The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has reported a data breach involving the personal health information of approximately 19,150 Medicaid members. The breach occurred at Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW), a partner organization that supports people with disabilities in accessing healthcare and legal services. As a third-party vendor, DRW was entrusted with sensitive patient information necessary for its operations.
The breach was identified when DRW noticed unusual activity in an employee’s email account, indicating unauthorized access. While the exact date of the breach or its discovery has not been specified, both DHS and DRW are actively investigating the incident to address and resolve any issues that arise from it.
On June 21, 2024, DRW began notifying the affected Medicaid members about the breach, informing them of the potential exposure of their information. In response, free credit monitoring services for one year were offered to those impacted. A dedicated helpline was established to assist individuals with questions or concerns starting June 24, 2024.
Medicaid members, primarily from low-income backgrounds, are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of such breaches, including stress and financial fraud. The impact on this demographic underscores the importance of addressing data security breaches promptly and providing adequate support to those affected.
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