McLaren Health Care, a Michigan-based non-profit healthcare, suffers from a serious data breach. Now, the health firm confirmed that millions of information have been exposed on Thursday, Nov. 9.
The American healthcare confirmed that data breach on Oct. 10, saying that cybercriminals were able to breach its systems on July 8.
McLaren Health Care added that the cyberattack lasted until August. If you are living in Michigan and are among the health firm's clients, here are the latest details you need to know.
Michigan-Based McLaren Health Care Data Breach Update
Engadget reported that the data breach that attacked McLaren Health Care confirmed that information of more than 2 million Americans was exposed.
People familiar with this matter said that the Michigan-based health firm conducted an investigation into the impact files and made a conclusion on Oct. 10.
However, it took another month before McLaren Health Care decided to notify its consumers.
"Potentially affected current and former patients of McLaren are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft," said the American health company.
McLaren Health Care explained that this can be done by reviewing account statements and explanations of benefits for unusual activity.
This will allow existing and former patients to report any suspicious happening promptly to their healthcare provider, insurance company, or financial institution.
What Information is Affected?
A person claiming to speak for activist hacker group Anonymous is seen issuing a warning through a video circulated online to "go to war" with the Singapore government over recent Internet licensing rules on November 1, 2013. Activist group Anonymous hacked a Singapore newspaper website on November 1.
Via its official website, McLaren Health Care clarified that not all information was leaked by the latest data breach. But, many sensitive details were still exposed by the cyberattackers.
These include the following:
- Health insurance information
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Physician information
- Medical record number
- Medical information including billing or claims information diagnosis
- Medicare/Medicaid information
- Prescription/medication information
- Diagnostic results and treatment information
Since all the mentioned patient information above is quite sensitive, McLaren Health Care said that after learning about the cybersecurity breach, necessary safety measures were immediately taken.
"Notice was also provided to federal law enforcement and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," said the non-profit organization.
It promised that it remain committed to completely complying with all federal and state requirements, as well as maintaining transparent and timely communications with its patients and the community.
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