Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing consumer protection reminders and raising awareness about the availability of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services following Change Healthcare’s February data breach.
In April, Nessel joined other attorneys general in sending a letter to UnitedHealth Group Inc. — the nation’s largest health insurer and the parent company of Change Healthcare — urging the corporation to take more meaningful action to better protect providers, pharmacies, and patients harmed by the recent breach.
Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth, is the nation’s biggest electronic data clearinghouse. Change Healthcare's technological infrastructure is used by tens of thousands of providers, pharmacies, and insurers to verify insurance, confirm pre-authorization of procedures or services, exchange insurance claim data, and perform other administrative tasks essential to the delivery of health care.
The February cyberattack interrupted operations for thousands of doctors’ offices, hospitals, and pharmacies. It also resulted in Americans’ sensitive health and personal data being leaked onto the dark web - a hidden portion of the Internet where cyber criminals buy, sell, and track personal information. The actual number and identity of affected patients are currently unknown.
Change Healthcare has publicly stated that the data breach could impact up to 1/3 of all Americans. Typically, when there is a data breach impacting Michigan residents, consumers receive an individualized letter or email if their data was impacted. However, Change Healthcare has not yet provided individual notice to consumers. Given the delay between the data breach and notification to those impacted, AG
Nessel is publicizing not just the breach, but also resources, including the offer that Change Healthcare has provided to the public.
“Healthcare data breaches are a growing concern, putting potentially millions of patients at risk,” Nessel said. “Michiganders who believe they were impacted by the Change Healthcare breach should consider the company’s free credit monitoring and identity theft protection offers. I remain committed to working with attorneys general across the country to protect consumers and ensure those affected have access to the resources they need. My consumer protection team is ready to assist victims of this cyberattack.”
Change Healthcare is offering ALL Michigan residents who believe they may have been impacted free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services for two years. The dedicated website and call center will not be able to provide individuals details about whether their data was impacted but can guide them through getting set up for the free credit monitoring and identity theft protections. Since Change Healthcare has not yet provided notice to individuals and the impact is very significant, the safest course of action is for everyone should assume that their information has been involved.
For information visit Change Healthcare Consumer support page - UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com/ns/health-data-breach.html)
To enroll in credit monitoring through IDX use the link at Change Healthcare Consumer support page - UnitedHealth Group or call 1-888-846-4705.
For additional support from Change Healthcare call 1-866-262-5342.
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