HMSA: 14,000 members’ data stolen in cyber attack
The exterior of the HMSA Building along Keeaumoku Street in 2010.
An estimated 14,000 former or current members of Hawaii Medical Service Association may have had their personal information stolen recently in a cyber attack against Premera Blue Cross in Washington state.
HMSA, the state’s largest health insurer, said late Monday about 300 HMSA providers who cared for a Premera member at some point since 2002 were also affected.
The members could be affected because they saw a doctor, visited a hospital or had medical services in Washington or Alaska since 2002 or their doctor ordered lab tests or medical equipment on their behalf from the mainland.
Information stolen may include names, birth dates, email and mailing addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, HMSA membership numbers, bank information, and claims information, including clinical information going back to 2002.
“However, we think it’s highly unlikely that our members’ Social Security number, email, telephone number, or financial information was accessed,” Mike Gold, HMSA president and chief executive officer, said in a letter to members posted on HMSA’s website. “As a practice, we do not share that information about our members. No data was stolen from HMSA and our systems weren’t involved in the attack.”
Affected members will receive a letter from HMSA in a few days with information on free services paid for by Premera that can help keep personal information safe, Gold said.
In February, HMSA said an estimated 18,000 current and former members had their personal information stolen during a cyberattack on Anthem Inc., a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan that serves residents in 14 states.
“In light of the Premera and Anthem hacks, we’re taking an even harder look at HMSA’s security controls,” Gold added. “We’re enhancing our layers of security and have extended monitoring of our systems. I’m truly sorry that the Premera cyber attack may have affected our community.”
For more information, call HMSA at 948-6404 on Oahu or 800-459-3963 toll-free on the neighbor islands or the mainland. Phone line are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
