Paterson woman sold medical records for cash
By Jonathan Greene
Published: September 17, 2015
A 48-year-old city woman working for a Bergen County hospital admitted she sold patient records containing personal information including social security numbers to another person, according to United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul J. Fishman.
Okeisha Carey, 48, pleaded guilty to charge of wrongful disclosure of identifiable health information before U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court on Wednesday, authorities said.
Carey sold more than 250 patient records containing patients’ names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and Medicare and Medicaid insurance information that she obtained from July 2010 through April 2011 while working as a billing supervisor at the Bergen County hospital.
Authorities said Carey sold the records to another person for cash payment. Court records filed shows from around January 2010 through August 2011, Carey violated a provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) law.
Authorities did not disclose how much the woman earned from selling the records.
Carey faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence and fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is set for December 11, 2015.