Federal Bill Strengthens Penalties for Misuse of Medicare, Medicaid Number

​Penalties for inappropriate use of Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program identification numbers will increase under a bill passed by Congress on December 18, 2015. Aimed at reducing medical identity theft, Section 8 of the Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act (S 2425) increases penalties for any individual who "knowingly and willfully purchases, sells or distributes, or arranges for the purchase, sale, or distribution of a beneficiary identification number or unique health identifier for a health care provider."