report patient pretending to be someone else

by Lolita Koss 10 min read

Medical Identity Theft: FAQs for Health Care Providers …

5 hours ago  · Patients should report discrepancies to their health plan. Tell your patients to file a complaint with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261, and to check out the information at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. They also should file a report with local police, and send copies of the report to their health plan’s … >> Go To The Portal


Patients should report discrepancies to their health plan. Tell your patients to file a complaint with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by phone at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261, and to check out the information at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

Full Answer

Is it OK to pretend to be someone you’re not?

It can be fun to be someone else for a few hours. But it’s important to make sure that it’s just for a few hours. While masks, makeup, and crazy characters are perfect for Halloween, pretending to be someone you’re not can seriously hurt your social life. From time to time, everyone does a little bit of pretending for the sake of being polite.

Do you feel threatened by doctors who don't know their own scope?

I feel threatened for patients that are in danger of encountering people who do not know their own scope of practice and think they do whatever a doctor tells them to do. You will all learn once you get a malpractice suit. You sound completely ignorant and disrespectful.

Do you need a gentle reminder to your medical provider?

Your medical providers might need a gentle reminder to be more honest, or to be informed about the law, regarding the roles they assign their staff. I’m an RN with 33 years experience. We all have our duties, we all have our titles.

Is it a crime to impersonate a nurse?

You might not know it but impersonating a nurse is a crime. And even though a medical assistant may believe what they are doing is innocent, in reality it is a crime. What they are actually doing is misrepresenting themselves and leading people to believe that they have a greater level of education and qualification than they have.

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What is medical identity theft description?

Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number), to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your authorization. Medical identity theft can disrupt your medical care, and wastes taxpayer dollars.

What impact might medical identity theft have on the patient's care?

Consequences of Medical Identity Theft For one, if a patient's medical record is corrupted by a shady provider it could lead to mistreatment, misdiagnosis, a delay in care, or even being prescribed the wrong medication from honest physicians — an error with potentially fatal consequences.

How can medical identity theft occur?

How Does Medical Identity Theft Happen? Medical identity theft can happen when someone physically steals your information, such as your wallet with your health insurance card in it or medical records that you threw out. The thief often isn't a random person.

What is Upcoding in medical billing?

A common type of false claim is "upcoding," which refers to using billing codes that reflect a more severe illness than actually existed or a more expensive treatment than was provided.

What is an example of medical identity theft?

For example, if a thief got a prescription filled in your patient's name, the victim may want the record from the pharmacy that filled the prescription and the health care provider who wrote the prescription. Explain that there may be fees and mailing costs to get copies of medical or billing files.

Is medical identity theft the same as Hippa?

Medical Identity Theft is a National Crisis Protected health information (PHI) is the bedrock of HIPAA privacy but is widely misunderstood, causing organizations to violate HIPAA without knowing it. Most people think PHI includes a diagnosis or some kind of medical information – NOT true.

How do you report someone pretending to be a doctor?

Call to have a Complaint Form mailed to you either through the toll-free line (1-800-633-2322) or by calling (916) 263-2424, OR. Use the On-line Complaint Form, OR. Download and Print a Complaint Form.

How do medical offices solve identity theft?

If you've been a victim of medical identity theft, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, online or at 877-438-4338. If the fraud is Medicare-related, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, online or at 800-447-8477.

How can patient information be misused?

Medical records can be misused unless they are coded to hide patients' identifying information. If a patient has been treated for a particular disease and his or her medical records are not held in confidence, a company selling products related to the disease could directly contact the patient.

What is the punishment for Upcoding?

Under the False Claims Act can most upcoding crimes lead to incarceration up to five years and fines worth up to $250,000.

What type of legal case is filed when a doctor uses an incorrect code?

Filing claims with incorrect codes can create explicit liability under the federal and state False Claims Acts. Such a situation means that service providers become liable for triple damages and civil claims for each such submission.

How is Upcoding detected?

The use of electronic health records (EHR) software can facilitate upcoding and unbundling. With EHR software, providers can copy and paste notes from a patient's previous visit into each current treatment note, which can make it appear that the provider has diagnosed and treated every condition on that list.

What are potential impacts of medical identity theft on patients check all that apply?

Medical identity theft and medical insurance fraud result in patient misidentification and lead to serious repercussions such as: Overlaid medical records and medical errors. Incorrect wristband placement. Denied medical claims and revenue loss.

Why is healthcare targeted by identity thieves?

With these compromised credentials, identity thieves can use a victim's data to acquire medical treatment, receive elective surgery, and even fill prescriptions. Additionally, the thief's medical history can become intertwined with the victim's electronic health records.

What is the role of the HIM professional after medical identity theft has been discovered?

As patient advocates, HIM professionals can and should educate patients about the importance of protecting their medical identity in the same way in which they protect their financial identity.

What can hackers do with medical records?

Another reason that medical records are extremely valuable to hackers is that there are many ways to use that data on the dark web. This information can be used to purchase prescriptions, receive treatment or make fake medical claims.

What are the consequences of impersonating someone else?

The Consequences for Impersonating Someone Else. Everyone finds themselves in an uncomfortable situation at some point, and in order to avoid embarrassment or punishment, may at least ponder pretending to be someone else. While it may seem harmless to impersonate another person, the law does not always look so kindly on this type of behavior.

