Highmark BCBS Delaware hit with security breach, affecting more than 19,000 members
State insurance department said it was made aware of the breach as a result of multiple consumer complaints.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware was recently hit with a security breach affecting 19,000 beneficiaries of employer-paid plans, the Delaware Department of Insurance announced.
The insurance department said it was made aware of the breach as a result of multiple consumer complaints, but did not elaborate on the nature of the complaints, whether the secure information of beneficiaries had been compromised, or how the breach occurred.
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The breach involves Summit Reinsurance Services and BCS Financial Corporation, both subcontractors of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, the state said.
It affects a total of 16 current and former Highmark self-insured customers and approximately 19,000 of their members, according to Karen Kane, director of privacy and information management for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware.
Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro has ordered an investigation into the reported breach. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware is cooperating with the Delaware Department of Insurance to resolve the matter.
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"I would like to ensure Delaware consumers that the Department of Insurance takes this matter seriously and is currently investigating how this occurred," Navarro said. " I have directed my staff to closely monitor the situation as it develops."
Summit Reinsurance Services has sent out correspondence to beneficiaries explaining the breach, Navarro said.
"Unfortunately, we fear that many may have misinterpreted or inadvertently discarded the letter as some form of a sales ad (due to the fact that they had not purchased any line of insurance from SummitRe)," he said.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
