Many health care providers probably do not realize that they may be considered "creditors" under the FTC's Red Flags Rule, designed to prevent identity theft, usually involved with financial transactions, but which is increasingly spreading into other domains.
This is yet one more sign that protected health information (PHI) is going to be getting more attention as HHS pushes for the adoption of electronic health records. "The red flags rule is intended to address all forms of identity theft, including those involving the provision of health care," according to an FTC document.
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