article_snippet.sent: Your private medical information is under threat.
article_snippet.sent: Compromised information included patients' names, home addresses, ages, illnesses, test results or Social Security numbers.
article_snippet.sent: (file photo) Cases that didn't involve malicious intent included private health information being inadvertently mailed to the wrong patient.
article_snippet.sent: A JAMA editorial says there's evidence that the incidents are leading some patients to avoid giving doctors sensitive information about doctors health, including substance abuse, mental health problems, and HIV status. '
article_snippet.sent: Loss of trust in an electronic health information system could seriously undermine efforts to improve health and health care in the United States,' A JAMA editorial said.
article_snippet.sent: Patients should be alert to cyber threats, including 'phishing' emails from hackers posing as doctors, hospitals or health insurance companies, said Gallagher.
article_snippet.sent: Those messages require clicking on a link to get information, and patients should instead should call the purported sender to verify whether the email is legitimate, Gallagher said .
article_snippet.sent: Patients should also double check doctor bills and other insurance company information. '
article_snippet.sent: If you see care that wasn't provided to Gallagher, or dates and names of providers that don't make sense, go to the provider and report that.'
article_snippet.sent: : Cyber-security experts say thieves may try to use patients' personal information to fraudulently obtain medical services (file photo)
highlights_snippet.sent: Compromised information included patients' names, home addresses, ages, illnesses, test results or Social Security numbers .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Cyber-security experts say thieves may try to use patients' personal information to fraudulently obtain medical services .