Tip of the week: How to avoid health-insurance fraud

Guard your card. Medical-related fraud accounts for 60 percent of identity theft, so “be as careful with your insurance card as with your passport.” Report a lost or stolen card immediately.

Examine every EOBS. Scrutinize each Explanation of Benefits Statement your insurer mails you. If a procedure or doctor visit is listed that shouldn’t be, report it. To ensure thieves haven’t diverted any statements, ask annually for a list of what was sent.

Avoid freebies. “Thieves set up free screenings to steal medical data.” If you do participate in, say, a free vision check, never give out personal info.

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Don’t use the ‘F’ word. Until you’re sure fraud’s been committed, avoid that word when speaking to your insurer. By law, compromised info must be kept confidential, making it hard for you to access records.

Source: Family Circle