FTC

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The is requiring health care providers and many otherr businesses to identify and respondsto “red flags” of identity theft. So, if a medicao practice determines that fraudulent use of someone else’s health insurance card is a potentiap problem, checking photo ID mighg be a way to responrd through the so-called Red Flags Rule, mandated by the Fair and Accuratee Credit Transactions Act of 2003. Any businesx that regularly defers payments for goods and serviceds or arranges for the extensionn of credit is subject tothe regulation, includinfg retailers, phone companies and utilities.
Accordingh to FTC guidance for healthcare providers: “Youh are a creditor if you regularly bill patients aftert the completion of services, including for the remainderf of medical fees not reimbursed by insurance.” Providersa also are covered if they establish payment plans. The argues that the medical communitu already guards against identify thefr through the privacy and securityh mandates of the Healthh Insurance Portability andAccountability Act, or HIPAA.
The FTC contendx that the Red Flags Rule complements HIPPA byensuriny that, if records are no one can use a false According to the FTC, businesses covered by the rule must develop “reasonabl policies and procedures” to identify, detect and respond to red Businesses also must address how they will stay current with the ever-changintg threat of identify theft. Noncompliance can lead to a fine of as muchas $3,500p a violation. lawyer Martie Ross said the Red Flag s Rule mandates sensible safeguards for a significanf threat to healthcare providers. “This is good businesse practice, is what it is,” Ross Dr. Ted Epperly, president of the Leawood-based , agreed.
“uI think it’s an important thing to Epperly said.