A lab tech working at a Las Vegas pediatric cardiology practice has been indicted on one count of illegal use and disclosure of patient health information and one count of aggravated identity theft. The lab tech had previously been convicted of Medicaid fraud for submitting false Medicaid claims and was sentenced to serve 12 to 48 months in prison and pay approximately $10,000 in restitution, penalties and costs.

According to prosecutors, the lab tech in this case accessed a patient’s information without authorization and then used it to apply for credit cards without the patient’s knowledge. The lab tech has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This case underscores the importance of performing background checks of employees who will have access to high risk and sensitive data in your organization.

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