Data breaches at healthcare organizations are on the rise, but why do hackers specifically target health records? The reasons are unsettling and go far beyond just financial gain. Healthcare data contains a wealth of personal details that criminals can exploit for identity theft, insurance fraud, and other malicious activities.

A Wealth of Personal Information

When hackers breach healthcare networks, they typically aim to steal sensitive personal data, such as insurance policy numbers, medical conditions, and medications. This information is valuable because it can be used to scam insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid, leaving patients vulnerable to both financial and medical risks. Unlike credit card fraud, which is easily detected and corrected, medical identity theft can remain undetected for years, making it far more damaging to victims.

The High Cost of Stolen Health Records

Health records, once stolen, are often sold on the dark web. These records, which can fetch up to $1,000 per entry, contain a trove of valuable information, including personally identifiable details that criminals use to steal identities or file fraudulent insurance claims. The stolen data can also be used to create fake prescriptions for high-value healthcare devices or controlled substances.

A Complex, Long-lasting Threat

The consequences of stolen healthcare records can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may face difficulties in correcting their records, as healthcare providers and insurers often have complex systems that don’t communicate with each other. These fraudulent records can also result in future problems, such as being denied coverage for conditions they don’t actually have or being charged for services they never received.

 What’s Driving the Surge in Hacks?

The rise in healthcare hacks is tied to the increasing movement of patient data across different platforms and third-party providers. Hackers target these systems because they know that, unlike financial institutions, healthcare organizations often fail to implement stringent security measures. These gaps in security make healthcare a prime target for cybercriminals.

Prevention and Solutions

While individual vigilance—such as monitoring medical bills and using multi-factor authentication—is important, systemic reforms are necessary to tackle the root causes of these breaches. Policymakers must enforce stricter data security standards for healthcare organizations and third-party providers to ensure better protection for patient records.