Best methods (if they exist) for amending errors incurred by Medical Identity Theft?

April 28, 2007 7:44 PM

I just got a statement in the mail from my health insurance company for some lab tests that I'm *pretty* sure I didn't go in for, not having had to go to the doctor or get any tests done since I got said insurance (at least that I can recall). Now what?

Both the insurance and lab testing companies are closed until Monday, so I can't really inquire what the heck this lab work charged to the company is. I don't owe any money (apparently), but I'm very concerned about someone out there getting prescriptions or otherwise leaving a false medical history in my name.

Has anyone been through this situation already, and have any advice for me while I sort out this headache? I'm a lifelong resident of California, if that helps.

posted by universal_qlc to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I don't think this is a situation where minutes make any difference. Talk to them on Monday, and don't sweat it until then.

The most likely reason for this is a paperwork snafu.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 7:53 PM on April 28, 2007

Yeah, don't sweat it yet. Simple errors are rampant in medical biling. Someone probably made a typo while entering someone else's records, landing it in yours by mistake. Call on Monday. Just tell them it's an error and ask how to get it cleared up. Every hospital and insurer has a standard procedure for dealing with this because it's so commonplace.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 7:58 PM on April 28, 2007

I had this happen...got a bill for a "stress test" and some bloodwork, from a doctor I hadn't seen in about two years (plus, I'm in my early 30's, no need for a stress test just yet!) - I just called them the next day and they took it right off.
posted by Liosliath at 8:08 PM on April 28, 2007

This just happened to someone I know. She got an explanation of benefits for $800 worth of x-rays! Someone transposed 2 numbers somewhere. It was fixed in about 30 seconds after she called the billing office of the hospital where the x-rays were taken.
posted by peep at 10:32 PM on April 28, 2007

Medical Identity Theft On The Rise.

The Medical Identity Theft Information Page.
posted by ericb at 10:27 AM on April 29, 2007