Medicare Data Incident: What It Means for Your Estate Planning

Ever thought about the security and privacy of your Medicare data? 100,000 Medicare recipients recently got a rude awakening when they were informed that their personal information may have been compromised. But don’t worry, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking swift action to mitigate any potential damage.

This data incident brings to light one often overlooked aspect of estate planning – ensuring your medical data is secure. According to government figures, more than 66 million Americans receive medical coverage through Medicare. So, if you’re one of them, pay attention! The affected beneficiaries will receive new Medicare cards and numbers, a move that’s meant to protect them from potential identity fraud.

And how did this happen? The CMS discovered suspicious activity related to unauthorized creation of beneficiary online accounts using personal information obtained from unknown external sources. This information included Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBI), last names, zip codes, dates of birth and coverage start dates.

Now, you’re probably wondering – what should I do? Here’s a clear action step: be vigilant about your Medicare data. If you notice anything unusual or receive any strange communications, don’t ignore it. Reach out to CMS or your healthcare provider to clarify. And remember, the best defense is a good offense. Regularly update your passwords and be careful about where and with whom you share your personal information.

Source: www.newsweek.com