Has anyone ever reported SSI fraud on a patient?

MunoRN, RN · May 20, 2013

Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number (SSA Publication No. 05-10064, ICN 463270)

SSI fraud, which includes identity theft as well as a long list of other acts is illegal, yet that doesn't mean it's an exception to Nurse-patient confidentiality. There are exceptions, but unless it falls under mandatory reporting or threatens the safety of the patient or others, it still falls under Nurse-patient confidentiality, no matter how tempting it may be ensure they get punished for what they've done.

Mulan · May 20, 2013

SSI fraud, which includes identity theft as well as a long list of other acts is illegal, yet that doesn't mean it's an exception to Nurse-patient confidentiality. There are exceptions, but unless it falls under mandatory reporting or threatens the safety of the patient or others, it still falls under Nurse-patient confidentiality, no matter how tempting it may be ensure they get punished for what they've done.

So you are claiming that if a patient came into your ICU (or wherever you work) and they were using your social security number you would just ignore it?

MunoRN, RN · May 20, 2013

Yes. I can report information that is mine, including that my Number is being used, but not the patient's information

Mulan · May 20, 2013

Yes what? You would ignore it?

MunoRN, RN · May 20, 2013

I don't think I said I would ignore it.

Mulan · May 20, 2013

Well I'm not sure what it is that you did say.

MunoRN, RN · May 20, 2013

If a patient is seeking care under my name then that is not protected, they are in the act of committing a crime, and it potentially harms their care rather than protecting it. If they commit acts of violence against me then I'm not obliged to keep that confidential either. But if I become aware of information as a result of my access to private patient information, including incidental conversations, I'm obligated to keep that confidential unless it falls under one of the exceptions.

PMFB-RN, RN · May 20, 2013

I know I see it all the time, and it is starting to get ridiculous. I am nervous about reporting patients due to providing too much information that would violate HIPPA. Need advise and input on reporting SSI fraud on patients!

*** OF COURSE NOT! First of all I never know for sure if fraud is being commited. Sure it may sound like it but I can't know for sure. Second any information I learn from a patient is confidential (with exceptions as previously discussed.

I am absolutly AMAZED that anyone gets worried about such things. Were was this same outrage when KBR was recieving billions on no-bid, cost plus contracts? Nobody cared about all the brand new semi trucks KBR was buying, never even changing oil and driving then until the motor seized just to leave them at the side of the road and go buy new ones. Trucks less than a year old. Nobody cared when they were buying sub standard food to feed US troops meanwhile charging the government top prices for it. Very profitable oil companies like Exxon recieve billions in tax payer subsidies while making HUGE profits. I never hear any outrage but an American who MIGHT be getting few bucks while bending the rules a little? Sheesh..............

klone, MSN, RN · May 20, 2013

There is a big difference between a kids basketball game and using someones social security number/identity theft.

Okay, to compare apples to at least a different fruit, I am vehemently opposed to the death penalty. Doesn't mean that if it were my child that was murdered, I wouldn't want to rip the person apart with my bare hands. There's a reason why they don't allow people personally affected to decide a person's punishment.

Mulan · May 20, 2013

If a patient is seeking care under my name , they are in the act of committing a crime, and it potentially harms their care rather than protecting it.

Same as with any name they are using that is not their own.

Sadala, ADN, RN · May 20, 2013

I agree with both sides of this argument, but my personal code of honor, (sounds pompous I know) recoils at keeping someone elses illegal secret.
What if the person seeking care, committing fraud, relies on "nursing ethics"
to get away with whatever they're attempting to get away with?

I think I've already defined what my view is on reporting responsibilities. But to recap, if I find out something incidental to patient care, there are only certain circumstances, I believe, where I should report it. And I think I've enumerated which circumstances I believe those to be. If there is legislation that requires something different from me, I'm afraid that I am not aware of it. I would be happy to review said legislation, however, if it exists and someone can supply a link.

squatmunkie_RN · May 20, 2013

Hell no. That's none of my business, it's only going to create conflict and stress for you. Don't do that..

Clock in, take care of your patients to the best of your ability and clock out. Unless they are danger to themselves/others it's none of my business what they do.

We had a patient with drug paraphernalia in her room, needles, metal spoon..etc. The police were called to the floor, they told us that WE were actually in trouble because we took her property out of her room.

So...