Patient Identity Theft: Protecting Patients Means Protecting Their Information

In 2016 alone, one in three patient medical records was compromised nationwide. Patient Protected Health Information (PHI) is used on the black market to obtain drugs, commit insurance fraud, or obtain medical care.

According to the FBI, stolen PHI now brings $60-$70 per patient on the black market and is worth more to hackers than social security numbers security numbers or credit cards. More than $30 billion per year is lost in the healthcare industry due to patient identity theft. Patients who have their identity stolen spend an average of $13,500 out of pocket to resolve theft issues.

Prevent loss of patient information and be aware of patients presenting with identities that don’t add up!

Questions? Call your ACO Compliance Team at (540) 245-7455 or message sjones1@augustahealth.com.