What is an example of medical identity theft?

Using another person's name to obtain durable medical equipment is indeed an example of medical identity theft. This form of identity theft involves fraudulent acts where someone illegally uses another individual's personal information, such as their name, insurance details, or other identifying information, to obtain medical services or benefits. In this case, acquiring durable medical equipment under someone else's name not only misappropriates that individual’s identity but also can lead to significant consequences for both the victim and the healthcare provider—like billing issues and potential legal ramifications.

In the context of medical identity theft, actions that are expressly designed to exploit another person's medical history and insurance benefits to receive unauthorized medical services or equipment underscore the seriousness of this issue in healthcare compliance. This kind of theft can put patients at risk, affect their medical records, and disrupt appropriate care.

The other options do not fit within the definition of medical identity theft. For instance, purchasing an EHR or purchasing surgical equipment does not necessarily involve the illicit use of someone else’s identity or information for the purpose of fraud. Additionally, the act of using another healthcare provider's national provider identifier to submit a claim also implies a misuse of credentials but does not directly equate to the broader concept of medical identity theft as it revolves more around provider fraud rather