Company that owns two Iredell County hospitals says medical records compromised
Community Health Systems, the company that owns Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville and Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville, says some patients’ medical records were exposed.
According to the company’s report to the federal government, this impacts close to one million people across the country.
ALSO READ: Patient concerned after potentially exposed to viruses during procedure at Atrium
Community Health Systems uses a cybersecurity firm called Fortra. According to Community Health Systems, Fortra had a “security incident” at the end of January and patient data was compromised, including names, addresses, medical billing and insurance information, diagnoses, medication, and social security numbers.
Community Health Systems is mailing letters to impacted patients and offering them free credit monitoring for two years. The deadline to enroll is June 30.
The company told Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke:
“On February 13, 2023, Community Health Systems filed a Form 8-K disclosing that Community Health Systems’ data has been exposed as a result of a security incident experienced by Fortra’s GoAnywhere platform, which we understand impacted other companies as well. An investigation determined our own systems and those of our affiliates were not compromised or impacted by Fortra’s security incident.
“Although the incident occurred on Fortra’s systems, Community Health Systems is notifying individuals known to be affected and offering them identity restoration and credit monitoring services at no cost to them. Letters are being mailed to individuals whose personal information is known to have been compromised. A notice also has been posted to the Community Health Systems website and our affiliates’ websites for potentially affected individuals.
“Safeguarding the privacy of the personal information our patients, employees, and communities entrust to us is a responsibility we take very seriously. We will do everything we can to support individuals affected by Fortra’s security incident.”
Community Health Systems has posted more information about the incident on its website here.
ALSO READ: More patients potentially exposed to viruses during Atrium Health procedures
Advice from Action 9:
- Keep a close eye on your bank accounts.
- Freeze your credit.
- You’re entitled to a free credit report each year so take advantage of that. In fact, you can get a free report from each of the three credit reporting agencies, so space them out about every four months and don’t get them all at the same time. Go to annualcreditreport.com or call 877-322-8228.
(VIDEO: Drivers find personal medical records scattered on I-85 in Charlotte)
