Identity Verification in Healthcare: Why It’s More Important Than Ever

Remember when visiting a doctor meant sitting in a waiting room, flipping through outdated magazines, and silently hoping you wouldn’t catch something worse than what you came in with? Those days are quickly fading. Telemedicine is no longer a backup plan—it’s becoming the go-to for millions of people.

Back in 2019, about 57 million patients worldwide consulted doctors online. Fast-forward to 2024, and that number has more than doubled to over 116 million.

That’s not just growth. That’s a healthcare revolution.

But with this digital shift comes a new challenge: how do you make sure the person on the other end of the screen is really who they say they are? That’s where healthcare identity verification steps in—helping providers confirm identities, protect patient data, and comply with regulations.

And as the number of virtual patients rises, the need for patient verification automation becomes just as critical. Manual checks simply can’t keep up. Automation ensures faster, more accurate onboarding while improving user experience and reducing fraud risks.

Let’s dive into why identity verification matters, what threats providers are facing, and how the right tools can keep remote healthcare safe and efficient.

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Remote Healthcare: Convenient, Affordable—and Risky?

When lockdowns hit, remote healthcare wasn’t optional—it was survival. But as restrictions eased, something unexpected happened: people stuck with it. Why? It’s faster, often cheaper, and way more convenient.

Now, telemedicine is a legitimate, regulated sector in many countries. Patients can get medical advice, prescriptions, test results, and even sick notes—all online.

But here’s the kicker: to make all of this work, providers need to know exactly who they’re treating. It’s not just about convenience anymore—it’s about safety and compliance.

Think of it like online banking. Would you want someone else logging into your account and draining your funds? The same logic applies to your medical records and treatments.

What Does IDV Do in Healthcare?

In a nutshell, identity verification makes sure the right person is accessing the right services.

From verifying your age for certain treatments to confirming it’s really you before prescribing medication, IDV plays a key role throughout the patient journey.

Most platforms ask for some mix of:

• A government-issued ID
  
  
• A selfie (yep, your face counts as ID now)
  
  
• A verified login via your bank or identity app
  
  
• Email or phone number verification
  

It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, though. Some platforms verify everyone up front, while others only ask for extra steps if the service is sensitive or restricted.

A Few Real-Life Examples

• Medon (Latvia): Offers options like ID document upload, Smart-ID, and even biometric-secured banking apps.
  
  
• Boots Digital Health (UK): Depending on the service, you might need to upload a selfie and your ID, plus answer a secret question.
  
  
• MyChart (US): Offers access to multiple healthcare providers through a single profile—email verification only, no ID required.
  
  
• Doctor On Demand (US): Quick sign-up with email and password, but changing personal info like your name or DOB? That requires extra verification through support.

What Can Go Wrong? More Than You Might Think

Remote healthcare opens the door to amazing opportunities—but also to fraud. Unfortunately, scammers are getting creative.

1. Deepfakes and Synthetic Identities

Fake voices and AI-generated faces aren’t just sci-fi anymore. A recent Regula study found that 43% of healthcare providers have encountered audio deepfakes, and 41% have faced video fakes.

Imagine a fraudster pretending to be a doctor or patient, using a deepfake video to access services or promote fake treatments.

Real Example:

In 2024, a deepfake ad popped up on Facebook showing a fake doctor (based on a real Australian expert) promoting unapproved diabetes supplements. The real doctor had to issue a public warning to undo the damage.

2. Medical Identity Theft

No video call? No problem—for fraudsters, anyway. They can book appointments, get prescriptions, and rack up bills in someone else’s name using stolen or fake IDs.

Real Example:

A woman in Arizona was shocked to receive bills for hundreds of thousands of dollars—services she never used. Someone had stolen her identity to access care across multiple providers. Authorities never found the culprit.

3. Insurance Fraud

In insurance-based systems, fake or stolen identities can lead to massive fraud. Think phony claims, fake patients, and multiple policies under different names.

Real Example:

One New York scammer faked calls, impersonated patients, and scammed insurance companies out of $336 million. He’s now serving a 12-year sentence.

4. Account Takeovers

Leaked login credentials from data breaches? They’re gold for cybercriminals. Once inside a patient portal, they can steal info, order drugs, and even threaten victims for money.

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Making Identity Verification Smarter (and Smoother)

So, how do we fight back? By strengthening IDV across the board. Here’s what helps:

Document Verification

Modern IDV tools scan IDs in real time, checking layout, fonts, holograms, and embedded security features. In countries with biometric passports or digital IDs, RFID chip checks add even more security.

Liveness Detection

To catch AI fakes, systems like Regula Face SDK look for real human traits—like subtle movements and light reflections—that deepfakes can’t replicate. No blinking mannequin faces allowed.

Face Matching

A simple selfie compared to your ID photo or government database can stop impersonators cold. Combine it with document checks, and you’ve got a solid defense.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Passwords alone? Not enough. Add biometrics—like facial recognition or fingerprint scans—for stronger, smarter login processes. MFA also helps prevent insider fraud by limiting access to sensitive info.

Age Verification

Some services are 18+ only. IDV tools can check date of birth, detect underage ID formats (like vertical U.S. driver’s licenses), or require two forms of ID—especially in countries like the UK.

Automated Onboarding

The smoother the sign-up, the better. Tools like Regula Document Reader SDK extract personal data from IDs in seconds, cutting down on typos and speeding up verification—no selfie retakes needed.

Final Thoughts: Identity Verification Is the New Stethoscope

Telemedicine has changed how we access care, but it’s also changed how we secure it. As fraudsters get smarter, remote healthcare providers must stay one step ahead.

Identity verification isn’t just a checkbox. It’s your frontline defense against fraud, misinformation, and costly data breaches.

Want to make sure your patients—and your business—are protected? Regula’s IDV solutions combine facial biometrics, document authentication, and liveness detection to help you do just that.