We live in an era where fraud is more of a threat than ever. Remember the good old days when all you had to worry about was having a credit card stolen from you physically? Nowadays, internet users can have their identity stolen, and Health Spending Account plan members can even have their coverage credits compromised!

Plan sponsors and members interested in taking counter-fraudulent measures should read on to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of HSA use to help protect their coverage.

DO:

• Protect your health card information. This means both your provincial and benefits plan cards. Losing these to identity thieves will corrupt your records and negatively impact your insurability.
• Report any suspicious HSA activity to HR or to your insurer. This     includes reporting providers who waive your co-payment or deductible regularly.
• Check the receipts received for products and services to ensure that they all accurately reflect what was delivered to you.
• Get your hands on copies of any forms that you are asked to sign.
• Be cautious when dealing with any « free » health services that ask for your health insurance information. No free service requires health insurance information, so this is always suspicious.

DON’T:

• Let anybody other than yourself use your benefits card when seeking products or services.
• Sign your name on any blank claim forms, as these enable defrauders to use you as a front for their criminal activities.
• Let anybody use your health spending account – this coverage is for you and your family!

Learn more about Benecaid’s HSA at http://benecaid.wpengine.com/health-spending-account.