Preventing Medical Fraud and Identity Theft

February 2018

Gloved hand holding stolen driver's license, social security and health ID cards

You can help your patients protect their health and avoid health care fraud or abuse. If your patient reports their member ID has been lost or stolen, here are some ways to assist them:
 
  1. Check medical records to make sure they match the patient’s condition. Give them a copy of the records if needed.

  2. Run a CURES report on the patient to check for controlled substances that you may not have prescribed. The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURE) is available at the Office of the California Attorney General.

  3. Advise your patients to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They can do so at the FTC Identity Theft site. The patient will be given an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, which they should print out and save. Patients can also call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338. 

  4. Advise your patients to file a report with their local police department. 

  5. Recommend that patients place a fraud alert with one of the three (3) credit bureaus. The fraud alert service is free and will help protect your patients from future abuse. When calling, the patient should ask for a copy of their credit report and check it closely.

To learn more about how to protect your patients and yourself from identity theft, and what actions victims of identity theft should take, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website.