Posted on Monday, March 30, 2015

Is Your Health Information Being Hacked?

The short answer is “yes – it’s likely.” This was the discussion I had last week with my daughter. After the major Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance data breach among others, many people are concerned.

My daughter, who just started a new job, got a notice from her employer that she was one of the 80 million people who had their health information hacked in February of this year. She was understandably very concerned.

So what should you do when you become aware that your information is hacked?

If you notice something suspicious, notify your healthcare provider or insurance company immediately.
If your healthcare provider or insurance company tells you your information has been compromised, it’s likely that they will provide you with identity theft coverage. If not, ask for it.
Monitor your financial information and immediately report any strange charges.

In the case of the Anthem BCBS breach, BCBS provided 2 years of identity theft repair assistance, credit monitoring, and identity theft insurance to all the people affected by the breach.

One of the areas to pay attention to is your tax returns. For some of the BCBS customers who were hacked, the hackers filed fraudulent tax returns using the stolen information. When the person went to file their taxes, they were informed that they had already filed and received a refund.

Tell us whether you are concerned about hacking of your health information. We’d love to hear from you!

For more information about your health insurance, see HealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Choosing Your Health Insurance.

For more information about your health privacy, see HealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Healthcare Privacy.

We hope we’re helping you “Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2014

Helpful Health Care Links: November 29, 2014

This holiday week is a time for reflection. Our helpful health care links focus on many topics — changes in healthcare coverage for immigrants under President Obama’s new program and tighter FDA menu regulations for many restaurants. We also included a local story from The Wall Street Journal about a Detroit neurosurgeon arrested for alleged insurance fraud. All are worth your time. And, as always, if you ever come across a healthcare story that you think merits more attention, please send it our way!

A Warning on Nutmeg

During the holiday season, nutmeg is one of the most well-loved spices, but it has quite the twisted history. Toxicologists warn: measure your nutmeg carefully.

Illegal Immigrants Could Receive Social Security, Medicare Under Obama Action

Under President Obama’s new program to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation, many of those affected will be eligible to receive Social Security, Medicare, and a wide array of other federal benefits.

FDA Menu Labels May Freak Restaurants into Swapping Fries for Fruit

The Food and Drug Administration unveiled long-awaited rules requiring restaurants, grocery deli counters, convenience stores, and other outlets with more than 20 locations to post calories counts on their menus.

Turning 21? Here’s How to Avoid a Big Hike in Health Insurance Premiums

For those insured through the federal health insurance marketplace that operates in about three dozen states, turning 21 could mean a whopping 58 percent jump in health insurance premiums in 2015 if you don’t take the steps outlined in this article.

Detroit Neurosurgeon Aria Sabit Arrested for Alleged Insurance Fraud

A Detroit-area neurosurgeon was arrested for allegedly defrauding federal and private health-insurance programs by billing for spine surgeries that he either didn’t perform or that were medically unnecessary.

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Although we’d all like to avoid it, it’s likely that most of us will at some point be admitted to the hospital. Whether you are staying in a hospital for a happy event, such as the birth of a child, or are being admitted due to an emergency or serious illness, you should understand how a hospital works. MyHealthSpin’s Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay reveals the easy and practical answers that only an insider knows.

Available for download NOW!

Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2014

Are Criminals Using ObamaCare to Steal Personal Information?

The simple answer is “Yes.”

A growing number of criminals are using ObamaCare to steal patients’ personal information.

The government is warning seniors on Medicare: If someone asks for your personal information for a state insurance exchange under the new healthcare law, he’s probably a crook. Those exchanges don’t apply to seniors.

No consumer, young or old, should give out medical information or pay up-front “enrollment” fees, the government says.

Those are just two of the scams that federal officials anticipate as more and more patients sign up under the Affordable Care Act.

What Should You Know?

1) Never give out personal information to someone who contacts you saying you need to sign up for ObamaCare. It’s likely a criminal.

2) If you suspect fraud, call 800-318-2596, TTY 855-889-4325. This number will connect yous to federal call centers for reporting fraud or attempted identity theft.

3) Anyone who is officially allowed to sign patients up for ObamaCare should be able to present official credentials. If there is any doubt, you should ask for a number to call to confirm the person’s identity.

Remember: 1) make sure you know if you qualify for ObamaCare (download my ebook, Easy Healthcare: Obamacare to find out); 2) that Medicare is not affected by ObamaCare, and 3) where to call if you suspect fraud: 800-318-2596.

Knowing these facts may save you from a criminal who is trying to steal your identity or money.

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Are you looking to cut through all the noise and find out what ObamaCare really is, what it does, and, most importantly, what it means to you? MyHealthSpin’s “Easy Healthcare: ObamaCare” ebook guide leaves the politics behind and gives you a straightforward, timely rundown of the changes the law made and whether or not they impact YOU.

Available for download NOW!