A Calgary woman is questioning the security of Alberta Personal Health Cards, after learning a stranger had apparently been using her health care number for months.
Janene Vermeire had her wallet stolen in July of 2012, and had to replace everything from her drivers licence to her health card.
Vermeire was on a hospital visit five months later, when she discovered the address on her health record was changed.
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She called Alberta Health to report it, and learned there were at least a dozen visits at different healthcare facilities listed on her record – that weren’t hers.
Vermeire says she has repeatedly asked to have the card cancelled by Alberta Health, and for a new health number, but nothing has happened.
“It just boggles my mind that Alberta Health is well aware of the situation – the identification of this individual has been stolen, it’s still being used, and we’re having this conversation right now,” says Wildrose health critic Heather Forsyth. “It’s just not acceptable.”
Alberta Health says it isn’t able to comment on this specific case for privacy reasons.
Clinics and hospital staff are asked to request photo ID with a patient’s personal health card when they receive publicly-funded health services.
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