NHBR Article

Nationwide data breach hits N.H. physicians

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

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The largest health insurer in the country has begun informing providers in New England and around the country about a potential security breach.

The laptop of a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association employee at the company's headquarters in Chicago was stolen in August, and contained physicians' personal identification information from providers nationwide, possibly affecting doctors in New Hampshire. Information included names, addresses and medical provider and tax identification numbers.

Chris Dugan, spokesperson for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, said that “locally, we are working closely with the national level to make sure local physicians that have been impacted by the breach have all the information they need” in dealing with the situation.

Although Dugan did not immediately know how many New Hampshire physicians had been affected by the breach, he did say letters were sent out last week informing them of the situation.

Dugan said no patient data or claims data was part of the breach.

He also said BCBSA will provide credit monitoring for a year for affected physicians.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of 39 BCBS plans, 14 of which are Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, including New Hampshire. — CINDY KIBBE/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW

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