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Spring Survey 2012 Results

Part II - Minimizing Healthcare Woes to Protect the Consumer

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and medical identity theft is the fastest growing form of identity theft. What is medical identity theft? What are the effects on the healthcare system? What can you do to protect yourself? On this Patient Power program, host Andrew Schorr is joined by two leading experts on the topic: Byron Hollis, managing director of BlueCross BlueShield Association’s National Anti-Fraud Department and Jim Quiggle, director of communications for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

This second program of three in a Patient Power Special Edition Series on Medical Fraud focuses on steps you, the consumer, can take to minimize the risk of having your personal information used by someone without your knowledge or consent to obtain medical services or other goods, or to make false claims for medical services to their insurance company. Learn why it is crucial for us as individuals to partner with industry to address this problem. Medical fraud affects the ability of employers to provide quality health insurance. False claims, if not identified, are also placed in a person’s health record, which can be extremely dangerous if you are brought to a hospital and receive care based on false chart details.

Seniors are particularly at risk for medical identity theft. Mr. Quiggle discusses what we can do to help our parents and older relatives to make sure they are not victimized. Learn about available resources for seniors to help them understand their Explanation of Benefits and identify what hidden schemes may be stashed inside the complicated bills they receive. Learn about up-coding, when it happens and how to avoid it. There are simple tips for everyone on how to protect their identity, like checking credit reports and double-checking bills. During the program Mr. Hollis and Mr. Quiggle discuss some of the most common schemes and the red flags to look for. Being educated about what to look for is the key, and this Patient Power program is an excellent place to begin.

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EXPERTS & GUESTS:
Byron Hollis, Esq., CFE, AHFI
Managing Director of BCBSA National Anti-Fraud Department, BlueCross BlueShield Association’s National Anti Fraud Department
Byron Hollis is the Managing Director of the BlueCross BlueShield Association’s National Anti Fraud Department. In this capacity, he is responsible for providing national strategic leadership and support to the anti fraud programs at the 39 independent BlueCross and BlueShield companies, who collectively insure over 100 million customers. In addition Mr. Hollis is responsible for direction and leadership of the... more >

James Quiggle James Quiggle,
Director of Communications, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
James Quiggle is director of communications for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. Mr. Quiggle is a 20-year veteran of public relations and journalism, he joined the coalition staff in March 2000. He's stirring public outrage and stoking consumer support with outreach campaigns that tell the tale of fraud, wag the tail of reform, and unite society to combat it. He... more >

TRANSCRIPT:

  1. Introduction LISTEN
  2. Medical Identity Theft LISTEN
  3. Alerting Your Provider to Medical Fraud LISTEN
  4. The Costs of Medical Fraud LISTEN
  5. Medical Scammers LISTEN
  6. Fighting Back LISTEN
  7. Situations to Watch Out For LISTEN

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