Anthem Cyber Attack Update: NC Impacts and When to Expect Letters
We along with other Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans remain in close communication and continue to receive updates from Anthem about impacts from the recent cyber attack. Based on data provided by Anthem, BCBSNC customers who received medical services or lived in one of the 14 states served by Anthem since 2004 may have been affected.
Those affected include 180,204 current or former BCBSNC customers; 69,266 of these consumers are NC residents. Fewer than one percent of these consumers may have had their Social Security numbers compromised. While this is the most accurate information we have at this time, this information could change slightly as Anthem’s investigation continues.
Anthem will notify affected customers directly via U.S. mail. These letters will begin being mailed March 9th forward, and the company is offering two years of free credit monitoring and identity protection to concerned consumers.
Customers don’t have to wait for an official notice to arrive in the mail; anyone who is concerned can visit www.AnthemFacts.com or call 877-263-7995 to sign up for identity protection today.
Why are BCBSNC customers affected?
If you received care in any of Anthem’s service areas within the past ten years, your claims information may have been retained in Anthem’s database. For example, if you visited a doctor while traveling or living outside of North Carolina, a medical claim was sent on your behalf, from the local Blue Cross and Blue Shield company that received it, to BCBSNC for processing.
This ensures that claims are processed based according to your benefit plan, and that you receive all discounts agreed upon between health care providers and the Blue Cross Blue Shield company that received the claim.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re a BCBSNC customer, and did not receive medical services or live in one of the states served by Anthem, you are not affected.
Please know that we take our customers’ privacy very seriously, and understand the frustration that this situation has caused. We’ll continue to work closely with Anthem and share any other updates here.
More information is available at http://www.AnthemFacts.com or by calling Anthem’s hotline at 877-263-7995.
