What can be a direct impact of medical identity theft on a patient's treatment?

The choice highlighting disruption in continuity of care as a direct impact of medical identity theft on a patient's treatment is accurate because medical identity theft can lead to significant complications in the way a patient's medical records are managed. When a thief uses someone else's identity to receive medical services, the rightful patient may find their medical history altered, duplicated, or compromised. This can cause confusion for healthcare providers who rely on accurate patient records to make informed treatment decisions.

For example, if a patient's medical history shows procedures or prescriptions that they have not received, providers might be hesitant to proceed with necessary treatments based on misleading information. This misrepresentation can disrupt ongoing treatments as new providers may not trust the available data, leading to potential delays in necessary care or unnecessary tests and procedures as the responsible healthcare team works to clarify the situation.

Such disruption can hinder a patient’s health progress and can have a lasting impact on their overall health management. Continuity of care is critical for effective treatment, and any adversities in ensuring this continuity can significantly affect patient outcomes.