Earlier this year, the Attorney General warned that at least two states in the US experienced an unprecedented healthcare data breach impacting up to 1 in 3 Americans. Although healthcare organizations have gotten much better at detecting these attacks since 2010, hacks remain the leading cause of healthcare data breaches, and healthcare identity theft is a growing concern that impacts providers, administrators, and patients.
This article aims to educate on the risks and signs of healthcare identity theft, offer practical mitigation tactics, and highlight the role of advanced technologies, including voice security, in safeguarding personal and medical information.
Understanding healthcare identity theft
Healthcare identity theft occurs when someone steals or uses another person’s personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, or medical insurance details, to fraudulently obtain medical services or goods. This type of theft can disrupt medical care, result in erroneous medical records, and cause victims financial and emotional distress.
Healthcare fraud impacts consumers because payments are diverted from legitimate claims, resulting in higher premiums for all. According to the Medical Identity Theft Alliance (MIFA), more than 2 million Americans have reported being victims of this escalating crime. That’s why combating healthcare fraud is essential in protecting victims.
5 potential signs your healthcare data has been breached
Recognizing the warning signs of healthcare identity theft is the first step in prevention. In the first half of 2024, more than 31 million Americans were suspected to have been affected by the ten largest health data breaches. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services database, 341 breaches were reported to the Department of Health and Human Services in the first half of the year alone.
Here are potential indicators of healthcare identity theft:
- Billing anomalies: Unexplained charges on medical bills or insurance statements can indicate fraudulent activity.
- Patient information discrepancies: Differences in patient information, such as an incorrect address.
- Suspicious activity: Receiving bills or notices for medical services you have yet to receive is a clear red flag.
- Alerts from external sources: Notifications from credit monitoring services or healthcare providers about potential breaches should be addressed.
- Medical record inconsistencies: Inconsistent medical records, such as treatments or unfamiliar medications, can indicate tampering.
7 ways healthcare companies can protect against identity theft
Healthcare providers can adopt several strategies to prevent identity theft and protect sensitive information. In light of a recent breach, Change Healthcare offered victims two years of free credit monitoring. However, there are things healthcare companies can do in advance to prevent such tampering for individuals.
1. Implementing strong authentication methods
Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) can add an extra layer of security to protect patient information. Pindrop has written the ABCs of multifactor authentication that don’t impact consumers while boosting protection.
2. Enhancing data security measures
Encrypting sensitive data and using secure communication channels helps safeguard information from unauthorized access. Regular audits and assessments can help identify vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, applications, and networks and reveal gaps in security policies and procedures that malicious actors could exploit.
3. Utilizing advanced technology
Deploying technologies that help verify identities more accurately and prevent fraud. AI and ML systems can continuously monitor user activities and data access patterns in real time, identifying deviations from normal behavior that might indicate fraudulent activities. When an anomaly is detected, the system can immediately alert security personnel, enabling swift response to potential threats.
4. Educating patients and staff
Regular training on data security best practices can help patients and staff recognize and avoid potential threats.
5. Monitoring and reporting systems
Implementing systems to monitor and report suspicious activities can help detect and address issues promptly.
6. Enhancing access controls
Restricting access to sensitive information based on role and necessity can minimize the risk of data breaches.
7. Collaborating with third-party security experts
Partnering with cybersecurity experts can provide advanced protection and insight into the latest threats and countermeasures. Through intelligent technology, PindropⓇ Solutions help combat healthcare fraud in several ways and can help healthcare companies prevent identity theft before it starts.
What protecting yourself and your patients looks like
Both patients and healthcare providers play crucial roles in protecting against identity theft. Here’s a detailed look at how each can contribute to safeguarding personal information.
Patient protection
Safeguarding personal information with voice security solutions
Implement voice security solutions to help protect personal information and prevent unauthorized access. These solutions can include voice biometric analysis and authentication systems, helping to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive information. Pindrop’s Deep VoiceⓇ Engine includes voice analysis to help companies protect sensitive information.
Securing communication
Protecting both digital and verbal communications is essential. For digital communication, you can use encrypted messaging and email services to help ensure privacy and security. For verbal communication, only conduct calls over secure channels to prevent eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
Monitoring medical records & insurance statements for discrepancies
Review medical records and insurance statements regularly to catch any inconsistencies early. This proactive approach can help detect identity theft before it causes significant damage.
Leveraging credit report monitoring services
Utilize credit report monitoring services to detect unusual activity that may indicate identity theft. These services provide alerts for suspicious activities, helping you take immediate action if needed.
Provider protection
Preventing voice channel fraud
Implement measures to detect fraud through voice channels. Similarly, for individuals, companies should use secure verification processes such as multi-factor authentication and voice biometric analysis to help authenticate callers.
Secure data storage and access protocols with encryption
To safeguard sensitive information, encrypt all stored data and establish secure access protocols to limit access to sensitive information to authorized personnel only. Use role-based access controls to ensure that individuals can only access the information necessary for their role.
Educating staff on data security best practices
Provide ongoing training to ensure staff know the latest security practices and potential threats. Regular training sessions reinforce the importance of data security and keep staff informed about emerging threats.
Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. These audits help ensure that security measures are up-to-date and effective. Perform vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses in your security systems and take corrective actions to mitigate risks.
By taking these steps, patients and healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of identity theft and ensure the security of sensitive personal information.
Partner with an expert to combat healthcare identity theft
Partnering with security experts can enhance your organization’s defenses against healthcare identity theft. Experts can provide insights into the latest threats, recommend advanced technologies, and help implement robust security measures tailored to your needs.
By understanding the risks and taking proactive measures, healthcare providers can better protect their patients and themselves from the growing threat of healthcare identity theft. Advanced technologies like voice security and technology that help detect healthcare scams play a crucial role in this fight, offering innovative solutions to better protect personal and medical information.
For more information on how to combat healthcare identity theft and protect your organization, visit our resources on healthcare scam calls and voice phishing.
