As you likely already know, Anthem’s database was recently hacked. It appears that nearly all Anthem product lines were impacted. Anthem, the country’s 2nd largest health insurance carrier, reports that member information for some 80 million individuals may have been compromised in the attack. We should assume that all current and former Anthem customers are vulnerable and may have been affected.
Those Anthem plans and brands directly impacted include Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Amerigroup, Caremore, Unicare, Healthlink and DeCare.
This attack may include members of any Blue Cross affiliate that accesses Anthem’s network. Additionally customers of any Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies who used their Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance (BlueCard) to access Anthem’s provider network in one of fourteen states where Anthem, Inc. operates may be impacted.
Members of the BBG team will be attending a meeting this week to learn more. We’ll provide you with another update then. We’ll report to you about possible risks to customers and what Anthem is doing to mitigate those risks.
Our update will also include any relevant information about how this happened and what Anthem (and other carriers) is doing to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Below is a portion of the Anthem CEO’s letter to customers that’s posted on the Anthem website…
“These attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s IT system and have obtained personal information from our current and former members such as their names, birthdays, medical IDs/social security numbers, street addresses, email addresses and employment information, including income data. Based on what we know now, there is no evidence that credit card or medical information, such as claims, test results or diagnostic codes were targeted or compromised.
Anthem will individually notify current and former members whose information has been accessed. We will provide credit monitoring and identity protection services free of charge so that those who have been affected can have peace of mind.
We are hoping and looking for more specific information and what steps Anthem is going to take to control the potential harm so many of us are facing.”
To learn more:
– check out Anthem’s frequently asked questions on the data breach https://www.anthemfacts.com/faq
– read Anthem CEO Joe Swedish’s entire statement to customers https://www.anthemfacts.com/ceo