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Last year, more than 15 million Americans received some kind of virtual medical care, according to the American Telemedicine Association. The trade group expects the number to jump by 30 percent this year. Nearly three-quarters of large companies will offer telemedicine doctor visits as part of their health packages this year, an increase from 48 percent last year. In a nod to the large role telemedicine soon may play in health care, Johns Hopkins Medicine this summer created the first administrative position and office dedicated to the practice. Among the tasks of the new office is developing policies and guidelines around the use of telemedicine. (McDaniels, 10/31)

One in five Americans says that they’ve been a victim of identity theft or attempted identity theft in the past year, and most of us are familiar by now with the steps to take if your identity has been compromised. The process is a hassle, but it typically takes just a few days and involves minimal financial losses, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The consequences for one form of identity theft can be much more severe, though. Cases where thieves steal your Social Security number and health insurance info to fraudulently obtain medical services or treatment can be much more difficult to detect or resolve. (Braverman, 10/31)