Safeguard Your Data Following Large-Scale Health Data Breach

In February, a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a major healthcare payment processing company, resulted in the theft of the personal and health information of over one million individuals, including some Pennsylvania residents enrolled in Medicaid and other health insurance programs.

Across the country, tens of thousands of doctors, pharmacies, and insurers use Change Healthcare's technology to verify insurance, confirm pre-authorization of procedures and services, and oerform other tasks involving the exchange of electronic healthcare information.  The Change Healthcare breach is the largest healthcare data breach in the United States to date. The information stolen includes individuals' contact information, health insurance information, medical records, billing details, and/or other personal information, such as Social Security numbers. The Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is currently investigating the incident.

In June, Change Healthcare began notifying affected individuals about the data breach on a rolling basis. Some recipients received their letters only recently. The notifications offer two years of free credit score monitoring and identity theft protection services. These services can be requested by visiting www.changecybersupport.com or by calling 1-888-846-4705.

According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Henry, all residents of Pennsylvania are eligible for free credit monitoring and identity theft protection, even if they do not receive a letter from Change Healthcare. Individuals also have the option to freeze their credit with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Change Healthcare’s website provides additional details on the cyberattack, details on the types of information that was stolen and other options to protect personal information.