Hack at UnitedHealth's Tech Unit Impacted 192.7 Million People

A devastating cyberattack at UnitedHealth Group's tech unit has left a staggering 192.7 million people vulnerable to identity theft and exploitation, according to the U.S. health department's website. The breach, which was disclosed in February last year, is now the largest healthcare data breach in the United States to date.

Initially, the company had estimated that the hack at Change Healthcare, a unit within UnitedHealth Group, affected the personal information of 190 million people. However, after further investigation, the final total number of individuals impacted by the cyberattack has been revised upwards to approximately 192.7 million. While this number will vary in each state due to differences in reporting and data collection, it is clear that the breach has had a profound impact on patients and providers across the country.

The unit was infiltrated by hackers who identified themselves as the "Blackcat" ransomware group, causing widespread disruptions in claims processing and crippling the healthcare system. The attackers targeted sensitive information, including health insurance member IDs, patient diagnoses, treatment information, and even social security numbers, as well as billing codes used by providers.

"The final total number of individuals impacted by the Change Healthcare cyberattack is approximately 192.7 million," said a UnitedHealth spokesperson. This staggering figure underscores the severity of the breach and highlights the need for improved cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive healthcare information.

The breach was also made public on a list of data breaches maintained by the US Department of Health and Human Services' office for civil rights, providing a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cyberattacks in the healthcare sector. As patients and providers navigate the aftermath of this devastating breach, it is clear that the importance of robust cybersecurity cannot be overstated.