Almost half of Americans were affected by data breaches in 2014. Feeling safe in this increasingly regulated and unsecure world is a misconception of the greatest proportions. As we discussed previously, agents and brokers are directly liable to individuals and the government for misuse of client information. Meaning the government will fine you directly. And depending on the severity of the incident, clients have the right to sue you for negligence as well.
Here are the top six health care breaches agents and brokers should know about. Learn from these breaches, so the same thing doesn’t happen to your clients.
1. NFP – Maschino, Hudelson & Associates
A laptop was stolen from this Oklahoma insurance agency and contained nearly 4,000 individuals’ information.
2. DeLoach & Williamson
This south Carolina broker had a laptop stolen containing information of more than 3,4000 individuals. They closed immediately after the breach.
3. Anchorage Community Mental Health Services
A breach affecting 2,700 individuals was due to unsupported software. The facility paid $150,000 and adopted a government-recommended corrective action plan.
4. Anthem, Inc.
Hackers stole information of 78.8 million individuals, the largest health care data breach to date. HHS and the FBI are investigating Anthem.
5. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Employees printed out screen shots of more than 5,500 individuals’ information and used it to access credit cards and gift cards.
6. Premera Blue Cross
Hackers gained access to 11 million consumers’ information. The state insurance commissioner, senators and HHS are investigating. There are also 5 lawsuits pending against Premera.
Learn more about how one breach forced an agency out of business at our webinar August 27th. Register now.
