Change Healthcare issues notifications of patient data stolen in cyberattack

Editor's Note

Change Healthcare has started to notify health care providers about patient data stolen in the February cyberattack and announced plans to mail affected individuals as well. A unit of UnitedHealth Group, the organization issued the update June 20.

“CHC is providing this notice now to help individuals understand what happened, let them know that their information may have been impacted, and give them information on steps they can take to protect their privacy, including enrolling in two years of complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services if they believe that their information may have been impacted,” the announcement reads. 

The organization urges individuals affected to protect themselves via complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services. Other advice includes regularly monitoring health plan, bank, and other statements for unreceived services or other suspicious activity.

As announced May 31 by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Change Healthcare is responsible for notifying affected parties about privacy breaches resulting from the February cyberattack.