When news is released that a Blue Cross affiliate has been the victim of a cyber breach, it raises concerns about our local health insurers. In this case, there was a sophisticated, external cyber-attack on Anthem Blue Cross, which operates in 14 states. Independence Blue Cross has released a statement confirming that their information system was not breached. However, arrangements exist between “Blues” so that local members can receive care when they travel or when local customers provide coverage for employees sited in Anthem’s markets. For that reason, there is always the possibility that data about IBC customers could have been compromised. They are monitoring the situation very closely and, once they determine if any personal information of IBC members was impacted, each person will receive written notification, along with free credit monitoring and identify protection services. Per my previous Blog, IBC addressed this for their own members as a result of a recent inadvertent breach when janitors mistakenly moved boxes containing member information to the trash rather than to an alternate file room.
As always, if you have any questions, please let us know.