Massive Breach of Healthcare Data

UNITEDHEALTH BREACH IMPACTING MILLIONS

It is difficult to keep up with the number of breaches happening in this country – on an almost daily basis. In addition to the recent attacks at AT&T and National Public Data, there was a massive breach at Change Healthcare − which includes United Healthcare. This likely covered “a substantial proportion of people in America,” according to the organization. The US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights noted that the cyberattack’s effect had “unprecedented magnitude.” As with many of the current breaches, this attack happened months ago – in February of this year. But those who may have been affected are only receiving letters about it now. According to Kiplinger, in the spring there were major disruptions in healthcare, that included “problems with insurance approvals, including payments systems and Medicare reimbursements. Those disruptions were because the company was shutting down certain accesses to try to stop the attack.” As Congress investigated the breach, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty admitted that the company had paid a $22 million ransom to the hackers in response to their demands after the patient data-leak. Although not the same for all of the affected people, personal information that was leaked includes: names and dates of birth, social security numbers, driver’s license information, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, health insurance member and group ID numbers, and Medicare payor ID numbers, health information, including medical record numbers, diagnoses, test results, medicines and treatment, billing and claim information, including billing codes and claim numbers, and payment information. If you are an EverSafe member, feel free to call Customer Care at 888-575-3837 if you believe you may have been affected by this breach and have questions. As with other large breaches, you should pay close attention to any Dark Web alerts you receive and monitor your social security file and financial accounts regularly. Change Healthcare also has a dedicated call center available for questions at 1-866-262-5342.

Alcohol Consumption Linked to Cancer Deaths

NEW STUDY FINDINGS ARE BAD NEWS FOR COCKTAIL LOVERS

The New York Times recently reported on a large study in the UK, which tracked more than 130,000 seniors to research the question of whether there is any connection between their alcohol consumption and their health. The findings of the study, published earlier this month, found that there is a correlation between drinking alcohol and adverse health outcomes, including cancer fatalities. The risk was heightened in those who had existing health problems or who lived in low-income areas. The study also debunked a popular myth − that consumption of wine, even at moderate or low levels, had any beneficial effects on cardiac health. Dr. Rosario Ortolá, an assistant professor of preventive medicine and public health at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the lead author of the paper, stated that alcohol consumption likely raises the risk of cancer “from the first drop.”

GOVERNMENT / LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION MAKES PROGRESS

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed the bipartisan Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S.4776). This legislation will now move to the full Senate. The bill supports critical programs and services for Americans age 60 and older. The provisions include adding elder abuse training to our National Family Caregiver Support Program, an increase in funding to aging organizations including the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, and first time funding for the Native American Elder Rights Program. You can read the details of the bill here.

SCAM ALERT

FRAUDSTERS POSING AS LAW ENFORCEMENT 

Scammers are constantly fine-tuning their schemes to ensnare unsuspecting victims. A new crop of frauds involves scammers posing as law enforcement officers. They contact potential victims, demanding that they pay fines related to phony court cases, jury duty fees, unpaid taxes, speeding tickets, or even warrants issued against family members. The fraudsters have been using names of real police or sheriff officials and spoofing the telephone number to make it appear as though it’s coming from a legitimate law enforcement agency. Some of the fake police officials threaten arrest if the fee isn’t paid and direct the victim to buy a prepaid money transfer card and provide the card number. Some New Yorkers have paid more than $100,000 to keep them or their family members’ freedom – believing that they are paying fines and warrants that are non-existent. It’s important to remember that legitimate law enforcement officials do not make phone calls and threaten arrest – if fines aren’t paid or demands aren’t being met. Just hang up and report the call to local law enforcement. You can also file such a complaint with the Department of Justice at www.ncdoj.gov/complaint.

Olympics 2024

OLDER OLYMPIANS INSPIRE

The 2024 Olympics in Paris were spectacular. From July 26th to August 11th, amazing athletes from all over the world competed in sports from basketball to skateboarding. Laura Kraut, a 58-year-old equestrian show-jumper, won a Silver medal and in doing so became the oldest US Olympic medalist in 72 years. Here is a look-back, with the sports and ages of a few of the games’ oldest athletes:

• Meghan Musnicki, Team USA, rowing: 41 years old
• Diana Taurasi, Team USA, women’s basketball: 42 years old
• Malindi Elmore, Canada, track and field: 44 years old
• Andy Macdonald, Great Britain, skateboarding: 50 years old
• Nino Salukvadze, Georgia, shooting: 55 years old
• Laura Kraut, Team USA, equestrianism: 58 years old
• Steffen Peters, Team USA, equestrianism: 59 years old
• Ni Xia Lian, table tennis: 61 years old (Ni officially became the oldest table tennis player ever to secure a win at the Olympics)
• Jill Irving, Canada, equestrianism: 61 years old
• Pius Schwizer, Switzerland, equestrian: 61 years old
• Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Sweden, equestrian: 62 years old
• Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo, Spain, equestrian: 65 years old
• Mary Hanna, Australia equestrianism traveling reserve: 69 years old