Data breach in S.C. affects 228K Medicaid beneficiaries

Jeff Byers | | Health Exec | Policy & Regulations
Cybersecurity - 140.80 Kb
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) discovered this month that a Medicaid employee inappropriately transferred personal information for 228,435 Medicaid beneficiaries to their personal email account, constituting a violation of agency policy.

In addition to terminating the employee, the department immediately contacted the S.C. Law Enforcement Division to investigate the incident and also informed other state and federal agencies.

More than 90 percent of the affected beneficiaries live in six counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Lexington, Orangeburg and Richland. For affected beneficiaries, SCDHHS is offering free services to protect them from possible identity theft. Affected beneficiaries will receive a letter from SCDHHS with further instructions. 

SCDHHS added this incident does not involve medical information and does not affect any current beneficiaries’ Medicaid eligibility status.

Jeff Byers

Related Content

Report: UnitedHealth under investigation by DOJ for Medicare Advantage upcoding
FDA approves first therapy for very rare lipid storage disorder
FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary
FDA ends semaglutide shortage, closing the door on compounded Wegovy, Ozempic
American Heart Association highlights importance of NIH as battle over Trump funding cuts continues
Federal judge sides with FTC; case against PBMs to move forward

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
American Heart Association highlights importance of NIH as battle over Trump funding cuts continues

“Now more than ever, we must recognize that our country’s leadership in groundbreaking medical research spurs scientific innovation, improves public health and creates new innovations that save and improve lives nationwide,” Joseph C. Wu, MD, PhD, explained in a statement. 

Cardiovascular Business
Cardiologist questions FDA’s approval process for high-risk medical devices

The technology used to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular disease is always evolving, keeping FDA officials quite busy. But have the agency's standards been slipping in recent years? A cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explored that very question.

Cardiovascular Business
FDA announces new recall of Johnson & Johnson heart pumps over safety concerns

No devices need to be returned at this time. However, the FDA warned, using these heart pumps without reviewing the updated instructions could result in "serious injury or death.”