What You Need to Know
The Bellin Health data breach impacted over 20,000 individuals, compromising names and health information due to unauthorized access detected on October 27, 2023, related to patients who purchased home care equipment between 2006 and 2013.
- Company Name: Bellin Health
- Date Filed: Unspecified
- Number of People Affected: Over 20,000
- Data Breached: Name, Health information
Who’s Affected & What Data Was Breached
Affected Customers
Over 20,000 individuals are potentially affected by the Bellin Health data breach. The breach pertained to patients who purchased home care equipment during the period from 2006 to 2013.
Compromised Data
The type of information that may have been exposed includes patients’ names and health information. Details on specific health information accessed have not been disclosed.
Bellin Health Data Breach Summary
Discovery and Scope of the Breach
Bellin Health, a healthcare system serving Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, underwent a serious data breach event. It was discovered that an unauthorized actor potentially accessed sensitive personal information within their systems.
Details of the Incident
The initial signs of the data compromise were detected on October 27, 2023. As a result of the breach, protected health information and personal identifiable information belonging to over 20,000 individuals may have been exposed.
Information Affected
The information potentially exposed in this breach primarily includes patient names and health information. The data breach concerned patients who received services or purchased home care equipment from Bellin Health between 2006 and 2013.
Notification of Affected Individuals
On December 19, 2023, Bellin Health began the process of notifying individuals whose information was at risk as a result of the incident. These notifications were intended to alert affected individuals and provide them with guidance on how to proceed.
Steps for Impacted Patients
Patients affected by the data breach were advised to take specific measures to secure their information. Recommendations included reviewing the breach notification letter, enrolling in credit monitoring services provided by Bellin Health, and changing passwords and security questions for online accounts. Further advice was to monitor account statements and credit reports for signs of fraudulent activity, and to place a temporary fraud alert with credit bureaus.
Ongoing Response
Bellin Health is continuing to investigate the breach and is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The healthcare provider has not disclosed further specific measures taken following the breach or the results of their ongoing investigation.
About Bellin Health
Overview
Bellin Health is a comprehensive healthcare system that has been operating since its establishment in 1907. Originating in Wisconsin, Bellin Health has grown to serve residents in both Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Services Offered
The healthcare entity provides a multitude of medical services. These encompass preventative healthcare, cardiac care, orthopedics, sports medicine, and a range of specialized services such as digestive health, mental health, and endocrinology.
Facilities and Care Centers
Bellin Health has expanded its reach beyond its hospitals. The organization operates 42 locations that include a combination of primary care facilities, specialty care sites, and hospitals to meet the varied needs of their patient base.
Primary and Emergency Care
A significant number of the 42 locations operated by Bellin Health are dedicated to primary care. Emergency care services are readily available, ensuring patients have access to critical care when it is needed most.
Home Care Equipment
In addition to in-patient and out-patient medical services, Bellin Health also provides home care equipment. This service is significant for patients who require ongoing medical support in the comfort of their homes.
Employment
Bellin Health is also an employer in the healthcare sector, providing jobs to over a thousand individuals across various disciplines in the medical and support fields.
Customer Base
The customers of Bellin Health are individuals seeking medical care and services. This includes both one-time and long-term patients, as well as those in need of specialized medical equipment for home care.
Use by Patients
Patients utilize Bellin Health for a vast array of healthcare needs ranging from routine check-ups and preventive care to specialized treatments and emergency interventions. The organization aims to cater to the comprehensive health requirements of their patient base.
Data Breach Incident
Bellin Health recently identified a data breach affecting the system’s stored personal identifiable information and protected health information. The incident compromised details of patients who had interacted with their home care equipment services between the years of 2006 to 2013.
Notification and Response
Following the discovery of the breach, Bellin Health began the process of notifying potentially affected individuals and took steps to mitigate the situation. Those impacted were offered guidance to protect their personal data and contact options for further assistance.