KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Monday afternoon a man driving down 63rd Street saw a bunch of pink papers in a field. He stopped and took a look at one of them, only to find out they were patient medical records.
One of those pieces of paper had personal information of a Kincaid, Kan. woman. She was surprised to hear from FOX 4 Tuesday afternoon, and even more surprised when she found out why.
“For my records with my social security number and address and everything out in a field, why would that stuff be there? It’s ridiculous,” said Elizabeth Weber
The last time Weber was anywhere near Midwest Women’s Healthcare Specialists at Research Medical Center was when she was pregnant with her youngest child in 2011.
The idea that after such a long time, her records are literally in the wind makes Weber angry.
“Identity fraud is so rampant anymore and you never know, it can happen no matter how careful you are. But when people who are supposed to be responsible for protecting you, are not, then it’s even more scary,” explained Weber.
The man who initially found the papers Monday said he tracked them back to a dumpster behind RMC. Weber said she’s already contacted an attorney, who said to file a police report and get in touch with credit bureaus just in case.
She is hopeful her identity is still safe and whomever is responsible doesn’t let it happen again.
“I would say they need to follow HIPAA laws, because that’ what they’re there for, to keep us safe and protect our privacy and blowing around in a field is not very protected in my book,” she said.
Medical records are supposed to be protected by federal law. Potential violations could be met with hefty fines and even jail time for those responsible.
