Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Premera Blue Cross Data Breach Could Touch 11M Consumers
The Wall Street Journal: Premera Blue Cross Says Cyberattack Could Affect 11 Million Members
Health insurer Premera Blue Cross said hackers gained access to the personal information of around 11 million consumers, including bank account and clinical data for some. Premera, a Washington state-based not-for-profit, said it detected the breach on Jan. 29, but the incursion may have initially occurred last May. The records exposed could include names, birthdays, Social Security numbers and addresses, as well as bank-account information and health data from claims paid by the insurer, said Eric Earling, a Premera spokesman. (Wilde Mathews and Yadron, 3/17)
Los Angeles Times: New Health Insurance Data Breach In Northwest; 11 Million May Be Affected
A data breach may have exposed sensitive information of 11 million customers and employees of a major health insurer in the northwest United States. Premera Blue Cross, based near Seattle in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., said it discovered Jan. 29 that it had been the victim of a “sophisticated attack” that gained access to its information technology systems. (Pfeifer, 3/17)
The Associated Press: Premera Blue Cross Says Data Breach Could Affect 11M People
Premera Blue Cross, a health insurer based in the Pacific Northwest, said Tuesday that it was the victim of a cyberattack that could affect 11 million people. The company said hackers gained access to its systems on May 5 and that it did not discover the breach until Jan. 29. (3/17)
CNN Money: Premera Health Insurance Hack Hits 11 Million People
A large American insurer said Tuesday that hackers broke into its computer systems last year, exposing the data of 11 million people. Premera Blue Cross, based in the Pacific Northwest, said hackers "may have" accessed millions of health profiles that included Social Security numbers, birthdays, emails, physical addresses, bank account information, clinical information and detailed insurance claims. (Pagliery, 3/17)
Modern Healthcare: Cyber attack Exposes Data Of 11 Million Premera Blue Cross Members
Premera Blue Cross, a health plan in the Pacific Northwest, was hit with the second-biggest cyberattack in healthcare industry history, exposing the personal, financial and medical information of more than 11 million customers. The Mountlake Terrace, Wash.-based company discovered the attack on Jan. 29, 2015. An investigation revealed that the initial attack occurred May 5, 2014. The breach affected Premera Blue Cross, Premera Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alaska, and Premera affiliate brands Vivacity and Connexion Insurance Solutions. (Rubenfire, 3/17)
