Health Information Management

Montana health department breach affects as many as 1.3 million

HIM-HIPAA Insider, July 14, 2014

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

Hackers recently gained unauthorized access to a computer server at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), according to a statement released by the department.

 
Department officials began an investigation May 15 after detecting suspicious server activity. Investigators determined May 22 that hackers accessed a Montana DPHHS computer and gained access to client data including names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers. Information about services the clients received or applied for may have been accessed as well. The Montana DPHHS shut down the server upon discovering the breach. The department notified affected individuals July 3, but does not believe anyone inappropriately used or accessed the data, according to the statement.
 
Several news outlets, including Reuters, reported that the hackers may have gained access to the personal information of 1.3 million individuals.
 
This article originally appeared on HCPro’s HIPAA Update blog. Stay up to date on all things HIPAA by signing up for e-mail updates from this blog.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

    Briefings on APCs

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • HIM Briefings

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentation can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Insider

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular