FTC Delays Enforcement of Identity-Theft Rule Until 2011

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today – just days short of the June 1 deadline – that it is further delaying enforcement of the "Red Flags" Rule through Dec. 31, 2010. The delay comes on the heels of an AMA lawsuit and ongoing Congressional consideration of legislation that would exempt several business types, including physicians and dentists. Several members of Congress had requested that the FTC halt implementation so that the legislation passed in the House last year could be acted on by the Senate. 

The Academy has worked with a coalition of health care associations to try to persuade the FTC that physicians are not "creditors" and therefore should not be subject to the rule. More information can be found on an FTC website dedicated specifically to the rule and its implementationn an rule and its implementation. For more information, e-mail aaoe@aao.org.