Brigham and Women's Hospital Data Breach

Understanding the Brigham and Women's Hospital Data Breach

The recent cybersecurity incident at Brigham & Women's Physician Organization, Inc (BWPO) has raised concerns for many. If you're among those potentially affected, it's important to understand the specifics of what happened and what personal information was compromised.

What Happened?

On January 29, 2024, BWPO was informed by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of a cybersecurity incident that occurred between March 28, 2023, and April 17, 2023. It's crucial to note that the breach did not take place within BWPO's systems or network.

What Information Was Involved?

The breach potentially exposed a variety of personal information, including:

• Names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Medical record numbers
• Dates of birth
• Health insurance information
• Clinical information such as lab results, procedures, medications, and diagnoses

Thankfully, Social Security Numbers and financial information were not involved in this incident.

What Steps Are Being Taken?

BWPO has taken measures to address the issue and prevent future occurrences. They've implemented corrective actions in line with their policies and have received confirmation that the affected data has been permanently deleted by the responsible BWPO part-time employee and Harvard Pilgrim.

What Can You Do?

If you believe you're affected by this breach, there are several steps you can take to protect your personal information:

• Review your account statements from healthcare providers and insurers for any discrepancies.
• Update personal information with your healthcare provider.
• Consider placing a security freeze on your credit files.
• Regularly check your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus.
• Place a fraud alert on your files to make it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.

For more detailed guidance, BWPO has provided a Reference Guide to help you navigate the aftermath of the data breach.

Seeking Further Information

If you have questions or need assistance, BWPO encourages you to reach out via email at bwhcHIPAA@partners.org or by calling their toll-free number at 833-294-2020 during business hours.

BWPO expresses deep regret for any concern or inconvenience caused by this incident and is committed to maintaining the privacy and security of your data.

By taking the appropriate steps outlined above, you can help safeguard your information and mitigate the potential impact of the data breach. For further assistance and resources, you can also consult the Federal Trade Commission for additional advice on protecting your personal information.