What is a false impersonation charge in California?

False impersonation is a wobbler offense in California, and a prosecutor’s decision as to whether the charge will be a misdemeanor or felony rests on the circumstances of the case, and the accused’s criminal history.

Is impersonating an officer a criminal offense?

To be criminally liable for impersonating an officer, causing harm to another or deriving some benefit is not required. Instead, a person can be found guilty of this offense if he/she:

Is it a crime to impersonate someone?

Impersonating Another Person. In addition to impersonating a police officer, it is also a crime to impersonate another person if harm is caused. False impersonation occurs when someone represents him/herself as another person to deceive others.

What does it mean when you pretend to be someone you are not?

Pretending to be someone you are not means you’re trying to fit in with the wrong people. You can try your hardest to blend in, and still wind up feeling lonely. And there’s a reason for that. If you’re not being open with others about who you really are, then you can never expect to feel truly understood.

What happens if you don't open up to each other?

And if you can’t open up to each other, it’s going to be pretty difficult to move past the surface-level, small talk phase, and strike up a genuine friendship.

Can pretending to be someone you're not hurt your social life?

While masks, makeup, and crazy characters are perfect for Halloween, pretending to be someone you’re not can seriously hurt your social life. From time to time, everyone does a little bit of pretending for the sake of being polite. That could mean laughing at a lame joke, or showing interest in a story your friend is telling, even if it’s boring.

Pretending to Be Someone Else Is Dangerous

A few years back, I used to work as a full-time writer. Even back then, I was depressed, so I had limited mental and physical energy. I would feel especially low after lunch and needed a nap to function until evening. I asked around to know if there were others like me.

Every Act Must End

Long story short, she couldn't keep up with her false personality anymore. She was forced to quit after she burst into tears in the middle of an important meeting. She was not made to leave, she quit out of shame. The thing is, she was a valued employee.

Pretending to be someone else online

I dont know how to determine my problem, I am a 42 years old mother of 2 daughters ages 22 and 17. it started when my oldest daughter was 16 years old. My husband was already working overseas then, I created a fake Friendster account of my daughter and pretended to be her.

Re: Pretending to be someone else online

I dont know how to determine my problem, I am a 42 years old mother of 2 daughters ages 22 and 17. it started when my oldest daughter was 16 years old. My husband was already working overseas then, I created a fake Friendster account of my daughter and pretended to be her.

The Man and the Mask

I just finished reading C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity and he told a story toward the end of the book that went something like this:

Pretending in Real Life

Another way to think about this is with regard to emotions. Pretending to be happy can actually create happiness in reality. For example, on more than one occasion where I’ve felt less than happy, I put all of my effort and attention on putting a smile on my face.

Applying Pretending Today

To the original question of whether or not pretending, or “faking it until you make it,” is worthwhile, I think the answer is yes if it is applied correctly. Two points need to be made about the goal of pretending.

What to do if a medical assistant calls herself a nurse?

If the medical assistant continues to call him/herself a nurse after being told it is inappropriate you should alert your state board of nursing so they can be held legally accountable for claiming a license and title they do not have. It is illegal in all states to claim a license you do not have.

Why is a nurse able to express concerns to a physician?

The nurse is also likely to be able to express the patient’s concerns more clearly to a physician because of additional training received in communications. 2. It’s Disrespectful.

Why is there a hierarchy in patient care?

A hierarchy exists in patient care so there is ladder that can be climbed when issues in a patient’s care arise. It can be difficult and confusing for the patient to try and understand who the nurse actually is if the medical assistants refer to each other as nurses.

Is it a crime to impersonate a nurse?

You might not know it but impersonating a nurse is a crime . And even though a medical assistant may believe what they are doing is innocent, in reality it is a crime. What they are actually doing is misrepresenting themselves and leading people to believe that they have a greater level of education and qualification than they have. Just like a physician held legally responsible for practicing medicine without a license, medical assistants that call themselves nurses can be held legally responsible for practicing nursing without a license. Depending on the laws of your state it can either be considered misdemeanor or felony. Practicing nursing without a license is always a criminal act which is punishable by the sentencing rules of the appropriate statute. For example, California part of the nurse practice acts states that a person cannot let someone assume they are a nurse, much less call themselves one:

Can a certified nurse aide call themselves a nurse?

This law does not prohibit certified nurses’ aides from using their specific title.”. Communicating with a medical assistant clearly and assertively that it is not okay that they call themselves a nurse is not only recommended, but required. Not doing so could put patients in danger.

Is it disrespectful to represent yourself as a nurse?

Wow, no Miss, it is disrespectful to represent yourself as a Nurse when you are not a Nurse. It does not matter how good your education was as a Medical Assistant. You did not go through nursing school, and you are not licensed as a nurse.

Is it illegal to call yourself a nurse?

Yes it is illegal to call yourself a nurse if you’re not a nurse and if a patient calls anyone other than a nurse,the nurse, they should be corrected. And, in a clinical setting,i.e. doctors office, the medical assistant does everything the nurse does (varies from state to state). Notice I said in the doctors office.

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