Protecting Your Medical Information From Health Care Fraud Schemes

dreamstime_xxl_15160151Protecting your personal information is an endeavor that becomes increasingly difficult as technology advances and criminals invent new ways to access your sensitive documents and information stored online. We’re all too familiar with white collar crimes such as identity theft and credit card fraud, but these are not the only schemes you must protect yourself from. Health care fraud schemes result in tens of billions of dollars of losses every year. Use these tips to help protect your information from health care fraud:

  1. Be Cautious When Sharing

It’s never a good idea to indiscriminately share your personal information with others, and your insurance and benefit information is no exception. Keep track of your insurance cards, and only share the information presented on them when it’s legitimately necessary. Be wary of requests to see your insurance or benefit information for free services.

  1. Be Cautious When Receiving

If you’ve ordered medical supplies only to find that what you received is not what you ordered, fraud may be at work. Keep track of what supplies you’re expecting, and take note of it if what arrives seems cheaper than what you expected or is simply incorrect.

  1. Be Cautious When Visiting

Be sure to keep your head on the swivel whenever you go someplace new for health care services. The facility missing some of the typical medical equipment found in similar offices or the staff failing to perform any of the standard health checks (such as taking your blood pressure or temperature) are both indications of a health care fraud scheme.

If you’re facing a health care fraud or other white collar crime charge in the Newark area, contact the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot. We’d be happy to discuss your case with you.