This is an overview of the federal HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) law enacted in 1996, and how it applies to you. It explains your rights and the requirements and responsibilities of your medical providers to safeguard this information and how it may be legally used.

The case of Eric Drew caused the first prosecution of a HIPAA case in the United States. It is an almost unthinkable crime, to steal from the sick and dying, but it happens every day. Here are some tips on how you can protect your personal & medical information from unauthorized eyes.

The Eric Drew Story. Stealing a person's identity is an almost unthinkable crime; to steal from the sick and dying, but it happens every day. Here is the story of a Northen California man who lay at death's door in a Seattle hospital while a lab technician stole his identity, and how he fought back and brought him to justice.

Identity theft victim Eric Drew, the first person to force a successful prosecution & conviction under the federal HIPAA statute joins host Steve Zeltzer, HIPAA expert David Sweigert and injured worker Barbara Clark in a roundtable discussion of how this important law that supposedly protects your personal & medical     information doesn't.    Click on the camera to watch the video.

Eric Drew seemed to have all the luck in the world. He was energetic, successful, with a great family and a beautiful girlfriend. Then he was diagnosed with a deadly, virulent form of leukemia. While he was fighting to stay alive, someone was stealing his identity.    Click on the camera to watch Dateline NBC segment     of December 25, 2005.