Banner

Article

Congress frees doctors from 'Red Flags' rule

The U.S. Congress passed a bill in December that exempts doctors, nurse practitioners, and non-medical professionals from the Federal Trade Commission's "Red Flags" Rule, which helps protect consumers from identity theft.

The U.S. Congress passed a bill in December that exempts doctors, nurse practitioners, and non-medical professionals from the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) "Red Flags" Rule, which helps protect consumers from identity theft.

The bill, the Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010, amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act by exempting healthcare providers from implementing identity theft prevention and notification programs. Medical and other trade groups protested the regulation claiming it would be burdensome and is unnecessary.

The FTC delayed enforcement of the "Red Flags" Rule on 5 occasions since 2007, allowing Congress to design a legislative remedy.

Related Videos
The new standard for medical malpractice: A conversation with Daniel G. Aaron, M.D., J.D.
The new standard for medical malpractice: What to watch for
The new standard for medical malpractice: A step toward ending defensive medicine?
The new standard for medical malpractice: Can doctors be liable for doing what everyone else does?
The new standard for medical malpractice: What makes a clinical guideline legally defensible?
The new standard for medical malpractice: What it means for day-to-day practice
The new standard for medical malpractice: What changed?
The new standard for medical malpractice: Why the law just changed
ACP policy update 2025: A conversation with Brian E. Outland, PhD
ACP policy update 2025 interview