Health care industry hidden use and control of our data
Over the past several years, I’ve received notifications of data breaches within health care industry systems that contain my private health information. The industry’s response has been to provide free credit reporting services in lieu of how my private health information may be used within their industry.
PHI contains detailed and personal information about a person beyond companies which access credit reporting agencies. For example, a TJ Max Credit account or a bank credit card doesn’t contain detailed information about my personal well being, such as whom I’m related to, illnesses, hospitalizations, mental and physical status, etc. Companies access these databases to report payment history — credit worthiness.
PHI is valuable. It can be sold and used for research without our knowledge. The sources of unauthorized actors aren’t identified nor is the amount of personal information which was held by the company providing the notice of a breach.
Credit worthiness isn’t in play here unless health care patient files, billing & costs to us are in jeopardy as well. There is no industry database for us to access, watch & dispute these files. Health care, Medicaid & Medicare fraud isn’t detectable if we can’t see what’s held and has been accessed about us. What is in their files anyway?
What and how much do you want strangers to know about you that you don’t have any control over or even the knowledge of?