Insurance Department Monitoring Anthem Cyberattack, No Complaints To Date

The Arkansas Insurance Department said it is monitoring the situation involving the breach of data at Anthem, Inc. – a story first reported by Talk Business & Politics on Wednesday.

Some 39,000 Arkansas consumers were impacted by the massive data breach that hit Anthem in late January, including nine individuals in state who had their Social Security information breached, a spokesperson for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield confirmed.

The news of the data breach came nearly four weeks after Anthem announced that cyber thieves executed a sophisticated attack that gained unauthorized access to the insurance giant’s system, obtaining personal information on nearly 80 million people.

On Friday, state Insurance Commissioner Allen Kerr said his agency received preliminary information this week concerning Arkansans who may be impacted by the security breach at Anthem.

“While Anthem is not licensed to sell health insurance in Arkansas, there are Arkansas residents who are covered by Anthem group policies purchased by their out of state employer,” said Kerr. “In addition, some current or former members of other independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, such as Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, who received health care services over the last ten years in any of the areas that Anthem serves may also be impacted. This includes some state employees who have coverage through Health Advantage which is administered by Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield.”

Kerr said Anthem is working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to identify the source of this security breach.

In the meantime, the company has advised the insurance department it will notify impacted members by mail as to the steps they should take to protect themselves in the future. Anthem has arranged for identity protection for two years to those who may have had their personal information compromised. Enrollment information is available at www.anthemfacts.com or by calling 877-263-7995 which is a toll-free number Anthem has established to assist consumers.

“To date, the department has not received any complaints relating to the Anthem breach, but we are closely monitoring the situation and working with Anthem and its affiliates to ensure Arkansas consumers are protected,” Kerr said.