The opioid epidemic has spurred this latest twist on data collection and sales, with providers trying to judge how much and how long a patient may safely take opioids. (Image: Shutterstock)

As if you didn't already share enough (maybe too much?) on Facebook and Twitter, a lot of personal data that you didn't even know existed is being shared online—records such as insurance claims, digital health records, housing records and all the things your friends and acquaintances have to say about you. And lest you think otherwise, the market for this data is huge.

According to a Politico report, companies are cashing in on Americans' health care data. Not only are they not asking consumers' permission, many don't even know about it.

One of the things companies are using that data for is create patient “risk scores,” which are then sold to doctors, insurers and hospitals to help them identify patients in certain risk categories, including higher risk of opioid addiction or overdose. Based on this information, an institution may deny coverage or raise rates for a patient or otherwise alter the treatment plan.