Docs Urge FTC to Exempt Health Care from Red Flags Rule

WASHINGTON — Several groups that represent licensed health
care professionals — including the American Medical
Association, the American Dental Association and the American
Osteopathic Association — are urging the Federal Trade
Commission to exempt LHCPs from the “red flags” rule.

Under the rule, businesses classified as creditors are required
to have programs in place to identify patterns and practices that
raise “red flags” for possible identity theft. But following a
ruling by a federal court that the red flags rule should not apply
to attorneys, the health groups’ penned a
letter asserting the decision has “at the very least, called
into serious question” the FTC’s application of the rule to health
care.

On Oct. 30, the commission announced its fourth delay in
enforcement of rule, moving the deadline from Nov. 1, 2009, to June
1, 2010. (For more, see ‘Red Flags’ Deadline
Delayed until June, Nov. 3, 2009.)