• Identify: Be alert for suspicious documents or personal identifying information that appear to be altered or are inconsistent when compared to other information provided by the customer.
• Detect: Obtain and verify identification when making changes to account information.
• Prevent: When the risk of identity theft is suspected, take steps to prevent further incident.
• Update: Periodically evaluate your program and make necessary changes.

1. View the medical records to identify any inconsistencies in the patient chart when compared to other dates of service. Verify the identification cards received and compare them against each other. If the patient's height or weight do not match or any other identifying characteristics, this is a clue that there may be foul play. Be sure to remove the incorrect information from the patient's account including diagnosis, procedures and charges to ensure accuracy.
2. For any debts associated with the identity theft, you may not report this debt to credit reporting companies. Medical identity theft should be reported to the police.
3. Ensure your data security practices are compliant with the information safeguard provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. Patient information should be secured and protected from data breaches.
4. If a breach occurs, be sure to notify patients of the data breach as required by the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule or as mandated by state law.

It is very important to get a copy of a patient's insurance and identification cards each and every time they present for services. This will help to prevent instances of fraud.