14,305 Patients of Main Line Endoscopy Centers Affected by Phishing Attack

by | Apr 4, 2019

Main Line Endoscopy Centers, a group of outpatient endoscopy facilities based the Malvern, Bala Cynwyd, and Media regions of Pennsylvania, has notices an unauthorized person obtained access to the email account of one of its staff members following a response to a phishing email.It is not yet known exactly when the account was breached, but it was noticed by Main Line on January 30, 2019.

A leading computer forensics consultancy was hired to assist with the investigation and determine which, if any, emails in the account had been viewed and whether any patient information had been impacted. The investigation showed that the hackers potentially gained access to the protected health information of certain patients, which included names, dates of birth, and limited clinical details. Some patients also had their Social Security number, driver’s license information, and/or health insurance information accessed.

All patients impacted by the breach were sent breach notification letters on March 29, 2019 and people whose Social Security number or driver’s license number were exposed have been provided with complimentary identity theft protection services for one year at no cost.

As a precautionary measure, all individuals impacted by the breach have been advised to keep a close eye on their accounts, explanation of benefits statements, and credit reports closely for any indication of fraudulent use of their information.

To enhance security and prevent more breaches, Main Line has provided further training to all staff to improve email security awareness and warn them to the threat from phishing. Multi-factor authentication has been put in place to stop accounts from being accessed in the event that further details are compromised along with other security measures.

The breach has been made known to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights. The OCR breach portal states that 14,305 patients were impacted by the breach.

Raise the level of HIPAA Awareness in your organization with Learner-Friendly, Comprehensive and Affordable HIPAA Training.

COMPREHENSIVE HIPAA TRAINING

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy is a highly accomplished journalist and editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. With expertise in writing and editing content, Patrick has made significant contributions to various publications and organizations. Over the course of his career, Patrick has successfully managed teams of writers, overseeing the production of high-quality content and ensuring its adherence to professional standards. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of journalistic principles, have allowed him to create cohesive and engaging narratives that resonate with readers. A notable area of specialization for Patrick lies in compliance, particularly in relation to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He has authored numerous articles delving into the complexities of compliance and its implications for various industries. Patrick's comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations has positioned him as a go-to expert, sought after for his insights and expertise in this field. Patrick's bachelors degree is from the University of Limerick and his master's degree in journalism is from Dublin City University. You can contact Patrick through his LinkedIn profile:

Raise the level of HIPAA Awareness in your organization with Learner-Friendly, Comprehensive and Affordable HIPAA Training.

Comprehensive HIPAA Training

Used in 1000+ Healthcare Organizations and 100+ Universities

    Full Course - Immediate Access

    Privacy Policy