Identity Theft, Insurance Card?

When you think about identity theft most people think bank
information or credit cards but never let it cross their mind
about their medical insurance card. Like me most people always
carry their medical card in their wallet.

If your wallet gets lost or stolen the first thing you do is
cancel or report it to your credit card provider and your bank.

Now that identity theft has risen we all have to be more careful
with every piece of personal information we have about ourselves
and this includes our medical card.

You may not know that someone has used your medical information
until you get that notice from a collection agency asking for
payment in full. Just stop and think about how many have access
to that information especially your family members or even close
friends.

The medical industry is different from the financial industry.
They often limit their exposure. So find out what you’re liable
for if your medical identity is stolen. Some companies cap your
liability, but others don’t.

Survey respondents claimed that on average it took about one year
and sometimes longer to resolve the theft.

Here are some useful tips to avoid being a victim of medical
identity theft:

*When the explanation of benefits arrive from your insurance
company,read them over. Make sure that the services provided
were those you actually got.
*If you see unfamiliar ones, “that’s a big red flag,”
(Call the insurance company immediately. The quicker you take
action, the quicker you can cut it off.
*Don’t share your insurance information with anyone other than
your doctor.
*Put your insurance card in a locked drawer at home, taking it
out only on the day of a doctor visit.
Be safe, Do leave home without it!