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Why Chinese Hackers Would Want US Hospital Patient Data
itwbennett (1594911) writes In a follow-up to yesterday's story about the Chinese hackers who stole hospital data of 4.5 million patients, IDG News Service's Martyn Williams set out to learn why the data, which didn't include credit card information, was so valuable. The answer is depressingly simple: people without health insurance can potentially get treatment by using medical data of one of the hacking victims. John Halamka, chief information officer of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and chairman of the New England Healthcare Exchange Network, said a medical record can be worth between $50 and $250 to the right customer — many times more than the amount typically paid for a credit card number, or the cents paid for a user name and password. "If I am one of the 50 million Americans who are uninsured ... and I need a million-dollar heart transplant, for $250 I can get a complete medical record including insurance company details," he said.
and how many times have people, especially women have gone to the doctor and been ignored or told their symptoms were nothing? when the doctor should have done a test or procedure based on the patient's complaint? or in my wife's case a lower doctor wanted to do a c-section without doing the right tests first and her doctor who was the chief of obgyn at the hospital said no and after they did the tests it was found a c-section was not required
even then it's hard to sue for malpractice. the lawyers who do this have nurses on staff who review the charts and only a small percentage end up in a lawsuit.
Um, No. In a Government funded Health system Such as in NZ, well below your predicted 1mil.
Quote; You might also have a hard time pointing the finger at the real crooks here.
not really, the crooks are your govt selling your health care to the highest bidder.
cardiac bypass (heart surgery): $37,000-$45,000
valve replacement (heart surgery): $43,000-$53,000
angiogram (diagnostic test): $3600-$4400
angioplasty with 2 stents (heart surgery): $17,000-$20,000
total hysterectomy (surgery): $10,000-$13,000
laparoscopic excision of endometriosis (surgery): $4900-$6000
prostate removal (cancer surgery): $10,000-$12,000
prostate brachytherapy (cancer surgery): $21,000-$25,000
excision of cancerous skin lesion: $1000-$1500
colonoscopy (diagnostic test): $1500-$1800
radical mastectomy (breast cancer surgery): $8300-$10,000
radiation therapy (one course of treatment): $15,000-$27,000
gastroscopy (diagnostic test): $1100-$1300
laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder surgery): $6800-$8400
total hip replacement (surgery): $18,000-$22,000
total knee replacement (surgery): $19,000-$23,000
cataract removal (eye surgery): $3500-$4000
thyroidectomy (surgery): $8300-$10,200
endoscopic sinus surgery: $6500-$7900
wisdom teeth removal: $1900-$2400
varicose veins (both legs): $6300-$7800
hernia repair: $5400-$6600
knee arthroscopy: $4000-$5000
biopsy: $1000-$1500
MRI scan: $1000-$1200
CT scan: $600-$800
ultrasound: $150-$200.
Link, http://www.everybody.co.nz/page-56d7ef0e-9e87-46ad-9ab9-843e76f8301e.aspx
Yes, because the single payer systems in Europe of trouble free right?
I'm not saying we don't have an issue, but your 1 step solution is a joke. The same corruption, greed and poor administration that afflicts us now would continue in the new system. It would just include all the problems of government waste and politics as well.
The problem in the US is states have enacted their own laws governing what treatment is required by law. So states that are pro-patient rights oppose allowing patients being able to seek insurance outside of the state as that would be an end run around their laws. As a result, patients cannot for any meaningful patients rights groups of a large enough size to make a difference in the healthcare market. There aren't enough doctors because younger doctors can make more money doing plastic surgery and other cosmetic specialty work, and the older doctors get pair so much they only feel the need to work 2 days a week. Tuition to medical schools in this country is borderline insane.
This is a very complex issue and throwing black and white solutions at it while calling your opponents stupid will get your no-where.
Some hospitals are taking photos of patients with higher cost proceedures as early as 6 years ago. My photo is in my medical records. A stolen ID would be spotted by any staff reviewing my medical history.
The truth shall set you free!
Moving to the UK's system means no insurance company, and your employer et al do not have access to your medical records. In-fact, most doctors do not have access to your medical records - they are only now bringing in a system where your medical records are shared on an on-demand basis with other hospitals and surgeries. Walk into an A&E department and they won't have your medical records.