Hack at UnitedHealth's Tech Unit Impacted 192.7 Million People, US Health Dept Website Shows
In a shocking revelation, the US Department of Health and Human Services' website has disclosed that a cyberattack at UnitedHealth Group's tech unit last year affected an astonishing 192.7 million people, making it the largest healthcare data breach in the United States to date.
A Growing Concern for Patient Safety
The hack, which was disclosed in February last year, was carried out by hackers who identified themselves as the "Blackcat" ransomware group. This malicious attack not only disrupted claims processing but also impacted patients and providers across the country, causing widespread concern for patient safety.
A Higher Estimate Than Initially Reported
In January, UnitedHealth Group had estimated that the breach at Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth, affected the personal information of 190 million people. However, according to a spokesperson from UnitedHealth, the final total number of individuals impacted is approximately 192.7 million.
What Personal Information Was Impacted?
The information made vulnerable in the UnitedHealth attack is believed to include sensitive data such as health insurance member IDs, patient diagnoses, treatment information, and social security numbers. Additionally, billing codes used by providers were also compromised.
A Record-Breaking Breach
The cyberattack at UnitedHealth Group's tech unit has shattered the record for the largest healthcare data breach in the US to date. The sheer scale of this breach raises serious concerns about the security and confidentiality of sensitive patient information.
A Call for Greater Vigilance
As the US health department continues to update its list of data breaches, it is clear that greater vigilance is needed to protect against such malicious attacks. Healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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