<div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/confidential-info-taken-from-med-center-patients/article_bbc3aa82-f779-591a-9660-0a12813def15.html">http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/confidential-info-taken-from-med-center-patients/article_bbc3aa82-f779-591a-9660-0a12813def15.html</a><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><br><div><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail-subscriber-preview"><p>A federal agency is investigating a breach of confidential information from patients at certain Med Center Health facilities.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Irregularities
were discovered during a January internal investigation, and the
information was then given to law enforcement officials, who discovered
the apparent breaches happened August 2014 and February 2015, according
to a news release from Med Center Health.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>“When
Med Center Health reported this incident to law enforcement, they asked
that Med Center Health delay notification to patients or public
announcement of the incident until now so as not to interfere with their
investigation,” the release said. “Now that law enforcement’s request
for delay has ended, Med Center Health is notifying patients as quickly
as possible. We are actively working alongside law enforcement
throughout their continued investigation into the matter.”</p></div>
<div id="gmail-tncms-region-article_instory_top" class="gmail-tncms-region gmail-hidden-print"></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Asked
Wednesday morning to identify the agency investigating the breach, Med
Center Health Vice President Doris Thomas said: “Because the incident is
subject to a continuing federal investigation you have to submit your
questions in writing.” The Daily News did so but had not received a
response by press time Wednesday.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>David Habich, chief counsel for FBI in Louisville, confirmed it was his agency investigating the matter, which was ongoing.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>What
is known is that Med Center Health determined a former employee
obtained certain billing information by creating the appearance that he
or she needed the information to carry out their job duties. The patient
information was on an encrypted CD and encrypted USB drive and included
names, addresses, Social Security numbers, health insurance
information, codes for diagnoses and procedures and charges for medical
services.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Patient medical
records were not included in the inappropriately obtained information,
so medical histories and treatments have not “and will not be affected
by this incident,” according to the release.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>“Med
Center Health is committed to protecting the security and
confidentiality of our patients’ information. We apologize to our
patients who have been impacted by this misuse of information,” Med
Center Health CEO Connie D. Smith said in a news release. “It is
important for our patients to know that we are not aware of any evidence
indicating that the billing records were being used to cause harm. We
have been working alongside law enforcement on their continued
investigation and greatly appreciate their involvement in this matter.”</p></div>
<div id="gmail-tncms-region-article_instory_middle" class="gmail-tncms-region gmail-hidden-print"></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Information
was taken for certain patients who were treated at The Medical Center
at Bowling Green, The Medical Center at Scottsville, The Medical Center
at Franklin, Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital, Cal Turner Rehab
and Specialty Care and Medical Center EMS between 2011 and 2014.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Affected
patients will be notified in writing within two weeks with an offer of
free credit monitoring and identity protection services for one year. In
addition, notification letters will be sent to the insurance
subscribers and patients’ guarantors whose information might also have
been contained in the records.</p></div><div class="gmail-subscriber-only"><p>Med
Center Health has established a call center to help answer patient
questions. The call center is toll free at 844-420-6490 and is open from
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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