Calgary – An Alberta woman who complains her Alberta Personal Health Card was compromised, may finally see some resolution.
Janene Vermeire says she recently discovered her health care number was used by someone other than her, at almost a dozen visits to various healthcare facilities.
Vermeire says she has repeatedly asked to have the card cancelled by Alberta Health and be issued a new health care number, but nothing has happened.
Now, after Global News helped expose the problem, Janene has received forms to apply for a new heath care number.
In addition, Global News has learned this case may violate Alberta’s Health Information Act, if someone knew about the problem and didn’t move to fix it.
“Someone gaining access to a health care card is likely a misuse of health information, and we would definitely be interested in knowing what various custodians involved would be doing to make sure that the information is accurate – before they use it to provide health care,” says Brian Hamilton, Office of Information & Privacy Commissioner.
You can get a record of your health visits to make sure no one else is using your health number.
It’s called a ‘statement of benefits paid,’ and it can be obtained free of charge for the most recent benefit period, plus the current year to date.
Alberta Health says they are looking at ways to improve security, including picture ID on health cards.
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