Published August 8, 2024
Words by Aiste Joksaite

The healthcare industry relies heavily on identity verification as it’s crucial to secure and efficient operations. As healthcare systems increasingly digitise and integrate advanced technologies, identity verification processes becomes critical. This article explores how identity verification is implemented in the healthcare sector, its benefits, and why comprehensive verification measures are essential for protecting patient data and ensuring high-quality care.

Understanding Identity Verification in Healthcare

The identity verification process in the healthcare industry involves stakeholder, healthcare provider and patient verification. This process ensures that individuals are who they claim to be, preventing unauthorised users from accessing sensitive medical information and healthcare services. With the rise of telemedicine and electronic health records (EHRs), verifying identities has expanded beyond face-to-face interactions to include digital verification methods.

How does Healthcare Identity Verification Work?

How does healthcare identity verification work

Traditional Methods

Historically, identity verification in healthcare relied on physical identification documents such as driver’s licences, valid passports, and insurance cards. Patients were required to present these documents at the point of care, where healthcare staff would manually verify their identity. While effective, this method is time-consuming and prone to human error.

Digital Identity Verification

Digital transformation in healthcare has led to the adoption of electronic identity verification methods. These include:

  • Biometric Verification: Biometric authentication and verification, such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, and iris scanning, provide a secure and efficient way to verify identities when combined with document verification. Biometric data is unique to each individual, reducing the risk of fraud and impersonation.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Authentication solutions enhance security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification, such as a password and a one-time code sent to their mobile device. This method is commonly used for secure access to patient portals and EHRs.
  • Mobile ID Verification: Mobile apps and digital identity platforms allow patients to verify their identities using their smartphones. These apps often integrate with government databases to confirm the authenticity of identity documents and the individual’s identity.
  • Blockchain Technology: Some healthcare systems are exploring blockchain for identity verification due to its decentralised and tamper-proof nature. Blockchain can securely store and verify identity information, ensuring data integrity and privacy.

Benefits of Identity Verification in Healthcare

Implementing robust identity verification processes in healthcare offers numerous benefits:

Enhanced Security and Privacy

Identity verification is crucial for protecting sensitive patient information. Healthcare providers are legally obligated to safeguard patient data under regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. Effective verification measures prevent unauthorised access to medical records, reducing the risk of data breaches and identity theft.

Improved Patient Safety

Accurate identity verification ensures that patients receive the correct treatments and medications. Mismatched identities can lead to medical errors, such as administering the wrong medication or treatment to a patient. By verifying identities at every point of care, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the risk of such errors, encourage greater public confidence and improve patient safety.

Streamlined Operations

Digital identity verification streamlines administrative processes, reducing the time and effort required for manual checks. Automated verification systems can quickly authenticate identities, allowing healthcare staff to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork. This efficiency improves patient throughput and reduces wait times, enhancing the overall patient experience.

Facilitated Telemedicine and Remote Care

As telemedicine becomes more prevalent, identity verification is essential for ensuring the security of virtual consultations. Verifying the identities of both patients and healthcare providers prevents unauthorised individuals from accessing telehealth services. Secure verification methods enable patients to confidently access remote care, expanding healthcare access to underserved populations.

The Need for Extensive Identity Verification

The need for extensive identity verification

In an era where healthcare systems are increasingly interconnected, comprehensive identity verification measures are more important than ever. Here are several reasons why extensive verification is crucial:

Rising Cybersecurity Threats

The healthcare sector is a prime target for cyberattacks due to the wealth of sensitive data it holds. Cybercriminals often attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in identity verification processes to gain unauthorised access to patient information. Extensive verification measures, such as biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication, add layers of security that deter potential threats.

Compliance with Regulations

Regulatory bodies worldwide impose strict requirements on the protection of patient data. Healthcare organisations must adhere to these regulations to avoid severe penalties and reputational damage. Extensive identity verification processes ensure compliance with legal standards, safeguarding both patients and healthcare providers.

Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft

Healthcare fraud and identity theft are significant challenges that can result in financial losses and compromised patient care. Fraudsters may attempt to use stolen identities to obtain medical services or prescriptions with fraudulent claims. Comprehensive verification processes help detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensuring that only legitimate individuals receive healthcare services.

Building Trust and Confidence

Patients need to trust that their personal and medical information is secure when interacting with healthcare providers. Extensive identity verification measures build trust and confidence, assuring patients that their data is handled with the utmost care. Trust is a fundamental component of the patient-provider relationship, influencing patient engagement and satisfaction.

Information Exchange 

The seamless exchange of information across different healthcare systems is a key goal for modern healthcare. Accurate identity verification is essential for ensuring that patient records are correctly matched and shared between providers. Extensive verification processes enable interoperability, supporting coordinated and efficient care delivery as well as eliminating user friction.

Identity verification for healthcare institutions

Last Thoughts

Identity verification is a vital aspect of the healthcare sector, enhancing security, patient safety, and operational efficiency. As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for comprehensive identity verification measures becomes increasingly important. By adopting advanced verification technologies and practices, healthcare organisations can protect sensitive information, prevent fraud, and build trust with patients. In an interconnected and digital healthcare ecosystem, robust identity verification is essential for delivering high-quality care and safeguarding the future of healthcare.

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    FAQ

    The NHS confirms patient identity through a combination of manual checks and digital processes. Patients are typically asked to provide photographic identification, such as a passport or driver's licence, along with proof of address, like a utility bill or bank statement. Additionally, the NHS uses the NHS Number, a unique identifier assigned to every patient, to match records accurately. For digital services, such as accessing electronic health records, patients may be required to use online identity verification platforms that involve checking government-issued IDs and biometric data.
    The time it takes to complete an NHS identity check can vary depending on the method used and the availability of required documents. In-person checks at a healthcare facility, such as a GP practice or hospital, are usually completed within a few minutes once the necessary documents are presented. For online identity verification through NHS apps or services, the process can take a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the verification method and any additional checks required. Digital processes may take longer if further validation is needed or if there are discrepancies in the information provided.
    For identity verification, individuals typically need to provide a form of photographic identification, such as a passport or driver's licence, and proof of address, like a utility bill, bank statement, or official government correspondence. These documents are used to confirm both the identity and the address of the individual. When using digital services, additional requirements may include taking a selfie to compare against the photo ID and providing a one-time verification code sent to a registered mobile phone number or email address to complete the process securely.
    In the UK, identity verification can be performed by various authorised individuals and services. This includes government officials, healthcare providers, financial institutions, and digital identity verification platforms. Professionals such as solicitors, notaries, and accountants may also verify identity for legal or official purposes. For certain transactions, like opening a bank account or registering with a GP, verification can be done by presenting the required documents directly to the institution.
    Published August 8, 2024
    Words by Aiste Joksaite