempting target for sophisticated hackers.

Given the very sensitive nature of medical information, that's a serious cause for concern. And given the number of recent large-scale data breaches, that concern seems well founded.

Preventing Medical Identity Theft

Since the beginning of 2015, roughly 100 million people have been affected by medical data breaches. That's hardly uncommon; statistics show that the healthcare industry is the number one target of hackers.

Medical records are great targets for hackers to mine. They offer a detailed mix of personal, financial, and health information. This data can be used to steal money, or, in some cases, to even pursue medical treatment in someone else's name.

It's important to realize this is no small potatoes endeavor. Large collectives of clever hackers are systematically targeting the healthcare industry because this treasure trove of information is so valuable. Once stolen, your data is sold on the secondary market for significant sums of money.

After that, all bets are off.

Because the healthcare industry was among the last to fully digitize (due to its complexity and lingering privacy issues), it has some of the newest and most vulnerable security infrastructures.

That means it's important that you do everything you can to help safeguard your data.

Let's review a few basic steps to take:

• Request copies of your medical records from your physician or insurer
• Review these records for discrepancies or inaccuracies
• Keep a close eye on your credit report
• If you use a credit monitoring service, include health care procedures among the activities watched
• Only give out sensitive information (such as your Social Security number) when absolutely necessary
• Please pay close attention to your explanation of benefits and mailed correspondence and check them for irregularities

The Risks of Inaction

Medical identity theft is perhaps the most dangerous online data crime. Should someone steal your information and seek medical treatment in your name, the risks go well beyond financial concerns. Your medical records may become intermingled with the records of your identity thief -- a scenario that could cause untold chaos the next time you need medical attention or prescription medication.

Given the alarming frequency of medical data breaches, it's essential that you give strong consideration to the steps listed above. By doing so, you lower the risk of suffering a potentially devastating personal attack.