FTC

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The is requiring health care providers and many othed businesses to identify and respon dto “red flags” of identity theft. So, if a medical practicd determines that fraudulent use ofsomeones else’s health insurance card is a potentiapl problem, checking photo ID might be a way to respondx through the so-called Red Flags Rule, mandatec by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003.
Any businesxs that regularly defers paymentse for goods and services or arranges for the extensiojn of credit is subject to the including retailers, phone companies and According to FTC guidance for healtuh care providers: “You are a creditor if you regularlyu bill patients after the completion of services, including for the remainded of medical fees not reimbursed by insurance.” Providerw also are covered if they establish paymen t plans. The argues that the medical community alreadyg guards against identify theft througjh the privacy and security mandates of the Health Insurance Portability andAccountabilityh Act, or HIPAA.
The FTC contend that the Red Flags Rule complementsx HIPPA byensuring that, if records are stolen, no one can use a fals e identity. According to the FTC, businessesx covered by the rule mustdevelol “reasonable policies and procedures” to detect and respond to red Businesses also must address how they will stay currenr with the ever-changing threat of identifyg theft. Noncompliance can lead to a fine of as muchas $3,50o0 a violation. lawyer Martie Ross said the Red Flags Rule mandatees sensible safeguards for a significanr threat to healthcare providers. “This is good business practice, is what it is,” Ross said. Dr.
Ted president of the Leawood-based , “I think it’s an important thingv to do,” Epperly said.